New Toyota MR2 Rumors Hint At 400HP And AWD Fun For 2026

Petrolheads are always chasing after more driver-focused cars, and one that’s been topping the wishlist is a new generation of the long-discontinued Toyota MR2. After years of speculation about its return, the latest rumors suggest that Toyota might finally be doing more than just brainstorming.

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Word on the street is that they’ve locked down an engine, a drivetrain layout, and possibly even set a production date. If these whispers hold any truth, we could be seeing a 400-horsepower, all-wheel-drive MR2 as soon as 2026.

To be fair, rumors have swirled ever since the MR2 was discontinued 17 years ago, when the third generation was retired in 2007. But just last year, Toyota rolled out the FT-Se (pictured here), an electrified sports car that gave off some serious MR2 vibes with its design and proportions.

Earlier this year, we heard that a new rear-wheel drive MR2 was on the way, possibly with an engine similar to the one found in the GR Corolla. Well, that’s apparently changed—but let’s not forget, we’re still deep in rumor territory here, so take all of this with a heaping spoonful of skepticism.

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More: Toyota Thinks Its Upcoming Turbo Four Could Outshine The Legendary 2JZ

According to a report from Japan’s BestCar, Toyota is now planning to make its next-gen MR2 all-wheel drive. On top of that, it’s going to use its next-generation 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes nearly 400 horsepower (298 kW) in street-legal form and up to 600 hp for motorsports use. The engine will evidently sit amidships and the entire car could end up with a price tag of around $70,000.

All of that sounds right about on the nose for what Toyota might want to do with its tech. The auto giant has already confirmed that it’s working on a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. It’s building this new powertrain along with a new 1.5-liter unit in conjunction with Mazda and Subaru.

On top of that, Best Car indicated that its sources say this car is coming by 2026 in one form or anotherIf true, it would give us another non-hybrid, non-electric, mid-engine sports car option—a rarity in today’s market. While that might sound a bit wild, Toyota has somewhat notoriously bucked the EV trend that so many others have followed.

In fact, Toyota’s chairman Akio Toyoda made headlines late last year when he said people were “finally seeing the reality” of EVs. All of that points toward the idea that a small-displacement MR2 could very well get the green light for production. Will Toyota be capable of playing a segment that also includes the Porsche 718 and Lotus Emira? Only time will tell, but we can’t help but root for more cars like this one. 

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