Toyota Teases GR Line Up: Supra MK6, Celica MK8, MR2 MK4, 86 MK3 and GR GT

[johnny_10196]

Toyota engineers and racing drivers gave us more information about the development of a mid-engined production model

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/01/toyota-hints-at-mr-something-with-2-0-liter-turbo-and-awd/

It sounds like it was pinned as an EV from the get-go and now Toyota is trying to shoe horn in the 2.0 at the last minute. If so, I hope it doesn't cause any major delays.

Sponsored

 

[supraboi]

A chop with the corporate face that Toyota is slapping onto all of their new models.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/365687/new-toyota-mr2-all-confirmed

 

[KahnBB6]

What, you're saying these evocative and composed designs aren't the absolute pinnacle of automotive design? ?

s

It has been my snarky assumption that BMW's recent grille-tastic designs have all been the work OF AI

(No, I don't really believe that but honestly it's exactly what I would expect if it were actually so.)

 

[KahnBB6]

Overall I'm seeing so much "MR2" in this evolving concept of theirs (and now its powertrain) that it'll just feel weird if Toyota badges it as a "Celica".

The Celica has always been a higher volume and much more accessible sports coupe than this thing which is shaping up to be the proper spiritual successor to the MR2 Turbo SW20.

If it will really be this way then maybe it will be called "Celica MR2"??

If the Celica will not be a more volume oriented and lesser priced two door sports coupe in the lineup then that puts all the pressure of that two door coupe role onto the third generation GR86... since the Supra and MR2 are both expensive two seater only upmarket sportscars.

Previously it seemed to make sense that with the Supra and new MR2 both filling the two-seater vehicle roles and with a 3rd gen GR86 possibly becoming a compact sport sedan (just like the 98-05 Altezza did as a different follow-up to the AE86 Corolla), the new Celica would then become the accessible and affordable two door coupe with a couple of sport engine options and a range topping AWD turbo new "GT-Four" trim.

But if the "Celica" is just going to be the badging on what is really an MR2 then at the entry level of the GR lineup the GR86 3rd gen needs to remain as the semi-affordable two door coupe for those who don't have $70k-$100k USD to spend.

Interesting juggling Toyota is doing here. Hopefully we'll have clearer details about what they're actually doing before too long.

The MR2-like model hasn't even progressed to a full prototype just yet (that we've seen) beyond just the concept designs and Yaris M drivetrain test mule.

 

[Loco38SUP]

Overall I'm seeing so much "MR2" in this evolving concept of theirs (and now its powertrain) that it'll just feel weird if Toyota badges it as a "Celica".

The Celica has always been a higher volume and much more accessible sports coupe than this thing which is shaping up to be the proper spiritual successor to the MR2 Turbo SW20.

If it will really be this way then maybe it will be called "Celica MR2"??

If the Celica will not be a more volume oriented and lesser priced two door sports coupe in the lineup then that puts all the pressure of that two door coupe role onto the third generation GR86... since the Supra and MR2 are both expensive two seater only upmarket sportscars.

Previously it seemed to make sense that with the Supra and new MR2 both filling the two-seater vehicle roles and with a 3rd gen GR86 possibly becoming a compact sport sedan (just like the 98-05 Altezza did as a different follow-up to the AE86 Corolla), the new Celica would then become the accessible and affordable two door coupe with a couple of sport engine options and a range topping AWD turbo new "GT-Four" trim.

But if the "Celica" is just going to be the badging on what is really an MR2 then at the entry level of the GR lineup the GR86 3rd gen needs to remain as the semi-affordable two door coupe for those who don't have $70k-$100k USD to spend.

Interesting juggling Toyota is doing here. Hopefully we'll have clearer details about what they're actually doing before too long.

The MR2-like model hasn't even progressed to a full prototype just yet (that we've seen) beyond just the concept designs and Yaris M drivetrain test mule.

I thinks they will stick with the Celica name and then somewhere down the line turn it into the reborn Celica-Supra. As they slap on hybrid power adders it will be more readily accepted. Its a marketing ploy to get us to accept EVs in sports cars.

