TOYOTA MR2 REVEALED BY BEST CAR MAGAZINE IN JAPAN

New generation Toyota MR2 is indeed returning to the market, according to the latest news from Best Car Magazine in Japan. The Best Car Magazine - which often reveals very accurate predictions - outlines a lot of details about the return of this legendary MR2. Two possible designs are being explored, both in full gas version and not hybrid or EV format. In addition, the magazine talks about next gen GR 86, next gen GR Supra, and potential for LFA II with 4.0-L twin turbo V-8. So much to learn from this newest rumors from Japan. David explains all in this latest video.
Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a director at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).
David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.

[@stevehunter7402]

MR2 with the square back looks perfect

[@fudo5594]

Please let this rendering be the one! Loving the retro, modern look.

[@user-uw6zr6tr9t]

This is the double deck. It definitely looks much better than the single "red color" deck.

[@SpacehotelMusic]

Yeah the red one just looks like a Ferrari body kit (and looks a bit dated already like an F360) but the double deck (best part about a 'proper' MR2 like my 88 Super Charger) retains Toyota's own design legacy so I hope it goes that way for sure.@@user-uw6zr6tr9t

[@SpacehotelMusic]

Side profile of the white/silver/grey one is perfect! Red one doesn't do much for me as it just looks too close to a Ferrari clone. I prefer the angular purposeful look of the grey one, similar reasons I've always preferred my MK1 (88 SC) to the soft looking MK2 and the bland looking MK3.

[@wrxsti2653]

I am just glad that Toyota is giving a middle finger to the EV world.

[@americandude3825]

Yup

[@MuShinnen]

They literally aren't. They have an entire ev market. That's not giving a middle finger to anything. This is even slated to be their last all ice sports car model in terms of new platforms.

[@americandude3825]

@@MuShinnen nay

[@MuShinnen]

@@americandude3825 Doesn't matter if you don't like it.

[@americandude3825]

@@MuShinnen I have read the new Toyota ceo say they only plan to make ev about 25% of their line up because majority doesn’t want it.

[@HumbleBearcat]

Wow, the new design language from Toyota and Lexus are so much better than just a few years ago. Just look at the current Prius vs the last gen. Looks like they hired a new design team. The Ferrari like design on the MR2 and the new Lexus coupe are amazing! This is so exciting for the auto industry!!.🤩

[@briangregus5225]

I was quite confused by the new Prius Prime. Visually a completely different animal. The mark II MR2 is an amazing car. I hope they capture out that balance and feel for this new MR2.

[@Abercrombemonkey]

Toyota/Lexus finally moved away from designing cars for senior citizens. Performance is still lacking though , hence Lc500

[@TheAceKannon]

@@Abercrombemonkeyto be fair, it is what it’s supposed to be: A plush comfy GT cruiser

[@0PsychosisMedia0]

Not that anyone will be able to afford it.

[@Mike_44]

I have been a Subaru fan for a few years now, I love its AWD system. But after they discontinued the STi, turbo Forester and manual transmission models, everything has been downhill disappointing. I might switch to Toyota, they keep their Sports cars and off-road segments quite alive! Way to go Toyota!

[@ferravette]

Someone said Toyota intentionally killed the Subaru performance segment to eliminate competition.

[@Mike_44]

@@ferravette That’ll be an interesting debate, but honestly do they need to?

[@dylan4972]

Emissions and electrification regulations, the talk about stepping on the toes of Toyota is laughable

[@MrDeadline34]

The new 2.4 motor that’s boosted that comes in the new wrx and ascent is really good Can make some power and is reliable the main problem for Subaru and most manufacturers is the CVT trans that goes out. So if you do get a wrx, get a manual

[@ericscottstevens]

Soon CVTs will rule the land. With their plastic parts, plastic fasteners, and inability to fix the issue unless you go to a dealership maintenance bay and they pry the thing open.

[@ElNietoPR]

I love the double deck version more. I really hope it’s not limited in numbers and that’s it’s not exclusive to Japan…🤞

[@ccabz08]

Reminds me of the F430

[@nathansharma87]

Won't be limited to Japan. Almost every car is designed, engineered and market placed for America now.

[@Wendigo1986]

EU will probably get fcked again , no Nissan Z for us... 😢

[@waynezw]

looks good! but it's pointless if it's not avaiable for us to buy one.

[@pan4632]

Only 50-100 units would be so disappointing :(

[@hauseofraf]

I’m loving where Toyota is going

[@alextaylor8776]

I owned two MR2’s back in the 1980’s, a 85 and 86. I absolutely loved them and always will. If Toyota actuality makes a new MR2 bring to North America.

