Revived Toyota MR2 GR Steals Lots of Supra DNA for Its Unofficial Mid-Engine Return

Over there, Toyota will try to daze and amaze with its new battery-powered concepts called FT-3e and FT-Se. Alongside them, everyone interested in what Japanese automakers have to offer needs to tune in on the inaugural edition of the 2023 Japan Mobility Show at the end of the month because a lot of quirky things are going on there.

Nissan, for example, is giving us three 'Hyper' concepts – and one of them is hyper-ugly rather than Hyper Touring. On the other hand, Mazda is keeping us on the brink with a mysterious concept that may or may not signal the beginning of the next-gen EV lifestyle for the iconic MX-5 Miata. However, all eyes will be on Toyota because the largest Japanese automaker is possibly full of surprises.

Aside from those two concepts, the company might also bring out the 'Land Hopper,' a third Land Cruiser version alongside the full-size J300 model and the newly introduced 2024 Land Cruiser (250 or Prado in various regions). This one retains the body-on-frame TNGA-F platform from the bigger siblings, but it will shrink down to compact levels to show the Ford Bronco Sport how a proper off-road SUV is done.

Additionally, the rumor mill recently went berserk when hearing whispers that Toyota might even consider bringing back the beloved Celica and MR2 nameplates. We have no idea if the reports will pan out at the Japan Mobility Show or not, but it is never a bad idea to come prepared – or at least that's the vision of the imaginative realm of digital car content creators.

As such, a lot of pixel masters have quickly started dreaming about the return of the two-seat mid-engine RWD sports car, especially since the reports are also speaking of this modern MR2 being revived under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner with exclusive ICE-powered mojo coming from the GR Yaris and GR Corolla's G16E-GTS turbo inline-three cylinder mill. However, do you think everyone thinks the same about the looks of the reborn MR2?

For example, the Halo oto channel on YouTube had its pixel master imagine the feisty Toyota looking quite retro, unlike anything they currently sell on the international markets. Meanwhile, PoloTo, which is a distinctively-named automotive news video channel on YouTube - and they also share visions of new models created with assistance from AI – has cooked an MR2 that looks like a GR Supra with larger side vents and the engine slapped behind the seats.

Alas, that's impossible to achieve if they want their predictions for a $16 to $26k price range to come true. As such, maybe the idea of making a GR Supra with mid-engine passion is not that bad – however, it should be treated as the new flagship GR model, not the cheapest of the bunch. Thus, maybe the vision from REC Trends is better, with the AI-designed MR2 GR looking like a ritzy addition to the roster rather than a dirt-cheap one!

So, which is your favorite, and do you think Toyota should recreate the MR2 GR as the new entry-level model slotted even below the $28,400 GR86? Or is it more logical to imagine that – if the rumors pan out – the modern revival will take the form of a luxury offering much in the same way as the C8 Chevy Corvette – and the new MR2 GR would look a lot ritzier and sport a higher tune of the 1.6-liter engine from GR Yaris and GR Corolla?