BTW, nice paragraph structure.

-RJM

 

[gymratter]

It sounds like it was pinned as an EV from the get-go and now Toyota is trying to shoe horn in the 2.0 at the last minute. If so, I hope it doesn't cause any major delays.

i posted this in the FTse thread but this is what @ichitaka05 shared on the 86 forum

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3595563&postcount=21

When I first saw the design (yr or maybe yr & half ago), exterior color was blue-ish color. Didn’t expect they change the color. Plus they were calling it different name. They also change few exterior design: I wonder they did that to fit the EV concept instead of hybrid.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

https://bestcarweb.jp/news/scoop/1092037

Toyota's Vice President Makes It Clear!! Will the long-awaited legendary car, the Celica, be resurrected?

Rumors of a "Celica revival" have been simmering for a long time. During a talk show, Best Car's editorial director Hongo asked the question, "Is there going to be a Celica?" Toyota's Vice President Yuki Nakajima responded with a full swing to the question, a fastball straight down the middle! "We're doing a Celica!" A Toyota insider finally confirms the revival!! What kind of car will it be!?

Vice President Yuki Nakajima declares, "We're going to do the Celica!"

At the WRC Rally Japan 2024, where Toyota made a comeback and became the Manufacturers' Champion, Vice President Nakajima Yuki actually stated that the "Celica will be revived."

During a talk show at Toyota Stadium, the company's base, he answered a question from our magazine's editorial director, Hongo Hitoshi, and declared the start of development, saying, "To be honest, there's no sign of it right now. However, there are many voices within the company who are eagerly awaiting the Celica. So... I wonder if it's okay to say this in a public forum... but we're doing the Celica!"

It is highly likely that the car will be equipped with the newly developed 4-cylinder 2L turbo engine unveiled in May 2024, with a maximum output of over 400ps. The drive system will be full-time 4WD, and the GT-FOUR, which was once a big success in the WRC, will be revived.

As expected, the details of the power unit were not discussed, but it is certain that it will be a pure gasoline turbo rather than a HEV.

Of course, carbon-neutral fuel can be used as is, and the engine is also considering compatibility with liquid hydrogen fuel, which Toyota is currently evolving in the Super Taikyu race. The new Celica GT-FOUR is expected to start production in 2027.

 

[supraboi]

For what its worth, Toyota trademark MR2 late last year.

https://trademarks.justia.com/988/50/mr2-98850876.html

 

[FLtrackdays]

https://bestcarweb.jp/news/scoop/1092037

Toyota's Vice President Makes It Clear!! Will the long-awaited legendary car, the Celica, be resurrected?

Rumors of a "Celica revival" have been simmering for a long time. During a talk show, Best Car's editorial director Hongo asked the question, "Is there going to be a Celica?" Toyota's Vice President Yuki Nakajima responded with a full swing to the question, a fastball straight down the middle! "We're doing a Celica!" A Toyota insider finally confirms the revival!! What kind of car will it be!?

Vice President Yuki Nakajima declares, "We're going to do the Celica!"

At the WRC Rally Japan 2024, where Toyota made a comeback and became the Manufacturers' Champion, Vice President Nakajima Yuki actually stated that the "Celica will be revived."

During a talk show at Toyota Stadium, the company's base, he answered a question from our magazine's editorial director, Hongo Hitoshi, and declared the start of development, saying, "To be honest, there's no sign of it right now. However, there are many voices within the company who are eagerly awaiting the Celica. So... I wonder if it's okay to say this in a public forum... but we're doing the Celica!"

It is highly likely that the car will be equipped with the newly developed 4-cylinder 2L turbo engine unveiled in May 2024, with a maximum output of over 400ps. The drive system will be full-time 4WD, and the GT-FOUR, which was once a big success in the WRC, will be revived.

As expected, the details of the power unit were not discussed, but it is certain that it will be a pure gasoline turbo rather than a HEV.

Of course, carbon-neutral fuel can be used as is, and the engine is also considering compatibility with liquid hydrogen fuel, which Toyota is currently evolving in the Super Taikyu race. The new Celica GT-FOUR is expected to start production in 2027.

