Toyota might be laying the groundwork for one of its most exciting comebacks yet. The Supra has already proven that the brand knows how to revive a legend, and now a short teaser video posted by Toyota Gazoo Racing on X has reignited long-running rumors about a next-generation MR2. With chairman Akio Toyoda directly involved in the tease and the Tokyo Auto Salon just days away, fans are once again daring to believe that Toyota’s mid-engined icon could be heading back to showrooms. Nothing is official, but the signs are hard to ignore.
A Teaser That Reignites Nostalgia
Bring a Trailer
On January 3, Toyota Gazoo Racing shared a video featuring Toyoda’s alter ego, “Morizo,” chatting with staff about a newly acquired mid-engined, two-seat car. For a brand that has only ever built one true mid-engined sports car – the Previa doesn’t count – the implication sounds pretty straightforward. To make matters even more interesting, Toyota recently filed new trademarks linked to the MR2 nameplate. Before we get too excited, there is still room for alternative explanations, like a restomod project or even another concept tied to the mid-engined GR Yaris M prototype. But all the clues are pointing in one direction: Toyota wants to make a fourth-generation Toyota MR2.
Why an MR2 Comeback Makes Sense
Toyota
Toyota has already shown that it knows how to balance heritage with modern performance. The Supra’s return turned a long-absent name into a contemporary flagship (with help from BMW, of course), while the GR86 continues to keep affordable, driver-focused sports cars alive. Beyond that, Toyota has also proven it is not afraid to think outside the box and innovate, as seen with the V8-powered GR GT. Across the wider industry, the trend is just as clear. Acura revived the Integra, Honda brought back the Prelude badge, and Nissan is still fighting to keep the Z relevant. In that context, an MR2 revival feels like the missing piece in Toyota’s Gazoo Racing puzzle. A compact, mid-engined sports car would add something genuinely unique to the lineup without stepping on the GR86’s toes.
January 9, The Tokyo Auto Salon
／／#東京オートサロン まであと「6」日
＼＼#モリゾウ が手に入れたミッドシップ2シーターの新しいクルマとは!?
果たして東京オートサロンまでにカスタムは間に合うのか？#tokyoautosalon2026@tokyoautosalon pic.twitter.com/FvfWujEEre— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (@TOYOTA_GR) January 3, 2026
For now, everything remains firmly in the realm of educated guesswork. What we do know is that Toyota plans to showcase what Toyoda himself has described as a “mid-engined two-seater” at the Tokyo Auto Salon later this week, alongside other flagship GR sports cars. That alone is enough to keep our hopes up, even if history has taught us that not every revival lands the way fans hope – cough, cough, Honda Prelude. The difference this time is that Toyota seems acutely aware of the emotional weight its sports cars carry and the importance of its GR lineup. Until the company confirms anything, the MR2’s return remains unproven. Still, with anticipation building and the brand clearly leaning into its performance heritage, this is the strongest case for an MR2 comeback in years.
