Will this give the MX-5 a run for its fame?
Toyota’s big boss, Tetsuya Tada was recently asked about the future of the legendary sports car, the MR2 which after 3 generations was retired temporarily (no confirmation was given on its death) and what brand he would like to partner on this project. In reply, he replied that Porsche would be the best partner for a 4th generation MR2.
Of course, this may just be another “rumour” launched by Japanese brand representatives. But, given that Toyota’s jointly developed projects with competitors have become a common practice lately, and Porsche has huge experience in creating centrally-positioned sports cars, such an alliance seems quite real.
Toyota already has two models that were created with the partnership of other manufacturers. The GT86 coupe, which replaced the Celica model on the market, was produced in collaboration with Subaru for the BRZ sports car.
The new generation Toyota GR Supra which is the biggest noise in the sports cars industry this 2019 was made in partnership with the BMW with the all new Z4. The model has received a wave of criticism from fans because the Japanese have decided not to use even their own production engine in favor of one ready for the new Z4.
The were rumours that the GAZOO Racing division confirmed the development of a successor to the MR2 roadster which further strengthens the arrival of this MR2.
NOTE: The first ever Mk1 Toyota MR2 was a two-seat, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car manufactured in Japan and marketed globally by Toyota from 1984 to 2007 over three generations: W10 (1984–1989), W20 (1990–1999) and W30 (2000–2007). It is Japan’s first mid-engined production car.
Conceived as a small, economical and sporty car, the MR2 employed straightforward design elements, including fully independent MacPherson strut front and rear suspensions, four wheel disc brakes, and transverse-mounted inline-four engines.
The name MR2 stands for either “mid-ship, run-about, 2-seater” or “mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-seater. Today its value is very high in the collector’s market with prices between RM35,000 to as high as RM60,000.
