--- title: "New Toyota MR2 Could Make Porsche Power, Cost Porsche Money" description: "Toyota is reportedly targeting 400 horsepower and all-wheel drive for its gas-powered MR2 revival—just in time for the 718's farewell." date: "2024-08-14" modified: "2024-08-14" authors: - name: "Chris Tsui" job_title: "Contributor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/new-toyota-mr2-could-make-porsche-power-cost-porsche-money" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Toyota News" --- # New Toyota MR2 Could Make Porsche Power, Cost Porsche Money ![]() *\Toyota\* The gas-powered Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman [may be going away](), but its spiritual torch may be carried on by a somewhat unlikely competitor: [Toyota](). Japan's [*Best Car*]() says Toyota is developing a "mid-engined 4WD" vehicle and that the vehicle may be bringing the MR2 name back with an unelectrified 2.0-liter four-cylinder "targeting" about 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The publication also says that this car will use all-wheel drive, specifically the GR-Four system found in the [GR Corolla](). This would be a big departure from MR2's past, especially considering the "R" in MR2 references rear-drive. For what it's worth, MA2 and M42 don't have quite the same ring. *Best Car* has previously said that a next-gen MR2 would come with the 1.6-liter three-cylinder powering the GR Corolla, but it's apparently now a 2.0-liter. About a month ago, Toyota put out [a video]() of an in-development four-cylinder which sounded quite good. The company previously announced that it is working on a family of 1.5- and 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engines—the 1.5 is said to be available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms, while the 2.0-liter is turbo-only. ![]() *Jayson Fong* ![]() *Jayson Fong* ![]() *Jayson Fong* Given Toyota is indeed developing small four-pots with an emphasis on driving fun, it's not that big of a stretch to think that a new MR2 is on the horizon. Over the first three generations of the sports car spanning 1984 to 2007—with very few exceptions—it's been powered by a compact four-cylinder ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 liters. *Best Car* goes on to say that a new MR2 would be available with either a six-speed manual or the eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) that was [just introduced in the 2025 GR Corolla](). Now for some bad news: the report also alleges that the new MR2 will come with a price tag of the yen equivalent of nearly $70,000 and be sold exclusively in Japan. Gas-powered, compact, mid-engine sports car making 400-ish hp and costing $70,000? Around these parts, that is what's known as a [Porsche]() Cayman. We've reached out to Toyota for comment. *Got a tip or question for the author about the next MR2? You can reach him here: chris.tsui@thedrive.com* ## Author Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto. ### Author social links [Instagram]()