[@byhsu6140]

I really like that white model.

[@rightlanehog3151]

David, You missed all the snow and ice in Vancoooouver.🥶 I always enjoy these tours of Best Car magazine. If Toyota builds a sports car that outperforms the GR Yaris, it will be a major accomplishment. I am a little disappointed not to see any more news of the Land Cruiser FJ in this issue.

[@georgejonson9463]

I really hope they offer one with three pedals 👍

[@pain.497]

Toyota really is the best JDM company that we all needed

[@christianlopez9558]

hopefully these would be "the flagship" models. But Toyota should highly consider that one of the fundamental characteristic of the 3 generations of the toyota MR2 is that it was it's affordability. 80K to 100K will be way too steep to maintain that affordability. Besides, didn't the 3 generations of the MR2 symbolized affordable fun cars to drive? One will bring up "get a miata" if you want an affordable small sports car. But the mid engine lay out of the MR2 makes it a better than the miata. As an autocrosser that owns a Gen 1, I will say that a small mid engine car (Toyota..LOL) is a lot more fun to drive than a MR small sports car. There's something "magical" about the feel of an MR car when you toss it around the course. "Dear Toyota please make the MR2 affordable to common people! I would like to get an affordable one to keep my Gen 1 MR2 company in my garage!"

[@Shadow1986]

Your forgetting how bad the suspension has been in all 3 generations whereas the miata came with aluminium double wishbone

[@Shadow1986]

Your forgetting how bad the suspension has been in all 3 generations whereas the miata came with aluminium double wishbone

[@Shadow1986]

Your forgetting how bad the suspension has been in all 3 generations whereas the miata came with aluminium double wishbone

[@valian8985]

@@Shadow1986 suspension were not that bad on the gen 3 as far as i know.

[@Alchemy2.0]

Nice I Just wish they had a New Pop Up Headlight Design

[@garyclark6747]

I previously owned a 1984 MR2 that was accessible to someone just starting out. To see this targeted well beyond the reach of many of its original owners is disappointing. I guess we’ll just have to pretend with a Corolla GR and forget about the mid-engine handling of yesteryear. 11:06

[@myoneblackfriend3151]

Thank you for your report.

[@rickproulx6667]

Being a MR2 owner I’m excited of this news!!

[@maximidius]

Man, I wish I still had my Gen 2 AW11, I absolutely loved that thing. I really hope they produce this!

[@norwegiantechnolover]

The rear end of the second rendering looks like the Ferrari SF90 😮

[@Ricky_H]

This is so exciting! Kudos to Toyota, bringing back the legendary midship! I used to own an SW20. Pleaseeee sell this in the US. 絶対買いますから～😀

[@Hobbes-jf1sq]

M(e)R(eady)2❤

[@DanQuentinJames]

Good information David, I hope in the future Toyota releases a GR version of ht Land Cruiser J250 in North America. I think it would be well received. Toyota sure has brought to market a lot of new/updated vehicles in 2023 & 2024.

[@Gee_Jay]

ONLY 50 to 100 Units, for 'True Collectors' ?? - - What a BUMMER ! ....

[@thlui]

This needs to come to the shores of the US!

[@redsunsmr284]

I'm still loving my sw20

[@valf.4589]

It looks gorgeous.

[@AccordGTR]

I drove my friend's original MR-2 decades ago. It felt amazing.

[@HKS01R]

Had the AW11 x 2 and still have a 500hp Sw20 lifetime MR2 fanatic 😂

[@Djexoticdancing69]

Thank you for the new design of the new MR2 video. I like to add that if it's gonna be a very expensive MR2 or whatever name they decide to give it, if it's gonna be a high-end price vehicle, it better have some power. It better have at least a 1000 horsepower if it's gonna cost around a 100000 dollars than tell Toyota not to even bother and save their money & invest it in a car that is gonna have some serious power and make sure it's a gas saver as well. That's where the money's at if you wanna sell something in a high digit number, beautiful design, though.

[@threeam____]

I don’t often watch upcoming car news, but after this video I think that’ll change. Assuming your information is accurate Im happy to subscribe ! 🖤

[@stevetubvang3034]

Can't wait to get one.

[@HigeYatsu]

Looks absolutely incredible, but at $100k and 50-100 units/Japan-only exclusivity, there's no reason for me to care about it unfortunately. I wish the market ethos was more in line with the original MR-2s.