So they’re going to put a 4 cylinder ICE engine in a 2 door Prius?

 

[supraboi]

On another note, the Prius face Toyota has been copying and pasting onto each of their models isn't ugly or bad, but I hope Toyota gives each model its own unique look.

 

[Supra93]

The 1st / earlier concept was shown off on 12/21.

https://www.supramkv.com/threads/to...ept-could-be-an-electric-mr2-successor.11762/

FT-Se press release: 12/23

https://newsroom.toyota.eu/toyota-ft-se-sports-car-concept-electrifies-and-evolves/

I prefer the simplicity of the front end on the first concept. However, the second one does look more production ready. Just clean up the headlights and put on the standard mirrors like the render below and we're good to go.

 

[KahnBB6]

I thinks they will stick with the Celica name and then somewhere down the line turn it into the reborn Celica-Supra. As they slap on hybrid power adders it will be more readily accepted. Its a marketing ploy to get us to accept EVs in sports cars.

BTW, nice paragraph structure.

-RJM

Hah, thanks! I try whenever I write.

They may very well put the Celica name on what will obviously look like an MR2. Hopefully there will be two distinctive cars which share a common drivetrain flopped at different ends respectively.

I think the hybrid systems would be other trim levels in an overall Celica coupe range. The MR2 model would never sell in enough volume to have too many variants, I'd think.

...

These models are distinct from any full EV efforts from all I've learned so far.

Personally I love the best pure ICE sports models and am also open to future EV sports cars as well.

I'll take both including these current Toyota GR turbo manual transmission models we're all wanting.

But... with current lithium ion battery tech, limitations, weight and sheer size for the low power density I am not seeing how true EV sportscars can be built en masse *right now*. When the batteries eschew all the downsides of lithium-ion and are no bigger or heavier than a common gas tank so as not to make the entire body floor structure a battery... then we'll be getting somewhere.

Also the WAY in which most EVs are designed with too many touchscreens, few physical buttons and dials, not nearly enough emphasis on making the interior simple and classically driver focused with instrumentation over the steering wheel, and without nearly enough emphasis on anything raw and direct about the experience.

Even Toyota's EV MR2 concept with the "yoke" steering was missing the point. Regardless of what someone may feel about the type of drivetrain that kind of interface isn't something that the potential buyers of such a model actually want.

When an engine is no longer in the mix, EVERYTHING else about the experience the car can give matters even more. Instead of insulating the raw driving experience as most EVs tend to do... it absolutely needs to be the exact opposite as much as possible.

Automakers need to figure that out with their sports models that do anything at all with electrification.

So far I have not seen any true "sports car" that is an EV that gets everything right. Caterham is perhaps an exception with their recent EV coupe concept (do look it up if you haven't) but even they are not in any hurry to put it into production because as a small automaker they know they will benefit from waiting for next gen technology coming in just a few years.

We're going to continue to get plenty of great ICE fun cars over the next several years.

Whatever happens with EV sportscars will take a combination of a leap in technology... but also automakers realizing that regardless of what powers a sports car, hot hatch, muscle car or super car... they need to ditch the insular approach and annoying touchscreens and work hard at making them raw, fun and unapologetically driver-focused machines as much as possible.

The world has far too many forgettable crossovers, SUVs and other awkward boring models. One way or another the driver-focused and slightly unruly and theatrically fun cars have to survive long into the future.

Right now we're not there yet though.

 

[Zboy]

For what its worth, Toyota trademark MR2 late last year.

https://trademarks.justia.com/988/50/mr2-98850876.html

Same with Celica.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a62839708/future-toyota-celica-trademark/

 

[KahnBB6]

Same with Celica.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a62839708/future-toyota-celica-trademark/

The "Celica" name being trademarked has been known for a while but if they've also recently trademarked "MR2" then I'm of the belief that we really will see two distinctive models after all.

And that would make far more sense. Even if they share major range topping turbo AWD drivetrains each model has a different identity and mission to fulfill.

 

[FLtrackdays]

Hah, thanks! I try whenever I write.

