New Toyota MR2 Is Imminent, Could Be Sold Under the GR Brand

A series of trademark filings suggests that the new MR2 could wear GR logos instead of Toyota badges, as Toyota spins off its performance subbrand.By Caleb MillerPublished: Dec 10, 2025Save Article

Toyota

Toyota has filed for trademarks for “GR MR2” in Japan and “GR MR-S” in Australia, after registering “MR2” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in August.
This suggests that the MR2 could be sold as a GR-branded vehicle instead of a Toyota, just like the new 641-hp GR GT.
It could borrow styling from the FT-Se concept, which was festooned with GR badges, but should use a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine instead of electric motors.

Although the current Toyota Supra is on its deathbed, confirmed by the arrival of a Final Edition for 2026, the Japanese automative giant is not done with sports cars. Along with the GR Corolla hot hatch and affordable GR86 coupe, Toyota is readying the 2027 GR GT, a dramatic coupe packing a V-8 hybrid powertrain that will take Gazoo Racing from subbrand to full-fledged spinoff when it arrives late next year. Now it appears that Toyota’s next sports car, expected to revive the hallowed MR2 name, could follow in the GT’s branding footsteps.Toyota

While Toyota hasn’t outright confirmed that a new MR2 is on the way, there are a few strong hints. Along with showing the FT-Se concept at the 2023 Tokyo auto show, Toyota also trademarked the name “MR2” in the United States in August, filed under “automobiles and structural parts thereof.”

But now, two additional trademark filings suggest the MR2’s return is drawing closer. They point to the probability of the sports car being sold under the GR brand rather than with Toyota badges. As reported by The Drive, Toyota applied to trademark “GR MR2” last week with the Japan Patent Office, just after it registered “GR MR-S” in Australia. (The third-generation MR2 was called the MR-S in Japan.) It’s also worth pointing out that the FT-Se concept was covered in GR badges, with not a Toyota logo in sight.Toyota

The GR Yaris M concept featured a mid-mounted turbocharged four-cylinder.

As for details about the new MR2, well, things are sparse. We expect it to borrow styling cues from the FT-Se, which was revealed as an EV but featured decidedly mid-engined proportions and bodywork covered in sharp angles and creases. While the FT-Se was envisioned as electric, we don’t think the next-generation MR2 will be.

Instead, we’re expecting a four-cylinder engine mounted amidships, something Toyota revealed it was working on with the GR Yaris M in January 2025. For that concept, the automaker took a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and stuck it behind the rear seats of Toyota’s littlest hot hatch. The GR Yaris M is being run in Japan’s Super Taikyu series to test the setup, so we think Toyota is serious about a mid-engined sports car. The engine could be tuned to have well over 300 horsepower, and we wouldn’t be shocked if a hybrid setup were to join the lineup at some point.

Let’s hope the new MR2 comes with a manual gearbox, but we’ll have to wait until more details emerge in the near future.