Friday, November 24, 2017

Toyota MR2 - Generation 3 (1999-07)

At its introduction in 1984, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award. The Toyota MR2 is a two-seat (2), mid-engined (M), rear-wheel-drive (R) sports car produced by Toyota, from 1984 until July 2007 when production stopped in Japan. In France the name was shortened to MR. There are three different generations of the MR2:

Generation 1 (W10): 1984–1989
Generation 2 (W20):  1989–1999
Generation 3: (W30): 1999–2007

The third-generation MR2 was marketed as the Toyota MR-S in 1999 to the Japanese market, In 2000, the car was introduced into the US as the Toyota MR2 Spyder, and the Toyota MR2 Roadster in Europe.

The newest MR2 took a different approach than its predecessor, most obviously becoming a convertible and receiving the 'Spyder' marketing nomenclature. The first prototype of MR-S appeared in 1997 at the Tokyo Motor Show. 

The only engine available was the all-aluminium 1ZZ-FED, a 1794 cc inline-four. The 138 hp (104 kW) maximum power was quite a drop from the previous generation, but thanks to the lightness of the car it could still move quite quickly, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 to 8.7 s depending on the transmission option. In addition to the 5-speed manual transmission, a 6-speed manual or 5-speed Sequential Manual Transmission (SMT) was also available starting in 2002. After 2003, a 6-speed SMT was an option. The MR2 Spyder featured a heated glass rear window. A hard top was also available from Toyota in Japan and Europe.

In July 2004, Toyota announced that sales of the MR2 would be discontinued in the US at the end of the 2005 model year because of increasing competition and lack of sales. While the MR2 Spyder was not sold after 2005 in the US, it was offered in Japan, Mexico, and Europe until 2007. Production of the car ceased permanently in July 2007. (wikipedia)

Toyota MR2 - Generation 3 (1999-07)












































































2007 Toyota MR-S Final "V-Edition" 



Toyota decided that one last limited edition version will be manufactured before production ceases, 1,000 "V-Edition" MR-S' were available only for the Japan market, The "V-Edition" came equipped with distinct wheels, leather seat and door trim, new aero bits and a helical limited slip differential, while the driver is greeted with a new three-spoke wheel, new instrument panel with metal highlights and a titanium color for the shift-gauge. (autoblog.com & topspeed.com)