[@whowantstoknow771]

I like the styling of it,it looks good 👍👍🖐️🤓

[@calabar92]

The silver on is stunning ❤. I hope this is the design they go with

[@Hobbes-jf1sq]

Great job on this one man. Please keep your ear to the ground. ANY news on the MR2 would be greatly appreciated. The titanium version has great mid engine exotic rear end. The front version of the red one is WONDERFUL. If they could combine the 2 it would be perfect. The red version, you said NSX, I’m seeing (with the badge in the middle and the light configuration) something a little more Mustang actually. And for that reason, I’m not loving it. The Titanium one, however WOW knocked it outta the park with that one. I’m seeing notes of Lotus and Ferrari and being that Lotus had a hand in helping with the MR2 Turbo from the 1990’s. I’m persuaded that, that evolution, that benchmark is where it needs to be, based on MR2 heritage. Skipping the Porsche boxster look of the Millennium (I didn’t love that one either) it didn’t quite share the genetic code of where the original platform of the MR2 came from and the next level of evolution that people were expecting during the time period. But this one, this one absolutely does. And it’s wonderful. Hopefully this is not a joke and the actual production model isn’t watered down emasculated version of what you’ve just shared with us. Once again, great job, keep doing what your doing and keep us all posted. ❤

[@swron_rules]

THIS IS GREAT!

[@eddieg6436]

Very excited for a new MR-2, but NOT coming to the U.S.?! How disappointing!! And $100,000?! …..seems like they could’ve turned a GR86 into a mid-engined design, with two seats, and sell it in the U.S. for $45,000!! 🤷🏼‍♂️. ……Still happy Toyota is back to producing sports cars, but disappointed about U.S. future for a 2 seat, mid-engined “reasonable” MR-2.

[@silversleeper484]

@Toyota, please bring back the T-Top or Targa Top. It's not an MR-2 without it. :) Love the T-Top

[@KenjiEspresso]

Wow that’s cool!

[@velafresh]

The red and yellow design looks the best

[@davidp605]

Looks sick

[@FurkanCemTurfanda]

If it is less than $50k US and available in America, I'll buy one no question.

[@flyinghedgehog3833]

Had Mk1 new in uk1985...brilliant!

[@gaycha6589]

Imagine a car the same size as the original MR2, sub 1200kg, and running the Yaris GR 3 pot with 300hp.

[@barrydraper]

Cool! That could easily reach supercar status merely by dropping the high revving Lexus 5.0 liter NA V8 into it.

[@yvonjasser]

Do you know what a mr2 is? A v8 would never fit in there.

[@barrydraper]

@@yvonjasser If you can fit a 5.0 V8 into a Miata, you can make one fit in the new MR2. It's not rocket science. It's engineering. Nothing's impossible...

[@yvonjasser]

@@barrydraper a 225hp pushrod 5.0 in a Miata is the opposite of good engineering and they drive like shit

[@pedrofrancisco4844]

If the the MR2 comes with a T-top I would get one.

[@GeoffSeeley]

So basically might be unobtainium... Guess I'll continue to enjoy my SW20 GT-S 🙂

[@pan4632]

did they say if the next gr86 will be 2.4 hybrid or 1.6 hybrid?

[@SpacehotelMusic]

as an owner of a dark blue '88 MK1 Super Charger I'm more a fan of the grey/angular car. Didn't like the mk2 or 3 as they went to softer styling (among other reasons), but the MK4 (and MK1 SC) would be great book ends to the entire MR2 legacy (even if we can't actually buy one for sensible money and outside of Japan).

[@gangsta_pigeon8023]

i just can’t believe it till we see it, i really hope so though

[@jywn]

great news

[@RyanLarivee]

Any word on the LC or RC

[@basharathussain5999]

The silver design is supperb

[@jesterzubrata]

That white design is emm so good

[@secret5.]

Toyota has life again! The flat back design looks amazing! Give us manual and purest version in US please.

[@klein2252]

Looks good, assuming it’s less expensive than an LC500, I might grab one of these!

[@mb4lunch]

Love it

[@supay6537]

US Toyota dealerships salivating thinking about $20,000 markup..

[@fifthward1983]

$30,000 markup

[@ytsux9259]

Nah!

[@michael-masi-2021]

$100k

[@donalking5460]

Toyota/lexus are on fire David, thanks for all the great info you bring us. Much appreciated.

[@mrd.808]

Looks like a mini LFA, that'll be dope

[@lexnite22]

How does one get on the list for an allocation?!

[@BethSJ]

Are you going to honda factory any time in the future

[@basharathussain5999]

Silver design they have nailed it

[@ayopoipaye7086]

I'm really looking forward to the New MR2. I like the rear of the double deck back design and the front end design of the red option..... Really hope they don't make them limited and Japan-exclusive. Because that will leave me and I imagine, many intending buyers Disappointed.

