Why you’d want a Toyota MR2 Mk1
Toyota took a lesson from the Fiat X1/9, scaling the concept up just enough to capture the former MGB market sector with a beautifully balanced, mid-engined coupé powered by an oversquare, twin-cam, four-cylinder engine.
The Yamaha-designed, 16-valve heads for the 123kg 4A-GE engine were brand-new in 1983, and Toyota’s Variable Induction System (T-VIS) used fewer ports at low revs to speed gas flow and aid flexibility of the high-revving unit.
This was Japan’s first mid-engined, mass-production car, and it boosted worldwide sales of the layout far beyond the X1/9.
Toyota part-owned Lotus, but insisted the MR2 was wholly in-house engineered (although Roger Becker of Lotus was later widely credited with input, along with racer Dan Gurney).
The 44% front, 56% rear weight distribution gave superb traction and great balance, with only a slight susceptibility to crosswinds.
The Toyota was a brilliant cross-country car and a capable cruiser, but care was needed on wet roads.
The MR2 was perfectly proportioned for two, with an ensconcing cabin. The sunroof lifted out and could be stored in the front boot (later T-bar sections would fit behind the seats), and there was a decent rear boot for luggage.
In the UK, only the normally aspirated 1587cc with a five-speed manual ’box was sold, but in Japan the same engine was offered with a four-speed auto. Also for the home market was a single-overhead-cam, 1452cc economy model and, from mid-’85, a supercharged 1.6.
