A few months back we shared with you some speculation that Toyota was working in concert with a partner to revive two of its iconic models. The rebirth of the MR2 and the Celica would allow the Japanese automaker to offer consumers a fiery triumvirate of models that were once venerated by sports-car fans.
Up until now, Toyota has partnered with two companies to carry through projects: BMW for the Supra/ZR4, and Subaru for the 86/BRZ. Toyota has previously made reference to another agreement with Subaru to develop a third sports model.
In the past few days rumours of a mid-engine sports model being in development have resurfaced. And when it comes to these types of rumours, there’s rarely smoke without fire.
Especially when you consider recent remarks by the engineers in charge of the development of the Supra, Tetsuya Tada, who referred to the Supra, Celica and MR2 as the brand’s three brothers of the 80s and 90s decades. Tada also added that he would like to bring the models back into the Toyota fold in the near-future.
Clearly, a lot of circumstantial evidence is pointing in the same direction.
For the moment, we know very little about the mechanics that will sit behind the seats. The second-generation MR2 was sold with a turbo engine, and a similarly equipped follow-up seems to us a logical move. What’s more, Toyota and Subaru are working on a 2.4L engine that will be deposited into the next generation of the 86/BRZ duo. A turbocharged version of this engine is not a far-fetched idea.
A story to follow in 2019…