Toyota's New MR2 Prototype Spotted Testing in Japan for the First Time

Full text

A mysterious coupe prototype or test mule was spotted testing in Japan.

It is still unclear whether Toyota will revive the MR2, the Celica, or both.

Reports suggest the new GR model will use a mid-engine AWD layout.

Toyota keeps pushing ahead on a mid-engine GR model, and while we don’t yet know whether it wears the Celica name, the MR2 badge, or whether the company revives both nameplates on different cars, the machine itself is clearly coming. Now we might have our first look at a prototype or test mule, possibly the MR2, moving past the GR Yaris Concept M racer that served as a test bed, caught during track testing in Japan.

var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};

adpushup.que.push(function() {

if (adpushup.config.platform !== "DESKTOP"){

adpushup.triggerAd("0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8");

} else {

adpushup.triggerAd("82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f");

}

});

More: Toyota’s Mid-Engine MR2 Is Closing In, And It’s Hiding Inside A GR Yaris Concept

A pair of photos and a short video of the mystery Toyota prototype landed on X courtesy of user @You_SuiKoyoAZ and went viral fast. The car has a sporty stance and a two-door coupe silhouette, with Yaris-sourced headlights and taillights set against deep bumpers, a pronounced splitter, wide fender extensions, and a fixed swan-neck rear wing.

Photo @You_SuiKoyoAZ / X

Whether this is a parts-bin mule or an early development prototype is still unclear, though either way it looks cobbled together from existing hardware.

var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};

adpushup.que.push(function() {

if (adpushup.config.platform === "DESKTOP"){

adpushup.triggerAd("ea4d4b5a-f8e5-4d5d-9d9a-53a3b956b6cd");

} else{

adpushup.triggerAd("44c0a4dc-e25b-4ba5-ac64-2c510461b92a");

}

});

The large cooling intakes on the rear fenders and the deep hood vent all but confirm a mid-mounted powertrain, following the same recipe as the GR Yaris M Concept from 2025. It also looks different from the rally-spec Gazoo Racing prototype spotted testing in WRC stages earlier this year .

All-Wheel-Drive Layout

Photo @You_SuiKoyoAZ / X

The original MR2 ran a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, but the new car is widely tipped to go mid-engine all-wheel drive with Torsen limited-slip differentials front and rear. The transmission sits at the back, and a prop shaft feeds power forward to the front axle. Engineers have said that in the Yaris test bed, the car can send everything to the rear or route up to half forward. What we still don’t know is whether Toyota sticks with an 8-speed automatic only or throws in the option of a manual.

Toyota’s New G20E Four-Cylinder

var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};

adpushup.que.push(function() {

if (adpushup.config.platform !== "DESKTOP"){

adpushup.triggerAd("bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c");

} else {

adpushup.triggerAd("9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751");

}

});

走行動画 pic.twitter.com/5LxZVE7FCC

— ∬なのぽよ∬🧪🗿 💬🔁💙 𝙉𝙚𝙭𝙩→？ (@You_SuiKoyoAZ) July 22, 2026

Powering the new MR2 and/or Celica is Toyota’s new G20E, a 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder set to replace the 1.6-liter turbo three from the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Toyota says it engineered the unit to be both stronger and more compact than the 2.4-liter turbo four already used across its range, targeting around 300 horsepower and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque in regular applications and climbing to 400 hp and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) in hotter versions. A racing variant of the same engine is also in the cards, potentially making as much as 600 hp.

This is a developing story and will be updated…

ミュージアムのカフェにいたらなんかきた…!!

な に こ れ pic.twitter.com/T9TMktQEnz

var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};

adpushup.que.push(function() {

if (adpushup.config.platform !== "DESKTOP"){

adpushup.triggerAd("b25ecba7-3bbb-4ea7-a3a8-dbea91695c07");

} else {

adpushup.triggerAd("e46c436a-adeb-4b5e-a2c7-56bc36561c10");

}

});

— ∬なのぽよ∬🧪🗿 💬🔁💙 𝙉𝙚𝙭𝙩→？ (@You_SuiKoyoAZ) July 22, 2026