Enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating news of a New Toyota Sports Car, and rumors suggest Toyota might be drawing inspiration from its iconic MR2 lineage. Back in 1985, when many V8 cars struggled to produce even 200hp, the lightweight AW11 MR2, powered by the 4A-GE engine, offered a compelling driving experience for its time. The supercharged 4A-GZE variant elevated performance further, solidifying the MR2’s sporty credentials, especially when compared to contemporaries like early Pontiac Fiero models with less inspiring “Iron Duke” engines. The MR2 was, unequivocally, a superior vehicle.
It appears Toyota is looking to recapture the spirit of the later SW20 Turbo MR2 era (1990-1999 in the U.S. and Japan) with not one, but potentially two new Toyota sports car models: a G16E-GTS powered MR2 and an FT-Se battery-electric version. This strategy could leverage the acclaimed G16E-GTS engine, paying homage to both the versatile 4A-GE twin-cam 1.6L and the later, potent 3S-GTE turbo engines that graced numerous Toyota sports models.
However, expectations around affordability need to be tempered. The SW20 Turbo MR2 was significantly pricier than the original AW11. In 1995, the SW20 MR2 Turbo carried an MSRP of $29,755 in the U.S. Adjusting for inflation to today’s values, that equates to roughly $60,617. Factoring in modern safety systems, advanced driver assists, sophisticated electronics, and stringent emissions controls, a price point of $60,000 USD or higher for a new Toyota sports car in this vein seems realistic, if not inevitable.
Consider the 1985 AW11 MR2, which sold for around $13,000. In 2024 dollars, that would be approximately $37,000. The current Toyota GR86 already occupies this price range, a feat made possible through the collaborative partnership with Subaru. While an affordable, AW11-esque mid-engine runabout is a desirable prospect, the reality is likely to be different.
Given the limited window to utilize the G16E turbo engine before full electrification takes hold, coupled with generally higher production costs, Toyota may be focusing on a final, high-performance tribute to the SW20 Turbo MR2. This new Toyota sports car, priced upwards of $60,000, would cater to a different market segment than the original MR2. The all-electric FT-Se variant will undoubtedly command an even higher price due to the advanced battery technology it will employ.
Ultimately, any “MR2 successor” we receive will likely not be the budget-friendly mid-ship sports car of the past. This doesn’t diminish the potential for an exceptional new Toyota sports car, but it does suggest that affordability for the masses may no longer be the primary objective.
