Toyota MR2 Could Return in 2028 Without Toyota Badges

The return of the Toyota MR2 appears to be drawing ever closer. After Gazoo Racing developed several prototypes based on the GR Yaris, a new rear mid-engined sports car was recently spotted testing at Fuji Speedway. All indications suggest it will reach the market in 2028.

Autocar reports the news, putting a date on the arrival of the successor to the well-known MR2 for the first time. Toyota has still not officially confirmed the production model, although its development is far from a secret.

There is also a detail that could prove even more surprising than the date itself: the new sports car may be launched without a single Toyota badge.

A rear mid-engined GR with 450 bhp

At the heart of the project is the G20E, Toyota's new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which has been under development and competition testing. True to the MR, or Midship Runabout, name, the engine will be mounted behind the cabin.

In road-going form, the unit is expected to produce roughly 400 bhp to 450 bhp, although its potential in motorsport applications could exceed 600 bhp.

Those figures would place the future Toyota MR2 well above any of its three previous generations. While the final MR2 competed with the Mazda MX-5, this new model is targeting cars such as the Porsche 718 and Lotus Emira.

Its styling is expected to take inspiration from the FT-Se concept revealed in 2023. However, the prototype pictured in this article remains a “test mule”, combining parts from other models - its doors come from the Lexus LC and its light units from the GR Yaris - and reveals very little about the final design.

All-wheel drive will be a first

Another major change is on the way. Whereas all three MR2 generations sent the engine's power solely to the rear wheels, the new model is expected to use all-wheel drive for the first time.

Tomoya Takahashi, head of Gazoo Racing, told Autocar that one of the older MR2s' strengths - their willingness to rotate through corners - could also become an issue when pushed to the limit, resulting in sudden oversteer.

With four driven wheels, Gazoo Racing intends to use that inherent rotation tendency to improve the car's ability to deploy power on corner exit, while also enhancing stability.

The GR Yaris M Concept, which serves as a test bed for this layout, has demonstrated another benefit. By moving the engine and transmission behind the driver, Toyota reduces the load on the front axle and therefore cuts both understeer and accelerated front-tyre wear on track.

Toyota or Gazoo Racing?

Perhaps the biggest surprise surrounding this future sports car concerns the badge it will not wear. According to Autocar, the new MR2 could follow the GR GT's route and be sold exclusively under the Gazoo Racing identity, without any Toyota emblem.

This separation has already begun. In early 2026, Toyota announced that the division previously called Toyota Gazoo Racing would become simply Gazoo Racing, strengthening the performance division's independent identity.

Toyota has already registered the “GR MR2” and “GR MR-S” names, reflecting the different names used in different markets, as with earlier generations. Now, all that remains is to wait for 2028, its anticipated launch year.