Toyota MR2 Takes on the Competition

The MR2, with its mid-engined layout, showed that the Japanese were capable of exploiting modern technology. The MR2 developed considerably over the years covered by this book. When introduced in 1984 it had a 1.6-litre, 16-valve engine developing 122bhp. Engine options multiplied with the biggest being the 245bhp Turbo. Five years after its introduction the styling was modernised with sleek lines. The MR2 is compared to an astonishingly wide range of other sporting machines ranging from the Honda S800 to the Ford Escort RS Turbo by way of more obvious competitors like the Fiat X1/9, MX5, Lotus Elan SE and Pontiac Fiero. All of these are taken from contemporary magazines. 140 pages, 350 illus. SB.