MR2 Prius Coupe Rumors heating up

Nice! That looks nice, I'll take one!

 

How about a RWD HSD , keeping with MR2 tradition.
Along with selectable VSC + artificial paddle shift.

Any lesser of the above is a Roadster it isn't.
That can be a quite a revolution!

 

Certainly. I would certainly be interested in considering it.
For a long time, I've been saying that automakers need to put
their hybrid systems into body exteriors that are considered "cool" to the general public.
There is no reason why a car can't look sporty on the outside, and have an HSD on the inside. A Scion TC body bolted onto a Prius and with a Toyota emblem would sell HUGE with the general public. A Lexus IS body bolted onto a Prius would sell HUGE with the general public. So what is Toyota waiting for ???? I think this MR2-Prius is LOOOOOOOONG overdue!

Fact: I see just as many Civic hybrids on the road as I do Priuses. I drive a lot. My 2004 Corolla has 116K miles on it right now. I get a very good sampling of what other cars are on the highways and roads in Southern California. The general public has received the Civic hybrid very well. Mainstream body styles with hybrid systems in them are the future for mainstream society.

 

I think you guys are forgetting the important thing about the MR2 - the MR part. Unlike a IS or a tC, the MR2's engine is mid-mounted, which gives the vehicle interesting dynamics.

 

Um, if considering total system output, the 3G Prius allegedly produces 136hp already!

 

A small sportscar has been missing from the Toyota lineup for awhile now. Honda has the S2000, Mazda has the Miata, Nissan has the Z, and Toyota has.....

 

Honda dropped the S2000 last year (or the year before) so all they have is the Civic Si. The Mazdaspeeds and the RX-8 probably fills that role better than the Miata. You're also forgetting Hyundai, with it's Genesis Coupe. Personally, I'm hoping for a new '86

 

Seems to me I saw an article saying that Toyota is coming out with a sports car entry in the next 2 years. It had no name, but was said to be their first entry since the Celica.

I hope they do. I'd be one of the first in line. We owned 3 Celicas over the years and liked them all. Adding a hybrid line of cars with a sporty exterior would be a bonus.

Never owned one, but I always considered the late model Supra to be the ulimate sports car as far as looks.

 

Actually the new 86 is in the works under "086A†code. However this product will be with Subura and strictly non-hybrid.

 

I doubt it will be mid-mounted. Look at the picture, if it looks like the engine is in the front. And it said 2+2, if it is... it will be rare to have a mid-mounted car with a 2+2 config... unless you are Lotus...

 

Oh... I just hope Toyota Engineers (I mean Lawyers) can make the traction control less sensitive. Would love to allow the EV pull the car from a stop a lot harder... unlike how they programmed the Prius.

 

What's the point of a paddleshift with HSD? Seems like it just gives the driver something useless to play with.

 

Uhhh, I think you just answered your own question.

 

Hopefully they don't call this car a MR2. All 3 generations of MR2's have been 2 seat, mid-engine, RWD cars. They have been true sports cars with excellent handling. The car described is simply not anything close to what a MR2 has been in the past. However, Toyota could easily call this hybrid coupe a Celica. The Celica was a sporty styled 2+2 coupe and the name is open.

 

Bring it and they will come!

 

According to Motor Trend, the rumors are heating up again..
(except this time, badged as the CR-Z fighter)


December 30, 2009:
Toyota MR2 Revival? - Motor Trend

 

Sounds like another parallel re-match similar to Insight & Prius in terms of timing and pricing.

Don't you guys love competition?

 

Of course. Granted, given Toyota's recent 'stellar' track record regarding vehicle styling. Who knows what a hybrid MR2 would look like - Pontiac Aztec?

Here's a hint of what a cool looking hybrid coupe should look like.