Toyota MR2


The Toyota MR2 is a two-seater sports car which was manufactured and marketed by Toyota from 1984 until 2007 over three generations. It was the first Japanese rear-mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive production car and was sold around the world. The first generation was produced from 1984 to 1989, the second generation from 1989 to 1999, and the third generation from 1999 to 2007.
Conceived as a small, economical and sporty car, the MR2 features a straight-four engine, transversely mounted in front of the rear axle, four-wheel disc brakes, and fully independent coilover suspension with MacPherson struts on each wheel.
The name MR2 stands for either "mid-ship run-about 2-seater" or "mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-seater". In French-speaking markets, the vehicle was renamed Toyota MR because the abbreviation "MR2" sounds like the profanity "merde" when spoken in French.

Origins

The MR2 derived from a 1976 Toyota design project with the goal of a car which would be enjoyable to drive, yet still provide good fuel economy – not necessarily a sports car. Design work began in 1979 when Akio Yoshida from Toyota's testing department started to evaluate alternatives for engine placement and drive method, finalizing a mid-transverse engine placement. Toyota called the 1981 prototype SA-X.
From its original design, the car evolved into a sports car, and further prototypes were tested both in Japan and in the US. Significant testing was performed on race circuits including Willow Springs, where former Formula One driver Dan Gurney tested the car.
All three generations were in compliance with Japanese government regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement. The MR2 appeared around the same time as the Honda CR-X and the Nissan EXA from Japan, the Pontiac Fiero and Ford EXP from North America, and about a decade after the VW Scirocco and Fiat X1/9 from Europe made their debut.
Toyota debuted its SV-3 concept car in October 1983 at the Tokyo Motor Show, gathering press and audience publicity. The car was scheduled for a Japanese launch in the second quarter of 1984 under the name MR2.

First generation (W10; 1984–1989)

Toyota introduced the first-generation MR2 in 1984, designating it the model code "W10". When fitted with the 1.5-liter 3A engine, it was known as the "AW10". Likewise, the 1.6-liter 4A version is identified by the "AW11" code.
In Japan, the MR2 was marketed exclusively via Toyota's Toyota Auto Store and Toyota Vista Store, both rebranded in 1998 as Netz Toyota Store. At its introduction in 1984, the MR2 won the Car of the Year Japan.
As Toyota engineered the MR2 to accommodate a 2-liter engine, its primary features included its light body, strong handling, and low-power small-displacement engine. The car is often referred to as the AW11, referring to the chassis code of the most common 1.6-liter, A-engined versions.
The MR2's suspension and handling were designed by Toyota with the help of Lotus engineer Roger Becker. Toyota's cooperation with Lotus during the prototype phase can be seen in the AW11, and it owes much to Lotus's sports cars of the 1960s and 1970s. Toyota's active suspension technology, called TEMS, was not installed. With five structural bulkheads, the MR2 was quite heavy for a two-seater of its size.
Toyota employed the naturally aspirated 4A-GE straight-four engine, a DOHC four-valve-per-cylinder motor, borrowed from the E80 series Corolla. This engine was also equipped with Denso electronic port fuel injection and T-VIS variable intake geometry, giving the engine a maximum power output of in the US, in the UK, in Europe, in Australia and in Japan. Japanese models were later detuned to. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, with a four-speed automatic available as an option.
Road tests delivered 0– times in the mid- to high-8 second range and Dragstrip| times in the mid- to high-16 second range, significantly faster than the four-cylinder Pontiac Fiero or Fiat X1/9. In the home market, the AW10 base model was offered, which used the more economical 3A-U engine rated at.
In 1986, Toyota introduced a supercharged engine for the MR2. Based on the same block and head, the 4A-GZE was equipped with a small Roots-type supercharger and a Denso intercooler. T-VIS was eliminated and the compression ratio was lowered to 8:1. It produced at 6,400 rpm and of torque at 4,400 rpm and accelerated the car from 0 to in 6.5 to 7.0 seconds. The supercharger was belt-driven but actuated by an electromagnetic clutch, so that it would not be driven except when needed, increasing fuel economy. Curb weight increased to as much as for supercharged models, due to the weight of the supercharger equipment and a new, stronger transmission. A fuel selector switch was also added in some markets, to allow the car to run on regular unleaded fuel if required. In addition to the new engine, the MR2 SC was also equipped with stiffer springs, and received special "tear-drop" aluminum wheels. The engine cover had two raised vents that visually distinguished it from the naturally aspirated models. It was also labeled "SUPER CHARGER" on the rear trunk and body mouldings behind both doors. This model was never offered outside of the Japanese and North American markets, although some cars were privately imported to other countries.

