The
Toyota MR2 went through a complete redesign in 1989, resulting
in the MR2 Mark II. The new MR2, designated SW20 (in America
the chassis codes were SW22 for the turbocharged
model and SW21 for the naturally-aspirated model), was longer,
wider and heavier than the MR2
Mk1 and had smoother more contemporary bodylines.
When the MR2 Mk2 went on sale in 1990, it was available with
four different engine choices depending on the market area.
All engines were 2.0 litre, DOHC, 16 valve, 4 cylinder engines,
excluding the naturally-aspirated US model which used a 2.2
litre engine. The most powerful engine was the turbocharged
3S-GTE, which was available in Japan with 220 hp (in 1994 this
was output was increased to 245 hp), and 200 hp in the US. The
turbocharged MR2 was sold as the MR2 GT in Japan and the MR2
Turbo in America.
Like the MR2 MKI, the MKII was offered with several choices
of roof type. The standard option was a hardtop coupe. But the
car could also be ordered with either a T-top roof or a moon
roof option.
Toyota's aim was to make the car's suspension geometry work
the same way that true supercars do. This made the MK2 MR2's
cornering abilities superb, but it was also far too easy for
an inexperienced driver to make a mistake, leading to sudden
oversteer which often resulted in a spin unless the driver reacted
both quickly and correctly.
To remedy this, Toyota changed the 1993 MR2 to include wider
rear tires and changed the rear suspension, mainly the vehicle's
height, shock absorbing properties and longer rear toe links,
so that the car would be more prone to understeer, thus making
it more difficult to push the car into oversteer. Along with
the suspension changes, the MR2 received new 15" wheels to fit
the larger brakes that were also introduced. Some shifting problems
which affected the first revisions (1990-1992) were remedied
with stronger dual synchronization rings.
Similar and related vehicles:
Toyota Supra Twin Turbo
Toyota MR2 MK1
Toyota MR2 MK3
Toyota Celica GT-Four
Toyota Celica T-Sport
Toyota Camry Solara SLE Coupe
|
