Toyota MR2 is a mid-engine sports car built by Toyota from 1984 to 2007. The MR2 was the first Japanese mid-engine production sports car, the other being the Honda NSX. It is build to be a cheap, reliable, daily car.
It uses a small naturally-aspirated inline-4 engines from 1.5 to 2.2-litre; turbocharged 2-litre only in second-gen with 250-bhp and supercharged for first-gen. First-gen MR2 collaborate with Lotus purposely to improve handling, a 1.5 and 1.6-litre sourced from the E80 Corolla; 1.6-litre marks the use of the fuel-injection. Body design is more boxy but few curves and being smaller than the second-gen. First-gen produced until 1989.
Second-gen MR2 receives many redesign more aerodynamic and more rounded. Although, the car design cues from the Ferrari nicknamed as "Poor's Man Ferrari" or "Baby Ferrari". Engine was replaced with 2-litre only comes with an optional turbocharged which is the most-powered. Turbocharged 2-litre is sourced from the Celica GT-Four. 1993 MY MR2 has a snap-oversteer issue though it address on the following MY-model. It porduced until 1998. In Europe, turbocharged MR2 is not offered including the UK it is presumably for emission compliance.
Third-gen MR2 launched in 1999, coupe bodystyle replaced as the convertible model both with soft and hard-top. Engine replaced the newer version with 1.8-litre. The reception is mixed, however, the ZZW30 has a near perfect handling despite its lacking power rated at 140-hp and relativity light as ~970 kg (~2140 lbs).
In 2007, Toyota permanently ceased in production due to low sales, along the Toyota Celica. In UK has its special variant the TF300 with 180-hp only in 2007.
Appearances[]
- In a 1985 Old Top Gear episode, Sue Baker roadtested the newly launched AW11 and gave her impressions.
- In Series 23, Episode 6 of Old Top Gear, Tiff Needell roadtested the newly launched SW20 MR2 and the ST185 Celica GT-Four. The ST185 Celica was praised for plenty of room on the boot, good performance, comfort and safety, with the downsides being the unusual car styling, price and lack of responsiveness. The SW20 MR2 has good driving position, handling and fun, but the downside is that the GT-models are not equip with a catalytic converter.
- In Series 24 (Old Top Gear), Needell takes the MR2 to measure the roll, grip and G-force. The MR2 skids off due to the lift oversteer.
- In 1995 Old Top Gear episode, Quentin Willson ranks the second-gen MR2 on eighth place on K-Reg Power Survey as being reliability build.
- In Series 45 (Old Top Gear), Needell roadtested the ZZW30 MR2 Spyder, the car has a much better handling although understeer/oversteer is controllable. He stated the MR2 is a real drivers car, the boot has no room, but the storage space is tight. He praised the car and the price.
- In Series 4, Episode 9, Richard Hammond reviewed the ZZW30 MR2 Spyder, Mazda MX-5 NB, and the Fiat Barchetta. In the comparison the MR2 is on par with the NB MX-5, but Richard ultimately chose the MX-5 for its chassis, handling and price.
- In Series 18, Episode 7, James May purchased a rallycross modified SW20 MR2 for 450 quid. James have a good start jumps to second place, however he dropped to last position in final lap where he fails to execute properly in a similar matter in rallying sliding through corner, but he managed to stay on the track until finish. In every qualifying session his car sustained further damage and unable to qualified in race session.
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