They may very well put the Celica name on what will obviously look like an MR2. Hopefully there will be two distinctive cars which share a common drivetrain flopped at different ends respectively.

I think the hybrid systems would be other trim levels in an overall Celica coupe range. The MR2 model would never sell in enough volume to have too many variants, I'd think.

...

These models are distinct from any full EV efforts from all I've learned so far.

Personally I love the best pure ICE sports models and am also open to future EV sports cars as well.

I'll take both including these current Toyota GR turbo manual transmission models we're all wanting.

But... with current lithium ion battery tech, limitations, weight and sheer size for the low power density I am not seeing how true EV sportscars can be built en masse *right now*. When the batteries eschew all the downsides of lithium-ion and are no bigger or heavier than a common gas tank so as not to make the entire body floor structure a battery... then we'll be getting somewhere.

Also the WAY in which most EVs are designed with too many touchscreens, few physical buttons and dials, not nearly enough emphasis on making the interior simple and classically driver focused with instrumentation over the steering wheel, and without nearly enough emphasis on anything raw and direct about the experience.

Even Toyota's EV MR2 concept with the "yoke" steering was missing the point. Regardless of what someone may feel about the type of drivetrain that kind of interface isn't something that the potential buyers of such a model actually want.

When an engine is no longer in the mix, EVERYTHING else about the experience the car can give matters even more. Instead of insulating the raw driving experience as most EVs tend to do... it absolutely needs to be the exact opposite as much as possible.

Automakers need to figure that out with their sports models that do anything at all with electrification.

So far I have not seen any true "sports car" that is an EV that gets everything right. Caterham is perhaps an exception with their recent EV coupe concept (do look it up if you haven't) but even they are not in any hurry to put it into production because as a small automaker they know they will benefit from waiting for next gen technology coming in just a few years.

We're going to continue to get plenty of great ICE fun cars over the next several years.

Whatever happens with EV sportscars will take a combination of a leap in technology... but also automakers realizing that regardless of what powers a sports car, hot hatch, muscle car or super car... they need to ditch the insular approach and annoying touchscreens and work hard at making them raw, fun and unapologetically driver-focused machines as much as possible.

The world has far too many forgettable crossovers, SUVs and other awkward boring models. One way or another the driver-focused and slightly unruly and theatrically fun cars have to survive long into the future.

Right now we're not there yet though.

Well said Kahn! Their weight alone put the majority of EVs in a whole other category. Hard to hide heft for car lovers who actually enjoy point A to point B experience, like most of us.

However…. If you don’t look at the brand name (bias good or bad), I got a chance to really drive the latest Model 3 performance. It wasn’t what I expected. At all!!!! Long story short, I flung that newer performance model around the very large infield & straight areas of Sebring (where no people were - that track is HUGE). I was cornering & braking so much harder than I should have, completely shocked. One of the officials drove out to talk to us (me ?). I apologized ofc and explained the problem of this EV not giving in -like it should. Luckily he didn’t throw us out of the facility. The latest real upgrades to that vehicle not only made it feel lighter, it gave it the ability to take a proper whoopin incredibly well -brakes included. I’ve even seen a lot more of that model at track events, able to do a full 30 minute session w/out a need for charge. Some claim they can get two sessions. That’s about the same for me. I bring fuel to the track. They drive to Wawa or even more recently there are those super chargers on property. It also helps there are performance parts & consumables available for it.

https://www.tesla.com/model3-performance

Considering the price, performance and how it feels like a much more expensive car, I’m having my 1st ever real EV vs ICE car dilemma. Not for a car like the Supra. But for my wife’s GTi or something similar… Hard to believe!!!!

Which takes me back to the Celica or MR2. While I personally wouldn’t want either to be an EV only, I don’t think a hybrid system would tarnish their names. If/when they get to the point where they don’t inflate cost, weight, or complexity, then we’d have the best of both worlds. Low end torque and a combustion engine to maintain longer drives & higher speeds. If just for in town fun, you could drive on battery mode only, work and back, or longer trips having access to conventional fuel stations. Having redundancy to use either, for something we rely on so heavily, would be dyno ?might ?

Sponsored