Although Toyota
hasn't traditionally been known for its sports cars, over the years it has produced a few vehicles in the category. These have included the GR Supra
, GR Yaris, and MR2. The latter car was last produced in 2007 and has since left fans clamoring for it to return to the Toyota lineup. Now rumors are swirling that there could actually be a 2024 Toyota MR2 in the works. But just how likely is the car to make a reappearance? Jerry
has all the details. The Toyota MR2 could return in 2024
Carbuzz
reports that one Japanese news outlet has indicated that Toyota is planning a release of a new MR2. According to these reports, the new MR2 will be based on another Toyota concept car, the Alessandro Volta.The Alessandro Volta, which made its debut as a concept all the way back in 2004, never actually made it into production. But if current reports are true, it may find itself reincarnated in a slightly new form as the next-generation MR2.
Carbuzz reports that the new MR2 "will look sharper and more aggressive than its humble-looking predecessor," so we're anxious to see what that could mean.
A look at the 2024 Toyota MR2's possible specs
The MR2 was last produced in 2007, and a lot has happened in the world of car technology since that time. So what can we expect from a possible fourth-gen MR2?
Reports indicate that the new MR2 will be released as a plug-in hybrid vehicle. It will come with either a 2.9-liter or 3.0-liter V6 and an electric motor capable of an extremely impressive combined 345-395 hp.
Of course, this power won't come cheap. The expected price for the car has been estimated at around $52,700, which would make it more expensive than other Toyota sports cars, such as the GR Supra, which has a base MSRP of $40,000.
How realistic is a 2024 Toyota MR2 revival?
While news reports of the expected rerelease of the MR2 have been circulating, there are other indications that it may be more a dream than actual reality.
One hint that the rumors may not be based in reality was a statement given last year by Toyota's vice president of Europe, Matt Harrison, who said that a new MR2 is "not a priority."
There's another hurdle Toyota would have to overcome if it were to decide to go back to producing MR2s as well. That's the fact that sports car sales have been in decline for some time, meaning that it's becoming harder for car manufacturers to find a reason to invest in producing them.
To reduce costs, car manufacturers occasionally combine efforts to produce sports cars. Such was the case when Toyota worked with BMW to develop the GR Supra, or with Subaru on the Toyota 86. Perhaps a new MR2 will turn out to be a team effort as well. Only time will tell.
Get insured with Jerry's help
If you do buy a Toyota MR2, whether new or used, you'll need to make sure that it's properly insured. That's not always the easiest feat, however, given the time and energy that it takes to shop around and compare policies.
Thankfully, now there's a resource to make the process much simpler and faster: Jerry
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