Toyota has released an audio clip in which the big man himself, Akio Toyoda, suggests that he’s bringing a Toyota MR2 to the Tokyo Auto Salon. The soundbite, in which the chairman discusses a mid-engined sports car with an unnamed Toyota employee, has sent fans around the world into a frenzy of speculation.
／／#東京オートサロン まであと「6」日
＼＼#モリゾウ が手に入れたミッドシップ2シーターの新しいクルマとは!?
果たして東京オートサロンまでにカスタムは間に合うのか？#tokyoautosalon2026@tokyoautosalon pic.twitter.com/FvfWujEEre— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (@TOYOTA_GR) January 3, 2026
Here’s a translation of the audio segment:
Staff: Morizo-san, I hear you got yourself a new car?
Morizo: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. A mid-engine two-seater!
Staff: So that’s the one, then?
Morizo: That one, yeah, that one.
Staff: And you’ve had it customized again?
Morizo: Yeah, I’m having it customized right now.
Staff: Will you make it to the Tokyo Auto Salon?
Morizo: I hope to make it in time.
Most of the western world has interpreted this as a tease of a fourth-gen MR2. There’s definitely evidence to support that, as there have been many rumors of Toyota developing one and even a recent trademark filing for the name GR MR2.
On the other hand, the talk of customization seems to indicate that Morizo may have obtained an older MR2 and modified it. The Auto Salon is all about mods, but it certainly would be out of character for Toyota to debut a customized new model before it even showed the stock version.
Gun to head, we’d go with the latter. Toyota’s been teasing a Celica for years and we have yet to see the car. There are also rumors that the Celica would be mid-engined. We’re not saying a GR MR2 isn’t happening, but maybe this is the first step in a long buildup to a fourth-gen MR2. If that’s the case, a modified classic MR2 would make a great kickoff. The question then would be, which generation is Morizo arriving in?
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We don’t sell out like that.
boxy 80′ vibe with hidrógen powered engine 😁
I love how the former boss of the Big T is still making big swings and actively plays a role in the company’s future. This is not the norm, but his influence is great. Did he step down but then get rehired with a secret mission to use guerrilla marketing tactics?
This is great. I love Akio, and personally, I hope it’s just a modified SW20 with a big poster of the new MR silhouette in the background.