Toyota's Mid-Engine MR2 Is Closing In, And It's Hiding Inside A GR Yaris Concept
Toyota's mid-engine MR2 is nearing production, with the GR Yaris concept serving as a test bed for the new layout and engine.
Key Takeaways
- The Toyota MR2 is nearing production, with the GR Yaris concept serving as a test bed for the new mid-engine layout.
- The GR Yaris concept features a new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, expected to produce over 100 horsepower per cylinder.
- Toyota has been testing the mid-engine layout in the GR Yaris concept, with a focus on cooling and aerodynamic issues.
- The MR2 is expected to feature all-wheel drive with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.
- The GR Yaris concept has undergone six different generations of prototypes, with the latest Gen-6 mule competing in a 24-hour race.
What’s the Status of the Toyota MR2?
The Toyota MR2 is nearing production, with the GR Yaris concept serving as a test bed for the new mid-engine layout. The project has been ongoing for three years, with Toyota’s Gazoo Racing team working to master the layout before it lands in a production car.
The GR Yaris concept has undergone six different generations of prototypes, with the latest Gen-6 mule competing in a 24-hour race during the Super Taikyu Series at Fuji Speedway.
What’s New About the Engine?
The engine in the GR Yaris concept is Toyota’s new G20E 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder. It’s expected to replace the 1.6-liter turbo three-cylinder found in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, and Toyota has built it to be both more powerful and smaller than the 2.4-liter turbo four offered in several of its other models.
Ensuring this engine can be cooled adequately has been a key challenge for the GR team, but it appears to have ironed out those issues. Early reports from those who’ve experienced the new engine are very positive, and it bodes well for smaller, low-slung sport models like the revived MR2 and Celica.
How Does the All-Wheel Drive System Work?
The MR2 is expected to feature all-wheel drive with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials. The setup inverts the GR Corolla and Yaris layout, keeping all-wheel drive with a prop shaft running from the rear-mounted transmission up to the front axle.
Engineers say the car can send all of its torque to the rear or up to half to the front. They’ve also tried a 70/30 front split, but it understeered badly.
What’s Next for the Toyota MR2?
Now is a very exciting time to be a Toyota fan. The MR2 and Celica have been talked about for years and now finally appear to be just around the corner. GR chief engineer Naohiko Saito told Car&Driver that at least 14 more iterations of the all-wheel-drive test bed are planned beyond the current ones, with the program drawing on the work of at least 500 Gazoo Racing employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Toyota MR2?
The Toyota MR2 is a mid-engine sports car that is nearing production. It’s been in development for three years, with the GR Yaris concept serving as a test bed for the new layout and engine.
Q: What’s new about the engine in the GR Yaris concept?
The engine in the GR Yaris concept is Toyota’s new G20E 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder. It’s expected to produce over 100 horsepower per cylinder and is smaller than the 2.4-liter turbo four offered in several of Toyota’s other models.
Q: How does the all-wheel drive system in the MR2 work?
The MR2 is expected to feature all-wheel drive with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials. The setup inverts the GR Corolla and Yaris layout, keeping all-wheel drive with a prop shaft running from the rear-mounted transmission up to the front axle.
