What If Toyota Reinvented The 2000GT Supercar For The 21st Century?

Under the supervision of current president Akio Toyoda, the Toyota brand has become more emotional than ever.

Only ten years ago, no one would have dared dream of sports cars like the 86, Yaris GRMN or a new Supra, let alone a Toyota hypercar. Yes, the Japanese company has a 1,000PS hypercar in its plans too, as the GR Super Sport Concept indicated in early 2018 at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

Furthermore, a Mazda MX-5 rival inspired by the S-FR Concept is also in the cards, according to recent reports.

But any conversation about emotional Toyota models has to start with the legendary 2000GT, Japan’s first supercar. Launched in 1967, the rear-wheel-drive fastback coupé built in collaboration with Yamaha helped change the world’s view of Japan as a maker of unremarkable, no-frills vehicles.

Now that sports cars are back in Toyota’s favor, many enthusiasts are probably wondering what a modern-day 2000GT would look like. Well, a talented designer has already envisioned it and we’re absolutely thrilled with his creation.

Taiwan-based designer Li Yulin has penned a coupé with dramatic proportions, flowing lines, and just the right dose of retro-styled details — the most obvious being the Kammback rear end and the tunneling lights.

Highlights include the long bonnet (the most obvious tribute to the original 2000GT), short front overhangs, pushed back cabin, and massive wheels. There are some Supra influences there as well, such as the double-bubble roof and the contour of the side windows.

Unfortunately, we won’t get to see something like this happening soon, if ever. As a Toyota engineer recently told Motoring, there wouldn’t be a new Supra if it weren’t for the 2019 BMW Z4. A car like this would make no economic sense unless it was co-developed with another carmaker. It’s a shame something as trivial as profit stands in the way of Toyota bringing back the 2000GT nameplate.