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A New MR2 Could Be Toyota’s Most Important Sports Car in Decades

Toyota has been whispering about the return of the MR2 for years, but now the volume knob has been turned just loud enough to make enthusiasts lean in. The latest provocation comes courtesy of a 29-second Gazoo Racing video that feels less like a marketing clip and more like a knowing wink. In it, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda casually mentions a new mid-engined, two-seat sports car he wants ready for the Tokyo Auto Salon. Subtle? Not really. Effective? Absolutely.

If there’s one executive in the global auto industry who’s earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to sports cars, it’s Toyoda. During his tenure as Toyota president, he green-lit everything from the Lexus LFA to the GT86/GR86 twins and revived the Supra nameplate. He’s also not above getting his hands dirty—or upside down—having famously rolled a GR Yaris rally car during testing under his “Morizo” racing alias. When Toyoda hints at a mid-engine project, it’s worth paying attention.

The breadcrumbs point squarely toward an MR2 revival, likely wearing Gazoo Racing badges. Toyota trademarked the name “GR MR2” in 2025, along with “GR MR-S,” a nod to the name used for the MR2 in Japan. That alone would be enough to stir the pot, but Toyota has been unusually open about the hardware that could underpin this car.

At last year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota confirmed that its future mid-engined sports car would abandon earlier plans for an all-electric layout—previewed by the FT-Se concept—in favor of a new turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine. In an era when Porsche, Alpine, and Lotus are all marching toward electric sports cars, Toyota is zagging the other way. For purists, that’s the sound of relief.

The engine in question is known internally as the G20E, an all-new turbo four first seen bolted into the mid-engined GR Yaris M Concept. Toyota says it will be more powerful and more efficient than the current 2.4-liter turbo used in various Toyota and Lexus models, while also being about 10 percent smaller. That’s good news for packaging, especially when you’re stuffing an engine behind the seats.

Official output figures haven’t been released, but expectations are already set. A baseline around 300 horsepower seems plausible, with higher-output versions pushing toward 400 horses. Toyota has even suggested that motorsport applications could see as much as 500 horsepower, though emissions regulations will likely keep road cars well below that ceiling—unless hybrid assistance enters the chat. Given Toyota’s deep bench in hybrid tech, that door is very much open for the future.

Crucially, Toyota is developing this engine the hard way: on the track. Prototypes of the GR Yaris M Concept were slated to compete in Japan’s Super Taikyu endurance series, echoing the company’s Nürburgring development program for the Lexus LFA. Early hiccups delayed the racing debut, but the philosophy remains clear—learn in competition, then bring the lessons to the street.

Power is expected to be routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission developed by Gazoo Racing, already seen in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla abroad, as well as the Lexus LBX Morizo RR. Purists will pine for a manual, but Toyota’s recent automatics have proven sharp enough to blunt most complaints.

Chassis details remain under wraps, but a mixed-metal structure using high-strength steel and aluminum is likely, balancing weight, rigidity, and cost. More intriguing is Toyota’s suggestion that the car could feature all-wheel drive. According to GR engineering boss Naohiko Saito, early testing showed that an AWD, mid-engine layout offered the best performance potential. That’s a departure from traditional MR2 thinking—and a potential game-changer for traction and usability.

Design-wise, expect a modern interpretation rather than a retro throwback. The FT-Se concept provides the roadmap: a low windshield, short nose, and tightly wrapped rear bodywork emphasizing the mid-engine proportions. Think strong rear haunches, sharp surfacing, and body panels stretched taut over the mechanicals. Despite the switch back to combustion power, Toyota doesn’t expect to rely on huge side intakes; airflow is likely managed from the front and underbody, as seen on the GR Yaris M Concept.

At the back, slim LED lighting, an aggressive diffuser, and a subtle ducktail spoiler should make the cut, with optional Gazoo Racing aero bits—wings, flicks, and the like—for buyers who want to lean harder into the track-day aesthetic.

Inside, the formula is refreshingly old-school. Two seats. Good visibility. A low scuttle. A driver-focused cockpit with minimal distractions and compact digital displays. Think Lotus or Porsche in philosophy, not a rolling tech demo.

Toyota sold the MR2 for nearly three decades, and the name still carries weight with enthusiasts who remember lightness, balance, and accessibility. If this new car delivers on those values—while adding modern power, grip, and Gazoo Racing attitude—it won’t just be a nostalgia play. It’ll be a reminder that Toyota still knows how to build a proper sports car. And judging by that sly 29-second video, they’re enjoying the tease just as much as we are.

Photo: Avarvarii

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Cupra Prices Up the Formentor and Terramar Tribe Editions for 2026

Cupra is leaning hard into the idea that sustainability can be a style statement, and its newly priced Tribe Edition versions of the Formentor and Terramar are the latest proof. First teased at the Munich Motor Show back in September 2025, these special trims are now officially on sale, pitching visual flair and eco-conscious materials as the main attraction rather than outright performance upgrades.

The Tribe Edition isn’t a new model so much as what Cupra calls an “individualisation concept,” which is marketing-speak for a carefully curated bundle of cosmetic tweaks. Think of it as a greener, more design-led alternative to the usual step-up trims. It’s available across a broad spread of powertrains—pure petrol, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid—for both the Formentor crossover-coupé and the larger Terramar SUV. Elsewhere in Europe, the Leon hatch and estate get the same treatment, but UK buyers won’t see those versions land on these shores.

