Rumormill (again): Toyota working on MR2, Supra successor

Toyota FT-HS Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Knowing how long it takes to get a car from clean-sheet to showroom, we have a tough time believing that automakers can simply turn new car programs on and off seemingly every quarter. The rumor is back, at least in Autocar, that Toyota is working on a new MR2 and a hybrid Supra. A cursory glance through the Autoblog archives has found no less than eight stories on the return and demise and return of the Supra, going back to 2006 (here, here, here, here, here, here and here).

The latest "evidence" is that with hybrid sales on the upswing, the idea of a V6 hybrid sports car makes sense. Again. However, it's being developed alongside the FT-86, a car that appears to be resurrected only so that it can be delayed. The most recent date for seeing either car is 2013.

It's suggested that the MR2 will get a 1.5-liter hybrid, following the template of the popular-in-Japan Honda CRZ. According to the report, though, the MR2 "is the pet project of Hiromu Naruse, Toyota's chief test driver." Sadly, Naruse died this week while testing another one of his pet projects, the Lexus LFA. Being only in the stage of a "pet project" and having lost its leader, the only truth about a new MR2 might be that it's on hold again. Or maybe not – stay tuned next week when we announce the new RX-7 and NSX are officially a go...