Toyota stunned enthusiasts at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year by unveiling the GR Yaris M, a concept car that hinted at a radical transformation of the beloved hot hatch. Featuring a mid-engine layout, the GR Yaris M immediately sparked speculation about a modern-day MR2 revival. However, despite the excitement, Toyota’s ambitious plan has hit a temporary roadblock, with key engineering challenges delaying the project’s debut on the track.
The car was slated to enter Japan’s Super Taikyu Series, undergoing rigorous race testing under extreme conditions. But recent updates from Toyota reveal that the project has been stalled due to issues specific to midship-mounted vehicles, particularly in braking, steering, and driving dynamics. Even so, Toyota remains committed to refining the car until it’s ready for competition—and eventually, for the road.
What You Need to Know: Highlights from the GR Yaris M Development
- Toyota’s GR Yaris M features a mid-engine layout, sparking MR2 revival rumors
- Initially planned to race in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series in 2024
- Project delayed due to technical difficulties with midship configuration
- Toyota engineers continue refining the car for future endurance racing
- New 2.0L turbocharged “G20E” engine developed with up to 600 hp potential
- G20E engine to be used in various front- and mid-engined platforms
- Possible use in future MR2, Celica revival, and Supra successor
- Lexus IS prototype already tested with the new powertrain
Mid-Engine Challenges Delay Racing Debut
Toyota had planned to race the GR Yaris M in Round 5 of Japan’s Super Taikyu endurance series at Autopolis. The race would have subjected the vehicle to repeated failures and repairs under real-world racing conditions. However, the GR Yaris M did not make it to the grid. Toyota cited braking, steering, and handling difficulties inherent to midship designs as the reason for postponing its debut.
While this delay may frustrate eager fans, it also reflects Toyota’s cautious engineering approach. The brand is determined not to rush a complex vehicle that challenges traditional layouts—especially as it forms the basis for a road-legal performance car.
Read Also : New Renault Clio Mk6 Set for Munich Motor Show Debut
GR Yaris M’s Real Mission: Development Testbed for a Future MR2?
Though officially a track-bound concept, the GR Yaris M clearly serves as a development platform for a mid-engine sports car aimed at the street. All signs point to a new-generation Toyota MR2, a nameplate last seen in the early 2000s. Unlike the original MR2, which emphasized lightness and simplicity, this new iteration may be significantly more powerful and feature advanced powertrain technologies.
Toyota has been candid about the GR Yaris M’s role in shaping future models. The goal is to race, learn, and translate that knowledge into a production-ready vehicle—a philosophy that Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division consistently applies.
G20E Engine: A New Heart for Toyota Performance
At the center of this effort is the newly developed G20E engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit equipped with an IHI turbocharger. In standard form, it’s expected to produce between 400 and 450 horsepower, but when fitted with a larger turbo, 600 horsepower is within reach. Toyota has already confirmed the engine will serve both longitudinal and transverse configurations, making it highly adaptable for various drivetrains.
This versatility suggests the G20E is more than a one-off racing engine. It could serve as the foundation for an entire generation of Toyota performance vehicles, from the revived MR2 to a potential new Celica and even a BMW-free Supra successor.
Future Applications: MR2, Celica, Supra, and Lexus LFR
Toyota’s long-term vision for the G20E engine stretches across several platforms. Rumors suggest the MR2 will not be the only benefactor. The Celica nameplate, dormant since 2006, has been teased as a possible comeback model. Likewise, Toyota has hinted that the next-generation Supra will move away from BMW collaboration, possibly turning to in-house solutions powered by the G20E.
Meanwhile, a stripped-down Lexus IS prototype has already been heard testing the new engine, reinforcing Toyota’s intent to diversify its usage. On the high-performance end, the GR GT3 race car is being developed into a road-going Lexus supercar, potentially named LFR, which may adopt a large V8 instead.
Technical Overview: GR Yaris M & G20E Engine
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Concept Car | Toyota GR Yaris M |
| Configuration | Mid-engine layout |
| Intended Use | Endurance racing and R&D platform |
| Racing Series | Japan’s Super Taikyu Series |
| Delay Reason | Braking, steering, and driving challenges (mid-engine) |
| Engine Type | 2.0L G20E I4 turbocharged (IHI turbo) |
| Expected Power (Standard) | 400–450 hp |
| Estimated Max Output | 600 hp with larger turbo |
| Engine Applications | Longitudinal and transverse setups |
| Potential Models | MR2, Celica, Supra, Lexus IS Prototype, GR GT3 |
Looking Ahead: A Calculated Delay for a Bigger Return
Though the GR Yaris M’s track debut has been delayed, the insights gained from its development could shape Toyota’s sports car lineup for years to come. Toyota has made it clear: the goal is not just to build fast cars, but to engineer performance machines with long-term reliability and real-world application.
As fans wait for the MR2 revival or the next big nameplate resurrection, one thing is clear—the G20E engine and mid-engine architecture represent Toyota’s next chapter in performance innovation.
Discover more from ActuCars
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
