- An episode of Toyota’s GRIP Anime Series contained a hidden surprise in the background.
- A list of potential Toyota sports cars featured names like the Supra, Celica, MR2, GR86, and GR GT3.
- This teaser might be Toyota’s first official hint at the much-rumored GR sports car lineup.
Over the past few years, speculation has been rife about Toyota’s plans for its sports car lineup, with rumors swirling around the possible revival of once popular nameplates like the Celica and MR2. Now, there’s even more fuel to the fire—a teaser that seems to be tucked away in an official Toyota anime series.
The Easter egg appears in the background of a scene from Season 2, Episode 1 of Toyota’s GRIP Anime series. At around the 0:47 mark, amid a brief pause in the racing action, one of the characters is seen standing next to a whiteboard with a list of model names scribbled on it. The board reads like a wishlist for Toyota die-hards:
- Supra MK6
- Celica MK8
- MR2 MK4
- GR 86 MK3
- GR GT3
The animated clip was uploaded on YouTube over a month ago by Toyota USA. This short, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment might have flown under the radar if not for a keen-eyed fan on the Supra MKV Forums. User Supra93 spotted the names on the board, took a screenshot, and promptly shared it with the rest of the Toyota enthusiast community
Classic Review: 1976 Toyota Celica Restomod Will Make You Fall In Love With JDM Again
This list might be an early glimpse into the future lineup of Gazoo Racing, aligning neatly with previous rumors. The real headline here is the long-awaited return of the Celica and MR2, set to debut in their eighth and fourth generations, respectively.
The Celica is expected to return as a front-engined coupe, while the MR2 could make its comeback as a mid-engined sports car, potentially inspired by (or even based on) the FT-Se concept. According to the latest reports, both models will be offered with Toyota’s new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing around 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS) and paired with an AWD system. Furthermore, the MR2 might also be available in fully electric form, producing over 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS).
These two additions would join the GR Supra and the GR 86, which will live to see another generation. Finally, a production version of the wild Toyota GR GT3 concept from 2022 could serve as the flagship. The V8-powered supercar could be a twin to the rumored Lexus LFR which recently made its spy debut with a production body.
More: Toyota GR Transforms The Humble Hilux Champ Into A Track Monster
The list doesn’t mention the GR Yaris and GR Corolla hot hatchbacks, or the heavily rumored full-blown GR version of a Toyota SUV. Then again, those models are souped-up takes on mainstream five-door cars, while the animators seem focused on true sports coupes. Another interesting bit is the sketch of a fourth-gen Celica liftback on the top right corner, alongside an exploded view of a powertrain.
Are you hyped for the future of Toyota Gazoo Racing, or is a lineup boasting six two-door models just a bit too much for one automaker to handle?
H/T to Linda!