Yearly changes

MK1a and MK1b are unofficial designations, but are frequently used by owners and vendors to distinguish between early production vehicles and later face-lifted models. While there are considerable differences detailed below, the most notable being that rear suspension components are not interchangeable between the MK1a and MK1b cars.
;MK1a – June 1984
Original introduction
;June 1985
  • Japanese model changes:
  • *Supercharged model introduced, offered with four-speed A/T or five-speed M/T
  • *T-bar roof option available
  • Color-keyed front lip and bumpers, side stripes, mudflaps, side skirts option now available
  • Mudflap removed for models equipped with "Aerodynamic Spoiler Package" as the side skirts are full-length along the side
  • Rear sunshade with Toyota logo above rear window added
  • Third brake light added
  • Leather interior option now available
  • Bigger 212 mm flywheel and clutch for naturally aspirated models
  • Rear anti-roll bar discontinued on North American models
;MK1b Facelift – August 1986
  • Powertrain changes:
  • *Naturally aspirated 4A-GE now upgraded with a "7-rib" structural design as well as larger connecting rods. North American 4A-GE is also now rated at.
  • *Intake camshaft valve cover now has the "16 Valve" portion in red instead of blue
  • *EGR port repositioned on exhaust manifold to prevent cracking
  • *Revised manual transmission internals.
  • *Air filter rerouted to the trunk and continues around the trunk towards the air vent on the opposite side of the engine bay.
  • Chassis changes:
  • *Slight unibody changes
  • *Radiator tilted back at an angle to force air down towards the bottom of the car
  • *Revised rear suspension
  • *Larger front and rear brake rotors
  • *New tail lights
  • *New front lip and front bumper
  • *Radio antenna moved to rear right quarter panel for t-top/sunroof models
  • *T-bar roof available in North America and Europe
  • Interior changes:
  • *LHD models now have parking brake on the right side
  • *New center console, center armrest
  • *Glovebox lock
  • *Double-DIN radio, rear speakers added to the upper C pillar
  • *Door panels, three-spoke steering wheel, gauge cluster markings
  • *Seat changed to single-color velour and perforations added for leather seats
;1987
  • Supercharged model available in North America
  • Color-coded side mirrors and new engine lid for supercharged models
  • Full-length side skirts now standard on all models
  • Heater water pipes changed from zinc-plated steel to brass
;1988
  • T-bar glass panels changed from smoked to mirrored
  • Color-code door handle and side mirrors for all models
  • Incandescent third brake lamp replaced by LED strip integrated into the rear spoiler
  • More aerodynamic wing mirrors introduced, with optional power retract mechanism
  • North American supercharged models equipped with rear anti-roll bar
The changes in MY 1986 and MY 1987 occurred in parts. Instead of a drastic change in MY 1987 models for the above MK1b upgrades, some MK1a parts continued on in early MY 1987 cars while some MK1b parts came on MY 1986 cars as options. An example is that some MY 1987 cars still retained the old "flat" front bumper despite having MK1b upgrades everywhere else on the car. Some early MY 1987 7-rib engines came with the earlier blue top valve cover. This was also noticed in the rear sway bar removal for the MY 1986. Some MY 1986 cars have a rear sway bar, while the mounting tabs on the strut housing were either there for both sides, only one side, or none at all depending on when Toyota ran out of the older rear struts with mounting tabs as production used up parts.

Reception

American car magazines Road & Track and Car and Driver both chose the MR2 on their "ten best" car lists. The Australian Wheels magazine chose the 1988 MR2 as its favourite sports car. The MR2 was Motor Trends Import Car of the Year for 1985. The MR2 was also on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1986 and 1987. In 2004, Sports Car International ranked the MR2 number eight on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s.
In 1988 and 1989 Toyota produced two final production runs of fully optioned "Super Edition" MR2s, based upon the supercharged Japanese market model, and only sold in Japan. The 1988 'Super Edition' was a run of 300 units, had white/gold two-tone paint, bronze glass, unique half-leather and half-cloth seats, along with a MOMO-commissioned steering wheel and gear knob. The 1989 model, a run of 270 units, featured a special Midnight Blue paint, the MOMO-commissioned steering wheel and gear knob, Recaro "Milano" seats with matching door panels. The 1989 model also benefited from some of the last G-Limited model options, such as the LED rear spoiler brake light and more aerodynamic wing mirrors. Both "Super Edition" models had unique decals on the rear visor and side stripes.