Toyota to revive MR2 as Prius Coupe?
March 19, 2009 by George Skentzos
Toyota executive vice president Masatami Takimoto has reportedly confirmed the brand is set to revive the MR2 nameplate as a hybrid performance coupe to rival Honda’s upcoming CR-Z.
The hybrid MR2 will swap its traditional roadster shape in favour of a coupe design – effectively becoming a more exciting two-door version of the Prius.
The new hybrid would feature a specially developed version of the Prius hybrid powertrain, adapted for performance, economy and low emissions coupled with a paddleshift transmission.
“We are aware of the fondness with which the MR2 is held in the UK and Europe, and are developing a small hybrid sports car.” said Mr Takimoto speaking with Auto Express.
“We have set a tough price point, as it will be easier to sell if it is affordable. It has to be fun to drive, too, which means the hybrid set-up must be different to the Prius’, with greater responsiveness.”
While virtually nothing is known about how the new coupe will look, an artist’s rendering integrating styling cues from Toyota’s FT-HS (Future Toyota Hybrid Sport) concept may give us a good idea – follow the link below to take a look.
Source: Auto Express
Print it: 
It actually makes sense to make a sports car a hybrid, for performance rather than ‘green’ purposes (if you believe they are green). The instant torque you get out of an electric motor, plus the added power from the petrol engine of course, can be quite beneficial.
P.S. That picture of the car above looks hot!
Wrong colour should be black, darth vader meets prius .
“The hybrid MR2 will swap its traditional roadster shape in favour of a coupe design – effectively becoming a more exciting two-door version of the Prius.”
Haven’t two of the three previous MR2s been coupes? Only the last one was a “roadster”.
Hmmm… hybrid sports car. Interesting concept, but doesn’t Tesla already lead in the electric sports car market? The only problem i see with electric/hybrid powertrains is the weight problem.
Lol imagine watching a hybrid car race… yeah right… watching is the only thing we could do since there won’t be any thumping engine noises from those “green” cars
Hmmm A mogadon powered sports coupe?? Toyota looking at building something that the consumers don’t want.
(ps Mogadon = Slow working dope)
Certainly would not drive anything so crass , ugly, boring pedestrian , more for the working classes .
You’ve already come to that conclusion axel? You must know something that the rest of the world including toyota doesn’t, if you can already make that sort of judgment on a car that won’t be built for at least another 3 years.
TOP COMMENTS AXEL AND FRONTMAN
Gee Frontman if the concept of a hybrid sports car was being touted by one of the manufacturers who’s products you are trying to flog you would no doubt be singing it’s praises. It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of a diesel sports car or even hot hatch was laughed at, yet they are now a reality. So whats to say a “sports” hybrid concept wont work?
Watching a hybrid car race would be like full scale slot car track.
May as well have all the drivers stand in the pits with Playstation controls.
Amusing the Toyota Exec slighting the performance of the Prius.Lol
Why don’t they just keep it simple? Keep the weight down, give it the engine from the Corolla and tune it a bit and make it RWD and fun. Simple. Looks like the MX5 will still not have any competitors.
The hairdressers would be able to plug their curlers straight into the batteries for that on the wing hair-doo!!
I think this would be fantastic. Bring it on. Don’t let the Prius references muddy your ideas of what this car could be.
So the pictures of the Toyota FT-HS has now represented pics of what “perhaps the Supra might look like” and now a hybrid MR2. RIGHT ! Whats next ?
Dlr1 don’t be so quick to try to guess what others would think. Just for the record, whilst not being a fan of Prius (mostly because of it’s looks) I am somewhat partial to the Hybrids that look more conventional. Civic, Fusion, Escape, Highlander, Camry etc.
It is not the badge that I find amusing it is the concept. A hybrid, by Toyota definition, is desigened to offer greener motoring. Use less fuel, put out less harmfull CO2 yada yada yada! A sports coupe by nature should be a vehicle that entices the driver to find it’s limits, thus negating any of the benefits offered by the hybrid synergy driveline. I am fully aware that Toyota have struggled with this concept of driver orientated coupes before (Celica, Paseo, T18) but by now they should be getting closer. This thing would be better served with a small high performance Turbo diesel to be green and fun.
You have to understand.
Sports cars are getting harder to be “approved” for production due to all the regulations.
Also the market is niche… VERY NICHE…. lucky to make a couple of million profit in a year in such a market.
A Hybrid sports car in the other hand has potential.
Torque is no problem with Hybrids = 800NM is possible.
kW/hp = is the issue. But keeping it light and as low as possible (small too) solves that easily.
Turbos are hard to pass regulation these days. Why do you think current sports cars from Nissan and others are V8s or V6s. Because easier to be “approved” globally.
Emissions are tough these days.
If Toyota can keep this car reasonably light (900kg), with around 120kW maybe 600NM of torque. That would be a pretty darn good start.
If not under 1000kg, maybe around 1100kg… tune the engine to around 150kW and 650NM torque… thats GUN still.
And since its hybrid, there IS an incentive for people to buy it still… over the other sports cars (V8s and V6s).
Cheaper to re-fuel and has a more up to date driveline/power train.
And Bavarian Missile..
The FT-HS was never proclaimed to be the Supra.
I’m a HUGE Supra enthusiast (JZA) and MR2 (SW20) and the FT-HS was never proclaimed by official Toyota people as the Supra. Since it was a Toyota “sports car” concept people and the media put the “Supra” mantle on it.
A Mid-rear Supra?… unheard of. If anything the FT-HS was a replacement for both MR2 and Supra. Although I have seen concepts for next MR2.
And AXEL…
I guarantee you, that if the badge on that car didnt say Toyota.. You’d be interested..
You’re a hater of Toyota… understandable.
Hey Lukaas maybe not officially ,but was on this site like others as you say.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/13.....nt-page-2/
Interesting to read some of the comments back then 2 years ago,some of the same people commented then as they have on this thread. ;)
Alex said – “Looks like the MX5 will still not have any competitors.”
Mazda can keep the fabulous hairdresser market to themselves hahaha
“It has to be fun to drive, too,”
That’s been HONDA’S motto for the past few years!The out-going CEO Mr Fukui always mentioned that in his speeches over the years.
I’m still waiting to see what Toyota has “cooked” up to counter-act Honda’s new jet aircraft?
A couple of years ago Toyota had an one-legged robot to show the world…it was supposed to serve some purpose,but I can’t remember what exactly.It also had robots that could “blow” into trumpets to create music……..whatever?I still however,don’t think that ASIMO has too much to worry about from Toyota.
Why are Toyota recycling these pictures again,Just build it,whatever its called.
Phill, if you bother to read the article, it is not toyota “recycling” the pictures, it’s the media.
Just build it,whatever its called.
Looks like a stormtrooper! Probably as smart as well….he says, toungue firmly planted in cheek ;)
QUOTE DAN:
“Alex said – “Looks like the MX5 will still not have any competitors.”
Mazda can keep the fabulous hairdresser market to themselves hahaha”
I pity the fool.
Correct Aball, don’t know where the “traditional roadster” comment came from. The MR2 was “traditionally” a coupe “Mid-ship Runabout 2 seater”. As long as it has these elements it can be called an MR2. As soon as the engine goes in the front and front wheel drive it becomes a Celica.