MR2 Coming Back as a Hybrid?

Toyota has set its sights on producing some exciting new vehicles that will help it to connect with enthusiasts. Vehicles from Toyota have been criticized as appliances that don't provide much in the way of excitement.

For Lexus, the LF-A was introduced after a long development process, and the FT-86 Concept is destined for production at the Toyota division.

Rival Honda has made waves with the CR-Z Concept that is in the works for production. Japan's Best Car magazine has Toyota planning a competitor by reviving a recent sports model - the MR2, but this time called the MR-S.

The MR2 was seen as an affordable mid-engined sports car, but it didn't do very well in the United States in the years leading up to its demise.  Best Car says they want to try it again, this time aiming squarely at the CR-Z in terms of inexpensive fun.

A refashioned MR-S would still be mid-engined, but powered by a special version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system found in the Prius. Does this speculation have any grounding in reality? Who knows, but it will be interesting to see what comes out of Toyota's quest to reach a younger market.