Friday, January 24, 2025

Is Toyota Secretly Testing The MR2 With This Wild Mid-Engine GR Yaris Prototype?

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  • Toyota has revealed a prototype GR Yaris with a mid-mounted turbo 2.0-liter engine in Tokyo.
  • The wild idea is joined by a racing model of the GR Yaris for the 24 hours of Nurburgring.
  • Toyota’s Tokyo Auto Salon lineup for 2025 additionally contains Land Cruisers and fascinating classics.

Toyota introduced out the large weapons at this 12 months’s Tokyo Auto Salon, showcasing a wealthy lineup that features all the pieces from rally-ready hatchbacks to desert-dominating SUVs. Among the many highlights is a mid-engined scorching hatch prototype that would double as a testbed for the rumored revival of the MR2 roadster.

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At first look, the Toyota GR Yaris M Idea seems to be like a beefed-up model of the road-going mannequin, with totally different wheels, a carbon rear wing, and a camouflage wrap. Nevertheless, a gap on the tailgate reveals an enormous distinction to the usual GR Yaris – a mid-mounted powertrain.

Extra: 2026 Toyota Hilux Spied Wanting Like An In depth Facelift

Moreover, as a substitute of relocating the turbo 1.6-liter three-cylinder of the usual GR Yaris, the idea is provided with Toyota’s all-new turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is at the moment beneath improvement. The brand new powertrain is anticipated to energy the reborn Celica and MR2 sports activities vehicles. Toyota hasn’t given us any output figures, however stories from Japan declare it’s going to generate as much as 395 hp (294 kW / 400 PS) in roadgoing taste, and 592 hp (441 kW / 600 PS) in racing kind.

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In line with Toyota Gazoo Racing, the GR Yaris M Idea was designed to “additional discover the potential of the GR Yaris”, with plans on competing within the Tremendous Taikyu Sequence in Japan. The prototype will probably be “repeatedly pushed to failure after which repaired within the excessive circumstances of racing”, incorporating suggestions from Morizo (Akio Toyoda) {and professional} drivers.

Whereas the corporate makes no point out of future manufacturing plans, the mid-engined prototype might function an early mule for a future MR2. A brand new era of the mannequin is rumored to reach in 2026, combining a turbo engine with all-wheel-drive. As for the outside design, our greatest indication is the totally electrical FT-Se idea from 2023.

New Aero Package deal For The GR Yaris

Moreover the mid-engined idea, Toyota has additionally launched the GR Yaris Aero Package deal prototype. The mannequin is fitted with six new aero elements, developed with the assistance {of professional} drivers on the observe. The spotlight is the variable rear wing with a “situation-responsive adjustable angle”. Different seen upgrades embody the vented hood, the facet gills, and the additional openings on the rear bumper.

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Extra: 2027 Toyota Corolla May Launch Subsequent 12 months With A Plug-In Hybrid Possibility

These components might find yourself being provided as choices for the Japanese-spec GR Yaris. The prototype can also be fitted with the vertical handbrake, which has been optionally out there for the RC trim of the new hatch because the 2024 facelift.

Toyota Is Again At The 24 Hours of Nurburgring

The third GR Yaris that will probably be showcased on the Tokyo Auto Salon is a racing mannequin designed for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The modified hatchback with the redesigned bodykit and the flowery livery will mark Toyota’s return to the grueling race in 2025 after a six-year hiatus. Moreover the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS), the GR Yaris will probably be competing on the Tremendous Taikyu Sequence by the Toyota Gazoo Rookie Racing group.

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To have fun its return to the well-known race, Toyota additionally introduced numerous racecars from previous Nürburgring occasions, alongside a weathered prototype of the Toyota Supra which served as a coaching car on the Inexperienced Hell.

The Land Cruiser Nook

The Tokyo lineup doesn’t finish there, because the Land Cruiser couldn’t be lacking from the present. The Land Cruiser 70 Sequence Abroad Customized provides elective equipment to the off-roader, making it much more interesting. Then again, the Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport Dakar Rally 2025 Specification is able to sort out the deserts of Saudi Arabia with a racing livery and quite a few off-road modifications.

Extra: New Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Inside Leaked Forward Of 2025 Debut

The corporate has additionally introduced the Land Cruiser Base, a specialty retailer designed to serve homeowners of the long-lasting mannequin. Beginning this February, the brand new enterprise entity will provide “numerous companies and actions based mostly on buyer suggestions”, corresponding to promoting unique components and internet hosting particular occasions.

Lastly, Akio Toyoda introduced a few of his favourite classics to the Tokyo stand, as a part of the well-known Morizo Storage assortment. This 12 months’s lineup contains the 1957 Land Cruiser BJ, the unique 1966 Toyota Corolla, the curvy 1967 Subaru 360, the lovable 1962 Daihatsu Midget, and the tiny 1960 Mazda R360 Coupe.


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