Toyota recently held a press event in Japan to show off a couple rolling projects they’ve been working on behind the scenes. As you may remember, over the summer, Toyota hinted at bringing back the MR-2 and Celica with an all-new Toyota-designed 2-liter turbo. Now the MR-2 & Celica weren’t there… but here’s what WAS…
The Toyota 2-liter turbo…
And – it was stuffed into a current-model Lexus IS. We’re talkin’ the new, high-output 2.0-turbo making 400hp! In the Lexus IS demo car, the engine was mated to a quick-shifting 8-speed auto. But that’s not all…
There was also a Toyota Hilux (Tacoma) in attendance…
The Hilux had a 300hp variant of the 2-liter turbo AND it was mated to a manual transmission. It seems to be Toyota’s way of showing what we already knew, that manual transmissions have a home in Toyota’s diverse future. And here’s my favorite part…
Lurking in the shadows…
Not part of the event, but also not completely concealed, was a 2nd Lexus: A Lexus RC boasting a 600hp version of the new Toyota’s 2-liter turbo. What’s more? This Frankenstein Lexus RC had a MANUAL TRANSMISSION! Toyota claims the Lexus RC was built for motorsports. But c’mon – stick-shifts have become virtually obsolete in modern/professional racing. Unless this was a one-off project for Akio Toyoda or Koji Sato… I’m not totally buyin’ it. And you know what? I don’t think they necessarily want that story fully bought. Rather, I think they’re urging the underground to read between the lines here. So let’s do that…
I think there’s a solid chance some sauce is on the horizon for Lexus…
Unless (devil’s advocate) Toyota only used the RC because it’s a front-engine RWD platform… similar to what the new Celica would be. Why else would they be messing with manual transmissions behind Lexus badges, behind closed doors? On a similar topic, I talked to a Lexus Motorsports exec last year. And I ended up slipping into a rant about how the 90’s/2000’s tuner generation has grown into the Lexus demographic/age-bracket. And that lot of us feel a sense of loyalty towards Toyota’s leadership in a lost automotive industry. We just wish the Lexus brand would loosen its tie a little bit! To put it eloquently – I was saying that Lexus should flex some muscle & drag BMW’s d!ck through the dirt. And as I’m ranting-away, the Lexus-man’s nod, eyes, & grin are virtually completing my sentences as he says, “Just wait… it’s coming.”
It’s still mad-scientist lab work at this point…
But this is a strong indication that future Lexus models might also come with the high-horsepower 2-liter turbo. And fingers crossed that we’ll see manual transmissions grace Lexus platforms once again. One of the people hosting this event put the new 2-liter turbo at the same table with the legendary 2JZ. Meaning, they believe in the potential of this one. It’s energizing to see Toyota / Lexus working with this kind of fire.
As a car nation, we’re out here, waiting for a revolution over applianced automobiles. Car enthusiasts stand behind Toyota & Lexus. They’ve earned our admiration. We want new vehicles like these… we just have to find a way to bring these cars to market at a price that doesn’t fizzle demand & ability. It’s time for the masses to get re-exposed to the pure joys of driving.
Photos: Mike Forsythe
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I followed the Toyota press event with interest—Toyota’s push toward more radical Lexus platforms suggests a real shift in how luxury and performance might blend in future models. It feels like a smart move, especially as the industry adapts to electric and hybrid tech. From experience watching such transitions, it’s clear that new platforms often bring both opportunities and challenges in terms of durability and versatility. On a somewhat related note, when thinking about machinery evolution, I recently explored Truck1 eu and found some interesting listings like this Hitachi mini excavator: https://www.truck1.eu/construction-machinery/mini-excavators/hitachi-ue50-a6142657.html . While it’s a different category, it highlights how specialized equipment is adapting alongside vehicle tech, supported by a broad network of trusted dealers across Europe.