Toyota could be about to prove its GR program has an exciting electric future, with reports a reborn MR2 EV will produce in excess of 370kW.
Those are big numbers, and they’ll reportedly be achieved via a performance-focused EV setup that is targeting supercar outputs, meaning the electrified GR range could be even more exciting than the petrol-powered versions.
Billed only as an ‘EV Sports’ vehicle when unveiled by Toyota last year – part of a major announcement detailing the company’s electrified vehicle rollout strategy between 2022 and 2030 – the sleek-looking performance car was finished in a vibrant yellow-orange, and fitted with massive wheels and supercar dimensions.
Exactly what will be powering it remains something of a mystery, but fresh reports out of Japan suggest the new model will be packing some serious electric grunt.
In fact, Japanese scoop site Best Car Web points to the new model producing around 500ps, which converts to more than 370kW. For reference, the Porsche Taycan 4S produces 360kW, which in turn delivers a sprint to 100km/h in just 4.4 secs. And the pictures of the EV Sports suggest it will be significantly lighter than Porsche’s EV.
Interestingly, earlier reports had the MR2 adopting a 2.8- or 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine complemented by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery to produce around 298kW, meaning the switch to all-electric has made it even more powerful.
Toyota executives have been touting a return of the MR2 nameplate since as far back as 2018, part of the brand’s “three brother” strategy that would see the Toyota 86 and Supra joined by a third dedicated performance vehicle.
And that comes from Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada, who told Evo in 2019 that the move would mirror the MR2, Celica, Supra line-up of the 1990s.
Reports also point to the EV Sports vehicle being yet another Toyota joint-venture, this time possible with Lotus (the two brands already work together on engine supply).
Lotus has made no bones about its shift to being an all-electric company by the end of this decade, with the Evija to be the first of an entirely new, and entirely electric, range.
According to Japanese media, the new model is scheduled to appear in 2026 – one year after the brand’s petrol-powered, mid-engined performance vehicle produced in partnership with Suzuki is slated for launch – so watch this space.
Keyword: Reborn Toyota MR2 to fire out a massive 370kW: All-electric GR model to deliver true supercar speed - reports