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Toyota Teases GR Line Up: Supra MK6, Celica MK8, MR2 MK4, 86 MK3 and GR GT
Captain_Kirk
Well-Known Member
https://www.carscoops.com/2025/07/toyotas-mid-engine-sports-car-just-hit-a-serious-snag/
Toyota’s Mid-Engine Sports Car Just Hit A Serious Snag
The GR Yaris M concept has suffered a series of setbacks, potentially impacting the rumored MR2 revival
The concept was created to “explore the potential of the GR Yaris” and would compete in the Super Taikyu Series to gather feedback in the “extreme conditions of racing.” Fast forward nearly seven months and things aren’t going well.
Tucked away at the bottom of a racing release, Toyota provided a brief update on the GR Yaris M. They said the model is “undergoing full team development in pursuit of further possibilities for the GR Yaris, with a view to participating in the Super Taikyu Series.” However, they conceded that “many challenges have been identified.”
The company is working to address the issues, but noted “there are difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving.” Given this, the car didn’t compete at the Autopolis last weekend.
Toyota said they decided not to compete in the race in order to further refine the vehicle. Despite the setback, the automaker plans to enter future races as part of its effort to make better “motorsports-bred cars.”
While the candor is welcome, the issues are disappointing especially considering rumors have suggested the concept could be a test bed for a new MR2 and engine. This means any delay or problem could potentially impact future production models.
Toyota’s Mid-Engine Sports Car Just Hit A Serious Snag
The GR Yaris M concept has suffered a series of setbacks, potentially impacting the rumored MR2 revival
- Toyota has admitted they’re having problems with the mid-engine GR Yaris M concept.
- The automaker specifically mentioned issues related to “braking, steering, and driving.”
- These problems prevented the GR Yaris M from racing last weekend at Autopolis.
The concept was created to “explore the potential of the GR Yaris” and would compete in the Super Taikyu Series to gather feedback in the “extreme conditions of racing.” Fast forward nearly seven months and things aren’t going well.
Tucked away at the bottom of a racing release, Toyota provided a brief update on the GR Yaris M. They said the model is “undergoing full team development in pursuit of further possibilities for the GR Yaris, with a view to participating in the Super Taikyu Series.” However, they conceded that “many challenges have been identified.”
The company is working to address the issues, but noted “there are difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving.” Given this, the car didn’t compete at the Autopolis last weekend.
Toyota said they decided not to compete in the race in order to further refine the vehicle. Despite the setback, the automaker plans to enter future races as part of its effort to make better “motorsports-bred cars.”
While the candor is welcome, the issues are disappointing especially considering rumors have suggested the concept could be a test bed for a new MR2 and engine. This means any delay or problem could potentially impact future production models.
johnny_10196
Well-Known Member
This stuff happens, I mean it is a test mule after all. We're probably years away from a new MR2. I expect we'll see the GT production car soon and maybe the Celica sometime next year.
KahnBB6
Well-Known Member
The GR GT3 / Lexus LFR looks to be near ready for production. The Celica... Toyota perplexingly seems to be using that nameplate for its new MR2 which has hit this snag.
That is, unless Toyota is actually planning to sell a different chassis with the name "Celica" after all. They should.
The 3rd gen GR86 (either as a 2-door coupe 2+2 or maybe as a compact sedan like the Altezza) is still moving forward to replace the current gen.
The S-FR small roadster (and its Daihatsu Copen and Suzuki Cappuccino co-developed siblings) is supposedly moving forward as a regular class small Miata sized car (not a Kei chassis) and the GR Starlet (not for the U.S.) is also moving forward.
And the MKVI Supra a couple of years from now.
Bryster
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the SFR being Miata sized is actually disappointing, i loved the idea of a lil bugger Toyota
KahnBB6
Well-Known Member
The GR Starlet (in FWD only configuration) and S-FR/Copen/Cappuccino (as longitudinal RWD) are supposed to be using the same engine: a detuned and destroked version of the G16-GTS at 1.3L and 150hp.
A Kei class vehicle can't use an engine that displaces beyond 0.6L so there's one reason it'll be larger. A second would be to be able to sell any of the three sibling small roadsters outside of Japan. I'd love to see it available in the U.S.
If the rumor is totally incorrect and the trio does end up being Kei class then they'll still be great. We just won't get to experience them in the U.S. for a quarter of a century just after factory replacement parts have already begun to get discontinued and scarce.
johnny_10196
Well-Known Member
The article from Bestcar makes no sense about the Celica and MR2 being a merged into a single model. The Toyota executive said in the MotorTrend interview that the Celica is near completion. Now we're learning that the Yaris Frankenstein mid engine test mule (I'm assuming for a new MR2) is having issues. Logical they can't be the same car.
gymratter
Well-Known Member
it was never a small car to start with
3,990 mm = 157 inches
https://global.toyota/en/detail/9737083/
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