Let’s talk money. The Formentor Tribe Edition starts at £39,240, which actually undercuts the V3 trim by £455, despite sitting near the top of the non-VZ range. The Terramar Tribe Edition opens at £43,255. Neither figure is exactly bargain-basement, and Cupra knows it—hence the reminder that discounts north of £8,000 are currently available on standard Formentor and Terramar models through buying services. In other words, the Tribe Edition is aimed less at deal-hunters and more at buyers who want their Cupra to look different from the one parked next door.

Mechanically, the options will be familiar. Both models can be had with a 1.5-litre eTSI mild-hybrid producing 148bhp or a 1.5-litre e-Hybrid plug-in hybrid with 201bhp. The Formentor also keeps the straightforward 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI petrol for those who prefer simplicity. The Terramar, meanwhile, ups the ante slightly with a 201bhp 1.5-litre TSI paired to a seven-speed DSG automatic and standard four-wheel drive. No new engines, no extra speed—this is about presentation, not lap times.

That presentation starts on the outside with a new paint option called Manganese Matt, a muted, earthy green that leans heavily into the Tribe Edition’s eco theme. Midnight Black remains available for buyers who prefer their sustainability served a little more stealthily. The alloy wheels are unique to the Tribe models and made using 20 percent recycled material, with Sulphur Green highlights adding a flash of colour. The Formentor rides on 19-inch versions, while the bigger Terramar gets 20s to better fill its arches.

Inside, Cupra continues the sustainability story with more conviction than most trim-level special editions. Sulphur Green accents reappear across the cabin, while interior plastics are made from 30 percent recycled materials. The standout detail is the sports-seat upholstery, which uses what Cupra calls “3D knitted technology.” It’s 100 percent recycled fabric, produced by a computer-controlled knitting process that creates each piece to size, eliminating offcuts and waste. It’s a clever bit of manufacturing—and a nice talking point if you enjoy explaining your seat fabric to passengers.

In terms of equipment, the Tribe Edition is based on the V2 trim for both models, so it’s not exactly stripped out. Standard kit includes a hands-free powered tailgate, Cupra’s ‘Immersive by Sennheiser’ sound system, and—on the Terramar—a head-up display. That makes the Tribe Edition less about sacrificing features for a cause and more about reframing what “premium” can look like in 2026.

The takeaway? The Cupra Formentor and Terramar Tribe Editions won’t win over buyers chasing maximum horsepower per pound, but that’s not the point. They’re aimed at customers who want something visually distinctive, mildly virtuous, and just a little different from the usual trim-walk-up formula. Whether that’s worth the asking price is a personal call—but as sustainability-led special editions go, this one at least feels thoughtfully executed rather than hastily badge-engineered.

Source: Cupra UK

NEW CARS

BMW Can’t Decide How Bold Its M5 Facelift Should Be—and That Might Be a Good Thing

BMW usually plays its Life Cycle Impulse cards close to the chest. Minor tweaks here, a lighting signature there, and done. But the facelifted M5 appears to be breaking that tradition—and not subtly. Since March 2025, when the first spy shots of an updated M5 surfaced, BMW has been testing not one but two noticeably different design directions for its super sedan, all while the current G90-generation car is still barely warmed up.

That alone raised eyebrows. Testing a facelift just months after customer deliveries begin is unusual, even by BMW standards. But the real surprise came later, when a second prototype appeared wearing camouflage that hinted at a completely different face.

The first test mule leaned hard into BMW’s Neue Klasse design language. Its kidney grille stretched outward, visually linking up with the headlights in a way that echoed the 2023 Vision Neue Klasse concept. BMW has already confirmed that this look will debut on upcoming production models like the next 3 Series and the electric i3 sedan, so seeing it previewed on an M5 made a certain amount of sense—at least on paper.

Then came the second prototype. Same car, same mission, but a noticeably more conservative approach. The kidneys looked closer to the current design, and the overall effect was far more traditional BMW than concept-car experiment. A recent rendering based on this newer prototype strips away the camouflage and suggests BMW may be walking back some of its bolder ideas.

Which version looks better? That’s up for debate. What’s harder to argue is what this all implies: BMW appears to be actively rethinking the M5’s facelift in public view.

Both prototypes shared some common ground. The headlights are slimmer, taking cues from the upcoming iX3, and the changes seem destined to extend beyond the M5 to the regular 5 Series lineup. The G61 5 Series Touring has already been spotted with a toned-down Neue Klasse-inspired front end, hinting that whatever BMW decides here will ripple across the range.

What makes this situation unusual isn’t that BMW is revising a facelift—it’s when and how we’re seeing it happen. Automakers frequently change course during development, but those decisions are usually finalized long before prototypes start racking up miles on public roads. Watching two different facelift philosophies play out in real time is rare.

The rumored reason for the pivot? Customer feedback. Internal studies and external research reportedly suggested that the more aggressive Neue Klasse look might not land as well as BMW hoped, particularly on a car as expensive and performance-focused as the M5. A subtler update, the thinking goes, would be safer—and more in line with buyer expectations.

There’s also a financial angle. The 5 Series and M5 are among roughly 40 models slated to receive BMW’s Neue Klasse interior and next-generation iDrive system. That’s already a massive investment. Adding extensive exterior reengineering on top of costly interior tech upgrades for cars that aren’t clean-sheet designs could push budgets into uncomfortable territory.

Of course, camouflage can be misleading, and prototypes don’t always tell the full story. For now, the facelifted 5 Series and M5 remain a waiting game. Production of the LCI models reportedly won’t begin until July 2027, putting an official reveal sometime in 2026 at the earliest.

Until then, BMW’s indecision is on full display—and for once, that might be the most interesting part of the story.

Source: BMW; Photo: Kolesa.ru

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