The automotive frenzy is rising as the Tokyo Auto Salon approaches, where Akio Toyoda, the CEO of Toyota, is set to reveal a surprise that could ignite the hearts of sports car enthusiasts. A mid-engine car, inspired by the legendary MR2, seems to be on the horizon, but the mystery remains. Is it a new supercar or a revamped version of the GR Yaris? The bets are on!
Akio Toyoda: A Passionate Visionary
For sports car lovers, Akio Toyoda is much more than just a CEO; he is a fervent advocate for the brand’s sporting spirit. In 2026, who would have thought that Toyota would become the savior of sports cars? The Japanese manufacturer has recently expanded its lineup with the flagship GR GT model, joining the ranks of the GR Yaris, GR86, and GR Corolla. But the real surprise could be a new mid-engine sports car, a project that Toyota seems to have been refining for some time.
The GR Yaris M Concept: A Promising Foundation
Before Toyota resurrects one of these iconic names, it is working on creating a mid-engine sports compact based on the GR Yaris. Akio Toyoda has already had the opportunity to test this concept, the GR Yaris M, on the track. Equipped with a newly developed 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine, it could very well become a true technological gem. At the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, Toyoda will present a mid-engine two-seater sports car, carefully customized for the event.
The Mystery of the Mid-Engine Car
However, Toyota remains tight-lipped about the precise identity of the vehicle, sharing no teaser images to pique our curiosity. The enigmatic posts on the social network X merely suggest that the engine is positioned in the center, just behind the seats. But is this really the GR Yaris M concept we hope for?
Rumors Galore
Rumors abound, and each teaser campaign that raises more questions than it answers excites our imagination. With Toyota keeping silent for now, the car could be anything. There’s even talk of a customized GR Yaris M, but its commercial launch remains uncertain.
A New Engine and Promising Performance
This compact sports model is widely considered a testbed for the new “G20E” engine, designed for front and mid-engine applications, capable of delivering over 400 horsepower. A true technological gem that could also revive the MR2 or even the Celica, while propelling a new generation of Supra, completely independent of BMW.
Toyota GR Yaris M Concept 2025
A Promising Future for Toyota Sports Cars
If it’s not the GR Yaris M that Toyoda has unearthed, it could very well be a reworked version of an MR2, with the help of Gazoo Racing. It’s unlikely to be the GR GT, as the latter features a front-mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Toyota’s flagship performance model will make its public debut at the show alongside its GT3 racing counterpart.
But what if Akio Toyoda decided to bring an even bigger surprise? Perhaps he acquired a Porsche Cayman GT4 or a Boxster Spyder RS before the end of production of the current generation. That wouldn’t be unprecedented, especially after he showed up with a Suzuki Jimny at a previous edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Toyota MR2 Spyder (third generation)
Conclusion: The Spirit of Performance is Reborn
In any case, it’s unlikely we will see a new MR2 next week. However, Toyoda’s recent purchase could be a strong signal of Toyota’s intention to launch a mid-engine car positioned below the GR GT. Meanwhile, a fully electric model with similar proportions is also in development, inspired by the FT-Se concept. Be ready to see these gems on our roads in the coming years.
