A snappy midship runabout - Up close with one of Malaysia's cleanest SW20 Toyota MR2
CY Foong · Oct 20, 2023 04:30 PM
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Midship Runabout 2-seater. That is what the MR2 name stands for but aside from being called the âpoor manâsâ Ferrari, Toyotaâs legendary mid-engine sports car is infamous for having a tendency to spin out easily at high-speed corners.
As good-looking as the Testarossa the background poster
Aside from the whole snap oversteer reputation, the second-generation MR2, also known by its codename, SW20 is also seen by some automotive scribes and fans as an inferior successor to the first-generation AW11. As such, it might seem like the second-gen MR2 is a flawed car which makes it worth a retrospect.
Regardless of the criticisms surrounding the SW20, I still think itâs a fine sports car and looking at this clean green example, you might also start to change your outlook on the second generation.
A wild thought
Some of Japan's earliest sports cars (Clockwise from top): Honda S500, Prince Skyline Sport, Datsun Fairlady
It is widely believed that Honda produced Japanâs first sports car when the S500 was launched in 1963. However, even before the little convertible kickstarted Hondaâs entry into the automotive industry, other companies have been building sports cars for quite some time like the Datsun Fairlady and the Prince Skyline Sport.
Around the same time Honda introduced its first car, Toyota also launched its first sports car, the Sports 800. Like the S500, it was a small sports car so the thought of a Japanese sports car was seen as a novelty especially in the West.
It wasnât until the Toyota 2000GT was introduced that the Japanese sports car would be taken seriously. The grand tourer was considered Japanâs first supercar and the beauty was introduced to Western audiences via a James Bond film, You Only Live Twice.
The concept of an inexpensive mid-engine sports car wasn't new even in the 1970s as the Fiat X1/9's layout above shows
Following the 2000GT, Toyota was toying with the idea of introducing a mid-engine sports car that was fun to drive yet decently fuel efficient. The project internally called the âmiddleâ project commenced in 1976 but due to the oil crisis, it was delayed for 4 years.
1981 Toyota SA-X prototype shown
Toyota already had a sports car at the time, the Celica, but it was also looking to launch some exciting new models in overseas markets in a bid to boost its image. The first prototype, the SA-X was shown internally and it looked unlike anything else Toyota ever made at the time.
The wedge shape was reworked to eventually become the SV-3 concept that made its public debut at the 1983 Tokyo Motor Show. It received plenty of attention and praise from everyone which saw Toyota eventually launching the production MR2 a year later in 1984.
The MR2 along with the similarly styled and mid-engine Pontiac Fiero became known as the âcheap Ferrariâ alternatives. However, the Toyota runabout began to be more than just a simple tag, it handled as well as the more expensive Italian horse at a fraction of the price. It was a near-perfect sports car â one that anyone can get their hands on that doesnât sacrifice looks or nimbleness.
Maturing runabout
If the original MR2 was meant to revitalise Toyotaâs image, it certainly succeeded which meant that its successor had a massive shoe or should I say, wheel to fill. However, the late eighties saw a different trajectory being given to the development team.
While the whole fun-to-drive and mid-engine layout was to be retained, the team was briefed to make the second-gen MR2 more stylish and also be more ergonomic inside. It was decided that the affordable Ferrari alternative should become more upmarket. Like a Ferrari.
Launched in 1989, the SW20 MR2 was a curvaceous beauty while retaining the iconic pop-up headlights. Led by Chief Designer Kunihiro Uchida, the man behind the Lexus LS400, its design is a perfect meld of design elements from the 1980s and the 1990s.
The engine in the middle increased from 1.5- and 1.6-litre naturally aspirated (NA) or supercharged units to 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre NA or turbocharged units.
While 4-cylinder engines were offered, there were rumours that a 3.0-litre V6 engine would be used on a Lexus-badged MR2 though this turned out false. It is interesting that such a concept was considered for Toyotaâs mid-engine sports car which would not only be competing with Ferraris but also the Honda NSX.
Upon its launch, the SW20 received a lot of praise from journalists who complimented the styling, power, and handling. On the latter, Tiff Needell noted in a Top Gear review that while it âencourages you to drive with enthusiasm, the sudden transition from understeer to oversteer may be startling for some peopleâ.
Snapping overtures
Snap oversteer is a phenomenon that is commonly faced by inexperienced drivers when handling a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD). Itâs also infamously the reason why some people unfairly called the second-generation MR2 a âdangerousâ car.
It often happens when the driver enters a corner at high speeds and lifts off the accelerator in the middle of the turn, causing the rear end to suddenly step out. As a result, it oversteers causes the car to spin out and crash.
Because of the MR2's relatively affordable price (not in Malaysia), it marked a gateway for many who aspire to own their first sports car that didnât wear a Porsche or Ferrari badge. Naturally, a lot of these drivers who think they have good driving skills behind the wheel of their front-engine cars would be literally thrown into surprise and crash their MR2.
Hence, Toyota decided to rectify the issue by revising the suspension set-up to make it softer and easier for beginners to handle in 1992. This further hampered the SW20âs reputation among enthusiasts and those who are more experienced drivers.
The MR2 would enter one final generation in 1999 as a 2-door convertible with a different name, the MR-S. The Midship Runabout Sports also received praise for its handling but was criticized over the lack of power from the NA 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FED (140 PS/171 Nm). After the last MR-S rolled off the line in July 2007, Toyota never made a mid-engine sports car again.
An emerald view
Finished in Aquamarine Pearl, this SW20 MR2 kind of caught us by surprise. Initially, we were supposed to only cover the DC5 Honda Integra Type R which was put up for sale by Karrus Private Garage but seeing this clean SW20 up close, we just had to feature it.
Mind you, this SW20 is not for sale but how often do you see one this clean in Malaysia? Based on the badge, this is a G-Limited variant which came with an NA 2.0-litre 3S-GE 4-cylinder unit which makes 165 PS.
In Japan, this variant would be the highest NA variant with an automatic transmission as standard. In fact, for the NA variants, the 4-speed slushbox is the standard transmission though for the benefit of those MT saviours, this SW20 requires the driver to row the gears on their own.
Based on the odometer reading, this SW20 has under 90,000 km of mileage which is very low for a 30-year-old car. You can tell that it is quite preserved with the original seats, wheels, as well as the factory stickers and labels still intact.
Besides the pop-up lights that still operate smoothly, another feature retained from its predecessor is the glass T-bar roof which can be removed though it was never demonstrated when we shot the car.
Though it has elements that combine 1980s and 1990s aesthetics, the SW20 is also a nifty daily sports car. Aside from the handbrake angle that might seem out of place to a layperson but is purely designed for vigorous driving, the SW20 MR2 is as familiar to be in as any other Toyota from that era.
Perhaps that is the real reason why the SW20 was so divisive. It was meant to be a more mature sports car compared to the AW11 and it shows but despite being a more grown-up successor, the SW20 still has the essence of the original MR2.
That reputation of snap oversteer is simply overstated and the second-generation MR2 is a brilliant successor all things considered.
Special thanks to Karrus Private Garage for allowing us to shoot the SW20. Check out their inventory here to see what amazing classics are currently on sale.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
