Akio Toyoda Hinted at a Mid-Engine Surprise and Definitely Meant it Literally | Carscoops

      Morizo’s latest mid-engine vehicle is in stark contrast to the anticipated revival of the GR MR2.

      8 hours ago

      By Thanos Pappas

      Toyota's president hinted at a mid-engine surprise for the event.

      Ultimately, it revealed two modified kei trucks rather than an MR2.

      The lifted GR concept narrowly won a vote against the competing truck.

      Akio Toyoda surprised everyone with a clever teaser ahead of the Tokyo Auto Salon, stating he had acquired a mid-engine two-seater for customization at the show, which naturally led to discussions about an MR2 revival. However, it was actually a rugged kei truck he was referring to. Well played, sir.

      The enigmatic vehicle is based on the Daihatsu Hijet Truck, a cabover kei truck featuring a naturally mid-mounted engine and two-seater configuration, which technically aligns with Toyoda's description, but the final product is worlds apart from the sleek GR-branded coupe that fans anticipated.

      Moreover, Toyoda, who races under the alias "Morizo," did not simply acquire a standard Daihatsu Hijet. Instead, he collaborated with both Gazoo Racing and Daihatsu to create unique versions of the compact truck, inviting attendees at the Tokyo Auto Salon to vote for their favorite. Toyoda referred to the competition as a “parent-child quarrel,” subtly alluding to the relationship between Toyota and Daihatsu.

      Gazoo Racing produced the Toyota GR Hijet Morizo K-Trail, while Daihatsu crafted the Hijet Jumbo Star Climber. These are one-off concepts, never intended for mass production, with only Morizo allowed to drive away in the winning truck.

      GR Hijet Gears Up for Off-Road Adventures

      The GR-branded Hijet is optimized for off-road performance, featuring oversized wheels and a suspension lift kit. It boasts shock absorbers from the GR 86, and the compact 660cc engine has received a turbo boost for added power.

      The GR Hijet Morizo K-Trail has a fully redesigned front end, drawing grille and bumper design inspirations from the Land Cruiser Series 300. It retains the standard halogen headlights while incorporating an additional row of roof-mounted lights.

      Other enhancements include a protective bull bar at the front, tube doors, side-mounted exhaust pipes from the GR Corolla hot hatch, and a custom roll bar at the rear. Lastly, the compact vehicle has been fitted with four independent bucket seats (two positioned in the rear bed) to allow more people to enjoy rides with Morizo at the helm.

      Daihatsu’s Hijet Jumbo Star Climber

      Shifting focus to the other competitor, the Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo Star Climber is tailored for work, leisure, and rescue missions. It sports a unique green paint that changes shades with lighting conditions and includes various accessories.

      The cab has been transformed with a tubular frame replacing the windshield and roof, making it an open-air vehicle. A robust front bull bar equipped with an integrated skid plate connects to the roof rack, which is fitted with six LED spotlights.

      The rear bed features a corresponding “kangaroo bar” and a lockable cargo box for storing caterpillar tracks. Although Daihatsu did not showcase these in action, they likely serve the purpose of upgrading the rear axle for tougher challenges.

      The Hijet Star Climber runs on 16-inch wheels wrapped in rugged Yokohama Geolandar tires. It stands four inches taller due to a lift kit and includes extended plastic fenders, full LED lighting, and a snorkel connected to the turbocharged 660cc engine, which remains mid-mounted.

      Inside, there are two Bride bucket seats fitted with four-point harnesses from Sabelt, aluminum pedals, and a custom aftermarket shift knob.

      Event Highlights and Additional Notes

      Both concepts attracted significant attention at the Auto Salon, with the final vote being closely contested. The Toyota GR Hijet Morizo K-Trail won by a margin of just 59 points, securing 3,579 votes compared to the Star Climber’s 3,520.

      Additionally, the Morizo-themed specials were not the only Hijets present at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon. Daihatsu also showcased the Hijet Truck Panel Van Extend3 and the chrome-detailed PTO Dump Truck Daihatsumei concepts at its booth. Full presentations can be viewed in the videos below.