[@MOLRobocop]

I'm not a Best Car reader. But I would like to see a look at their prediction/rendering compared to the eventual release model.

[@mushy18100]

If Toyota goes to the route like that, all Japanese Car makers will follow for competition purpose. This is a good sign.

[@Gargamoth]

Very nice cars, but I wonder if the small 1.3 engine is really sufficient.

[@Hobbes-jf1sq]

OMG I’m seeing love notes to Lotus, the original MR2, love notes to the late Lexus LFA in the genetic codes of its design, especially on the titanium version -the vents, the diffuser. I can’t get away from this car today. Goodnight, if it looks like that -get it. If it don’t look like that… but I hope it does. Save money, pay in full in cash, no loan, no financing -just get it done. I hope that’s the one a lot of concepts out recently like their seeing how the market responds before building I hope the titanium one, is the one. If not, I don’t know.

[@ShenmueAtheist]

As a W30 owner, if this ends up being true I will make it my goal in life to buy one, especially if the non-hybrid ICE rumor is true.

[@UltraStunts]

One of my most favourite cars that I owned was my 1985 MR2. I had it in my late teens early twenties. I think the product choices for this new one like potentially offering manual, gas only, and mid engine are perfect for a car like this. 2 things that i think would be mistakes for Toyota would be to 1) limiting the numbers and 2) making it a 3 cylinder. I think a big chunk of the target market for this car would be people such as myself (high income earning years with disposable income) So paying $70k would not be a problem. But I would not pay $70k for a 3 cylinder no matter how tuned up it is. For the North America market the 3 cylinder does not make sense in my opinion. The bigger mistake however, in my opinion would be making this in limited numbers so that it becomes a collectors only car. If this is a final "celebration" then build one for everyone who will buy one. The purpose of the halo car is to elevate the brand and build goodwill. Frustrating people who would like to buy this car with limits, dealer markups and making them impossible to get will do the opposite. Let Lexus have the collectors car. In the 2000s when Toyota stopped making sports cars I stopped buying Toyotas. I would probably have bought other Toyota SUVs etc if I didn't feel like the brand abandoned enthusiasts at the time. For this car I could come back to Toyota if they make it a true enthusiasts celebration car for people who will drive them, share them, enjoy them, show them. To do this you need to be able to buy one without feeling like you got screwed. When you buy one of these cars you want to feel like Toyota appreciates your business and the enthusiast buyer. The current trend of screwing enthusiasts by making special models impossible to get unless you are a rich collector is harming car culture.

[@minhlu3518]

Hopefully it will looks great like these drawings.

[@stevenhall4444]

They need to bring back the Toyota solara but as an actual sports car thing was sweet

[@feral4mr2]

aw11 ftw!! I'll believe there's a new mr2 when I see it on the show room floor.

[@NitrousXProductions]

I like the 2nd design looks like a car from Ridge Racer. Very bold and futuristic

[@bngr_bngr]

Glad to see this car in gas only.

[@dogbutter99]

i am going to have to buy one

[@tonycosta3302]

I’ll take either one. Time to see how much my WRX will get on trade in.

[@JT-wk2zp]

That silver version is beautiful. Too bad it’s rumoured to be only for the Japanese market. I would sell my Lexus LC500 to get this if it was released in Australia.

[@kdpwt]

Damn this is high quality content lol

[@miltonrivero1017]

I use to have a toyota MR2 2004 it was the best car i ever owned it was beautiful sexy attractive just so much fun to drive , i'm happy with the new body of the MR2 but they need to make more of this new car so other people can afford this beautiful car because i want one and 80,000 makes it hard to reach for some people i love this car it is iconic and it's meant for me ....

[@valian8985]

80 000 is stupid exepensive, you can get porsche 911 for only 30K more, and even tho it love the MR, its meant as a reasonable and afordable sport car, puting such a pricing on it would kill it.

[@nrs6956]

Thank you. Am not sure, from personal experience, as to what MR2 buyers presently would pay for such!

[@jamesclapp6940]

With this layout of the chassis it reminds of the 914 Porsche/VW

[@technics-n-thuiast8346]

So many rumors about MR2. Some say MR2 will be 3 cylinder mid engine sports car and Celica is the electric version. Others wrote Toyota is merging those two into a one model. Either way I am excited even if it ends up being Japan only model. No surprises there too, not the first time Japan is keeping good stuff for themselves. Previous MR2's did look so much like a mini Ferraris ( last model like a Porsche if I may say so ) so perhaps this one will find inspiration in a ....McLaren, Lamborghini...? :)

[@imazman]

Hoping for the white rear deck and rear end!

