Toyota Gazoo Racing set the internet ablaze earlier this week after teasing a “two-seat, mid-ship” vehicle debut for the Tokyo Auto Salon. The post immediately ignited speculation that the long-dormant MR2 nameplate was finally headed for a comeback.
Instead, following a bizarre, boxing-themed press conference, Gazoo Racing unveiled a two-seat, mid-ship vehicle that was very much not an MR2.
Rather than a mid-engine sports car, Toyota’s performance division rolled out a heavily customized Daihatsu Hijet kei truck. The build was part of a playful, rivalry-themed booth that pitted Toyota Gazoo Racing against Daihatsu, with each brand presenting its own vision of a hardcore kei truck concept.
Daihatsu’s entry, dubbed the Hijet “Star Climber,” leans fully into off-road capability. The tiny truck features a wrap-around external cage in place of its roof, aggressive all-terrain tires, and a stripped-down, trail-ready aesthetic. Despite its diminutive footprint, the Star Climber looks like one of the most capable off-road kei trucks ever shown.
Gazoo Racing answered with its own build, the Hijet “Morizo K-Trail.” Wearing massive mud-ready tires and a custom “Morizo Rookie Racing” wordmark, the GR truck pushes the classic off-road formula to absurd extremes. Cage-style doors, a roll-bar-mounted light array, and even two extra seats mounted in the bed complete the look — all on a vehicle far smaller than any traditional off-road rig.
While the kei trucks may not be the MR2 successor enthusiasts were hoping for, we’re totally here for it.
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