The Toyota S-FR Might Not Be Dead After All

There’s nothing we like more than a rumour about Toyota potentially adding yet another model to its already expansive stable of performance cars. In recent months, there’s been buzz around potential revivals of the MR2 and Celica, a bespoke ‘GR GT’ sports car that’ll serve as a homologation special for the brand’s upcoming GT3 racer, and even a possible return of the Starlet with a range-topping GR version.

Well, now there’s another to add to the list: the S-FR. You might remember it as a concept that debuted back in 2015: a tiny front-engined, rear-drive sports car with a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder that would have competed directly with entry-level versions of the Mazda MX-5.

At one stage, it seemed all but confirmed for production, but things eventually went quiet and it seemed the project had been killed off. Now, however, it could be back on the cards, if the latest reports in Japan are to be believed. As with rumours of MR2 and Starlet revivals, this story originates with Japanese magazine Best Car.

Supposedly, the born-again S-FR is being co-developed with Suzuki and Daihatsu, the latter of which is also tied to rumours around the Starlet revival. That car is purported to be using a detuned, downsized version of the GR Yaris’ turbo three-cylinder, in 1.3-litre, 148bhp form, and it’s thought that the same engine will find its way into the production S-FR. 

A similar engine appeared in last year’s Daihatsu Vision Copen concept, which is also a small, rear-drive, two-seater roadster. Best Car suggests that the three companies will each sell a model on the platform – Toyota the S-FR, Daihatsu a new Copen, and Suzuki a potential revival of the Cappuccino. Supposedly, an 1100kg kerb weight is being targeted.

Should the S-FR hit production, it’ll reportedly go on sale in Japan in 2026 or 2027 at the equivalent of just over £18,000. As always with these things, if it makes it to the UK, expect that to increase significantly.

It’s hard to imagine that every single one of the performance car projects Toyota is currently rumoured to be working on will make production, but if even one or two of them end up on sale, we’ll be very happy. It’s quite the turnaround for a company that, at one point, seemed to have given up on driving enjoyment altogether.