[@A861967]

I recon the double lift rear will be the design as it’s more conventional as per TMC ethos design ❤

[@WardSpose]

Can't wait to park it next to my 94 Sw20. Let's go.

[@YourPalQWERTY]

I really wish Toyota would Use the 1GZ-FE engine for more cars. It’s such an excellent engine.

[@sethm10]

Can not wait. So glad not an EV

[@kalmmonke5037]

as media you need to create demand for proper cars: i have driving fun to not be bored and non attentive partially for saftey reasons, i do it by trying to get max miles per gallon and not wearing out the tires by using them to slow down a lot . its like old school endurance racing at more relaxed pace(if you arnt in a rush to get to places quickly), you minimize need for pitstops for fuel tires lubricant etc. for example, you preserve momentum around turns instead and speeding up again, but dont loose traction. . you brake and steer minimally but steadily, build up momentum downhills and at optimal rpm and power level according to bfsc chart for the engine (electric motors also have this ) . you maintain speed that is less than roughly 50 mile per hour (if car is more areodynamic, you can tolerate higher speed, but cutting through the wind becomes exponentially less effceint as you increase speed linearly). although climate crisis stuff isnt proven to be caused by humans or to be getting much worse near out times as happened before to humans, and the politics is obviosuly led by people who dont care about it, chemcial toxicity affecting food supply and sustainability og the buisness model of car design, are good reasons to do this if the money savings means nothing to you. t weight is less safe t to people outside the car involved in crash, and unsafe to people inside car unless its more expensively built. weight exponentially worsens road longveity before repairs are needed, causing emission , monetary costs too, etc. not necessary: drive.google.com/file/d/1EG0dKAd3yuIRnND73W80v5i4CNe-EOzA/view?pli=1 pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/design/design-parameters/equivalent-single-axle-load/ i think electric asited turbo on hybrid better than ev because: if you wanna lower emissions as long as possible as mass scale , you use a mix of combustion of non fully recyclable and currently rarely ever recycled, battery mass. whatever mix lasts longest. weight is less safe t to people outside the car involved in crash, and unsafe to people inside car unless its more expensively built. weight exponentially worsens road longveity before repairs are needed, causing emission , monetary costs too, etc. it also worsens tire dust emisions and brake dust emissions expoeentially: drive.google.com/file/d/1EG0dKAd3yuIRnND73W80v5i4CNe-EOzA/view?pli=1 pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/design/design-parameters/equivalent-single-axle-load/ magnetic reversal news , tony heller, tom nelson www.corbettreport.com/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9566750/ www.greencarcongress.com/2022/05/20220513-ea.html#:~:text=Emissions%20Analytics%E2%80%99%20results%20suggest%20around%2011%25%20of%20the,more%20than%20400%20times%20higher%20than%20tailpipe%20emissions. natural rubber and better brake metal can minimize problem to some bodily crash saftey improved by strong lower end of car jumping to level with incoming cars, especially taller sitting and bigger cars, to minimize damages. audi a8 does ths but maybe it should be cmbustion based like seatbelt explosives, to minimize weight. rearseatfacing rear (figure out why im saying this, and youll deserve knowing it )

[@chrisguest3452]

looks mint, only draw back would be the $80K for 3cyl price

[@levyarchitecture]

cool

[@blackbelt2000]

the one in white gets my vote

[@Mattisttam]

The Lexus LC and RC in North America have had super slow sales. I hope Toyota increases the production numbers to help with this segment.

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Very nice looking , not so sure about the engine with the price of the car , a lot can change before 2026.

[@drdiabeetus3061]

Only 50 to 100 units?! These are going to get dealer markups like crazy! Very cool looking car no doubt. But a car that will only be a dream for your average car enthusiasts. These will be purchased by car collectors before their VINs are even assigned.

[@cervanteforfun1864]

Gas version would be the best for the market now how the dealerships will kill the sales with markups is the real factor.

[@Scisca1a2a]

The grey one is stunning! But I was hoping it'd not only was available in Europe/US, but also was going to be cheaper than a Supra, since it's based on the Yaris. Making it limited and expensive is a crime 😥 I wanted to celebrate the last affordable mid-engine sports car, but will Toyota let me?

[@AliasHSW]

I like the white

[@phillipmitchell5879]

Good news indeed! (Redundant video could have been done in 3 minutes vs. 11.)

[@mariahensley4042]

I want it in white!

[@ShenmueAtheist]

I also wonder if Toyota is planning on axing the Supra soon (possibly because BMW is discontinuing the Z4 soon?) and this will be replacing it in 2025 or 2026 with this.