Toyota has unveiled a revolutionary mid-engined, rear-wheel drive GR Yaris at Tokyo Auto Salon, potentially signaling the return of the iconic MR2 sports car.

The GR Yaris M Concept features a mid-mounted 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, marking a significant departure from the standard GR Yaris's front-engine layout. While specific power figures remain undisclosed, it's expected to exceed the standard model's 280hp output.

Toyota's development approach follows their "driver-first" philosophy, subjecting the vehicle to rigorous testing under harsh conditions to identify and improve potential failure points.

This concept could be a testbed for a new MR2, which Toyota recently teased in their "Grip" anime series. A whiteboard shown in the series listed "mk4 MR2" alongside other future models.

The MR2 Legacy:

First Generation (W10, 1984-1989):

• Featured 1.5L or 1.6L engines
• Supercharged version introduced in 1986
• Distinctive wedge-shaped design

Second Generation (W20, 1989-1999):

• Offered 2.0L and 2.2L engine options
• Turbocharged variants available
• Sleeker, more refined styling

Third Generation (W30, 1999-2007):

• Convertible-only design
• 1.8L four-cylinder engine
• Maintained mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout

While the GR Yaris M Concept shows promise for a future MR2, development is still in early stages. The concept represents Toyota's first mid-engined hot hatch since the Renault Clio V6 of the early 2000s, demonstrating the company's commitment to innovative performance vehicles.

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