The History of the Toyota MR2

History

• The 1986 MR2.
  
  The MR2, which stands for mid-engine/rear-drive/two-seater, was produced from 1984 to 2007 when declining sales and stiff competition from Mitsubishi and Nissan diminished its market share in the United States. Some of its DNA is shared with Lotus, in which Toyota owned a stake, but beyond the early design and engineering stage it remained entirely a Toyota project.
  
  

Significance

• The 1992 model features softer lines and more conservative styling.
  
  At the time of its introduction, the MR2 was a rare mid-engine roadster offered at an affordable price.
  
  

Identification

• A 1998 model with rear spoiler.
  
  First-generation models feature a distinct angular body style with a flat rear deck.
  
  

Types

• Interior of the 1992 right-hand drive model.
  
  Only three generations of MR2s were produced, but a noteworthy body conversion kit was offered by Toyota Racing Development in 1998 that widened the body into a racing stance to honor the TRD2000GT race car.
  
  

Features

• The third-generation Spyder convertible.
  
  By 1987 the car came with a supercharger option to produce 145 horsepower.
  
  

Size

• The mid-engine four-cylinder engine from the 1989 MR2.
  
  The first-generation basic MR2 is 154.5 inches long with a 91.3-inch wheelbase and features a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine to generate 124 horsepower.