A Name That Refuses to Fade
The idea of a revived Toyota MR2 has circulated for years, kept alive by offhand comments, prototype development, and scattered trademark filings in different markets. None of them ever felt substantial enough to suggest a real program was underway, but they did keep fans from dropping the conversation. Toyota hasn’t done much to quiet the speculation either, especially as its Gazoo Racing division expanded and performance models like the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR86, and GR Supra anchored the brand’s enthusiast base.
This is why Toyota’s newest move stands out. A fresh trademark filing in Japan uses the name GR MR2, and it’s easily the strongest sign yet that the mid-engine sports car might be returning. It doesn’t confirm a production vehicle, but it gets much closer than any previous breadcrumb.
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The Filing From Last Week
Japanese publication Best Car discovered the “GR MR2” filing on Japan’s official patent information platform. The application was submitted on November 25, 2025, and will enter the usual review process before registration, which could be completed as early as 2026. Toyota hasn’t commented, but the timing, format, and placement are notable.
Linking the MR2 name with “GR” fits Toyota’s current approach to performance branding. That’s why we call it the GR86 now instead of just 86, and the GR Supra instead of just Supra. Toyota has been consistent about consolidating sporty nameplates under one identity, with its upcoming flagship GR GT supercar also bearing the same moniker. The same logic would apply naturally to a mid-engine model.
Best Car also noted the absence of any “GR Celica” trademark filings, despite earlier speculation that Toyota’s secret project could revive the Celica name. The lack of such filings doesn’t settle the debate of which one’s coming or not, but it does tilt expectations toward MR2 instead of the Celica.
What the Early Info Suggests
The Japanese magazine believes the model under development uses the internal code 710D and could launch in 2028 as a mid-engine, four-wheel-drive sports car. They claim it will feature a next-generation G20E 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing around 500 hp and 406 lb-ft, with dimensions slightly larger and wider than the final-generation Celica.
Of note, and we couldn’t stress this enough, all of this should be treated cautiously, as early Japanese scoops often blend insider reporting with guesswork.
Whether these early details survive to the production stage – or whether Toyota actually revives the MR2 name at all – remains uncertain. Trademark filings are not commitments so much as preparations. Still, one thing seems clear: Toyota isn’t ignoring the demand for a mid-engine sports car, and the MR2 conversation is becoming harder for the company to pretend it can’t hear.
