TOYOTA SET TO REVIVE MR2, CELICA AND LFA

Mid-engined MR2, 4WD Celica and V8 Lexus LFA successor on the way

-  CHARLIE MARTIN

Toyota is gearing up for a three-pronged assault on the sports car market by reviving the legendary Celica and MR2 names and preparing a brand-new group flagship in the vein of the firebreathing Lexus LFA.

The combustionpowered trio will form the backbone of a rebuilt sports car line-up, in essence filling gaps left by the GR Supra, which is at the end of its model life cycle globally, and the acclaimed GR86, whose time on sale in Europe was cut short by EU safety regulations.

Notably, the revival of the Celica and MR2 names, following the GR Supra, fulfils the ambition of company chairman Akio Toyoda to bring back the "three brothers".

Together with the GR Yaris and the GR Supra, which is reported to be due to arrive in nextgeneration guise in the coming years, the new trio are part of the push to bring a renewed sporting appeal to Toyota showrooms.

The Celica and MR2 are set to be powered by a fiery new turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. Named G20E, it was revealed at the recent Tokyo Auto Salon. Reports suggest the engine can develop more than 400bhp in roadgoing form and top 600bhp in motorsport applications.