Toyota MR2 could be revived as hybrid sports car

Rumors out of Japan say that Toyota and some of its partnered companies are working on a lightweight, mid-engined, hybrid sports car. That, plus the fact that in 2021 Toyota showed a purported electric midship sports car concept, has the gossip mill swirling. Obviously, a small midship runabout conjures images of the dearly departed MR2.

The grapevine originates from Japan's Best Car magazine, which states it's a triple-collab between Toyota, Suzuki and Daihatsu. Toyota owns Daihatsu outright and has a 5% stake in Suzuki.

The rumors have it playing out like this: Toyota supplies the chassis, using the front suspension of the Yaris. Suzuki provides the engine, a 1.0-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder currently found in the Swift, good for 118 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It'd be mated to a 5-horsepower mild hybrid electric motor and either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Daihatsu contributes its panel-swapping technology found on its Copen roadster, allowing each marque's variant to sport a unique body.