Toyota GR Yaris M Concept Hints At A Mid-Engine Future (MR2 Revival?)

Toyota has taken the already wild GR Yaris and turned it into something completely unexpected for the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon. Meet the GR Yaris M Concept, a reimagined version of the hot hatch with a brand-new setup: a mid-engine layout.

Behind the seats, Toyota has fitted a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine they’re calling the "G20E." Toyota refers to it as an "underdeveloped" powertrain, indicating its ongoing development. This hints that it might be part of a next-gen engine lineup they’re quietly working on. What’s not so clear is whether the car sticks with all-wheel drive or switches to rear-wheel drive, but either way, this is a major shake-up.

The mid-engine design feels like more than just an experiment—it’s almost like a preview of something bigger. Toyota has been dropping hints about bringing back the MR2, and this setup could be a testbed for what’s to come. For now, Toyota is putting the GR Yaris M Concept through its paces in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series, a grueling endurance racing championship. They’re planning to push it to the edge, fix whatever breaks, and push it again, all to refine the new engine in real-world conditions.

Whether this concept evolves into a production car or just lays the groundwork for something else, it’s exciting to see Toyota stepping out of their comfort zone and trying something bold. This is the kind of ambition that gets enthusiasts buzzing.