The Beginning

The Prototypes

Mk1 MR2 - AW10, AW11 1984 - 1989

Slight changes to the car, and name, were made and in May 1984 the first MR2 rolled off the production line. Rumoured to be the MX100, an abandoned Lotus project, the unique little car immediately impressed the motoring critics of the day. Toyota's mid-engined affordable sports car was only seriously rivalled by the X1/9, though Japanese reliability was surely an advantage.

The mid-engined rear wheel drive configuration is relatively rare in road cars. The configuration appears in exotic sportscars like Ferrari and Lambourghini. From an engineering point of view the mid-engine layout makes sense and helps to produce a car that handles brilliantly. The cost of this layout is felt in terms of lack of luggage space, but as long as you pack in soft bags and don't take the kitchen sink, the MR2 has plenty of room.

Very few of the cars were manufactured with the original powerplant, a single carbeurettor 1500cc engine (that MR2 is known as an AW10), before the fuel injected 1600cc twin cam 4AGE engine became standard (that MR2 is known as the AW11). The MR2 earned a lot of praise but the most common complaint was a lack of power. In order to resolve this problem, Toyota chose to force-feed their reliable and proven 1600 in 1986. The 4AGE engine was fitted with a roots-type supercharger which upped the power from 112hp to 145hp and was called the 4AGZE. Along with the engine upgrades came some rear suspension changes, and bigger brakes all around. Targa tops became optional and popular, although there are a few removable sunroof models around (mostly NZ new).

Summary (of Japanese models only)

1984

MR2 Released.

Commonly referred to as the pre-facelift model.

Usually had black bumpers, spoiler and wing mirrors.

AW11 and AW10 models produced.

Release in New Zealand with slightly different rear tail lights and most had sunroofs.

1985

Reported first year of the supercharged model - but this is not confirmed.

Reported first year of the targa top model - but this is not confirmed

1986

Supercharged model definately arrived by now.

Targa top option definately available.

Rear suspension, brakes, rear lights, front bumper and chin, and interior revised.

1987-1988

No more changes that author is aware of.

1989

Rear spoiler with LED high stop light.

Revised rear wing mirrors.

The New Zealand new models all seemed to have the same specifications. Sunroof, manual windows, no air cond, and a different panel between the rear tail lights. They also all had 240 kph speedos and no annoying 'ding ding' when you reach 105ish kph! (the Japanese models have this as part of the regulations in Japan).

Mk2 MR2 - SW20 1989-2000

Toyota modernised the MR2 with a completely new model released in 1989. The new frame, designated the SW20, was longer and wider than the AW11 and lacked the distinctive angular styling. A softer more curvaceous style was employed to cover the larger, more luxurious car. Twin side air intakes, longer lower buttresses and a curved rear window all suggest an influence from the Pinninfarina styling of european marques, though comfort levels, ergonomics, reliability and price remained distinctly Japanese. The cars were available with cloth, leather or Recaro/Momo interiors, and the targa roof option was available. Luggage space was no bigger than the AW11 though arranged slightly differently with a larger rear boot, but interior cabin volume was larger in the new model.

The 4AGE/4AGZE engine used in the MKI MR2 was replaced by the 165 hp normally aspirated 2 litre 3SGE powerplant. This engine was released in Japan and into many export car markets (NZ being one) and uprated in 1993 to 185 hp, although the USA saw the normally aspirated 130 hp 2.2 litre 5SFE powerplant. Forced induction became available in the form of the turbo-charged 2 litre 3SGTE engine which carried a factory rating of 225 hp (200 hp in the USA). This engine was uprated in 1993 to 245 hp. Turbo-charged cars were only available with a manual transmission, though normally aspirated cars were available as manual or automatic.

The MKII, unlike the MKI which had only one, had many facelifts. In 1992 the suspension was upgraded and the red colour paint changed to avoid the "white spot" problems observed in this colour. A lower front air dam and 15" wheels were introduced. In October 1993 all new engines were used (as mentioned above) and new suspension, traction control, brakes, rear tail lights and spoiler were the obvious changes, along with numberous minor upgrades. In 1995 further changes were made, although they're not obvious, and it's suspected they were minor cosmetic changes. At the beginning of 1998 the reportedly 'final' and fifth facelift MKII MR2 was released. The only changes noted were a 3 position adjustable larger and more 'race-car-like' rear wing. The engine is still listed at being the same as released in the October 1993 upgrade.

A special model of the SW20 was released for the Australian market to celebrate the MR2's achievements in motorsport in that country. The MR2 Bathurst was released as a lighter, cheaper car facelifted with the 129 KW (173 hp) 3SGE, increased high range torque, revised valve timing and exhaust system, increased compression ratio and carried the name of the great Aussie race track. These cars were campaigned in the 12 hour race at Mt Panorama, Bathurst and completed the entire race without changing brake pads ..... the only cars to do so! Like all MR2s sold new in Australia and New Zealand, the Bathurst model was only available in normally aspirated form.

Mk 3 Mr2 Spyder Prototypes

Since the announcement in 1995 that the MKII MR2 was to cease production, prototypes for the new MR2 have been poping up at regular intervals at various Motorshows. The first of these was the MRJ. The MRJ appeared at several motorshows around the world, and while no official word was given by Toyota, many assumed it was the replacement for the MR2. It featured a VVT engine, electric hardtop, four-wheel steer, superstrut suspension, and many other new technology features.

    
For more pictures of the MRJ, click here.

The MRX was the next car on the motoring scene, having been unveiled at the Japan Motor Show in 1997 and predicted by many motoring magazines as the replacement for the MR2 ... with no news of the future of the MRJ. The MRX is a lightweight car with many of the fancy features of the MRJ having being removed.

The MRX/MRS slowly underwent a few changes over the years, with slight modifications to bonnets, lights, side intakes, etc.

Mk 3 Mr2 Spyder - ZZW30 1999-Now

In 1999 the new MR2 was finally released in Japan. Throughout the world it will have different names: in Japan it's the MR-S; in the UK it's the MR2; in the USA it's the MR2 Spyder. Below are pictures of an MR-S that has been imported from Japan by a local car yard. 

Toyota New Zealand released the MR-S at the end of 2000/beginning of 2001, and was be priced to compete with the Mazda MX5 (roughly $40K). The model chosen for NZ was the 5 speed Semi-Automatic Sequential transmission. This uses an automatic clutch that takes the load off the drivers left leg, but all gears are still selected manually from either the gearstick or buttons on the steering wheel.

In 2003 the model was upgraded to a 6 speed transmision and given some minor changes to the front grill.

Specifications

Review

Last Updated: 29 March 2003
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