New MR2 Roadster

This is an archived press release.

For the complete story of the MR2, please visit our MR2 Archive.

Key Points

• The new MR2 Roadster is light weight (975kg) for maximum agility
• 1.8 VVT-i, 16v four cylinder engine produces 140PS@6,400rpm and 125lbft (170Nm) @ 4,400rpm
• 0-62mph in 7.9 sec, top speed 130mph
• Class leading power to weight ratio of 146hp per ton (6.96kg/PS)
• Costs just £18,495 on-the-road
• Optional hard top, air conditioning and leather covered seats
• MR2 stands for Midship Runabout 2-seater
• Independent MacPherson strut suspension and front and rear anti-roll bars
• 10in front and 10.4in rear ventilated disc brakes
• Limited slip differential as standard
• Front-to-rear weight bias of 42:58
• Cd 0.35
• Strong A-pillars ensure rigidity equal to saloons
• Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering for precise control and reduced power drain on engine
• Four easy to understand Drive Plans offering tailored finance options – from £219 per month
• 20,000mile/24 month service intervals with 10,000mile/12 month ‘health check’
• Low cost parts and servicing (e.g. MGF 94% more for service parts)
• The fully retractable soft-top with glass rear window
• 13E insurance group targeted
• On sale from 5 April

100% SPORTS CAR

The new Toyota MR2 Roadster is an affordable mid-engined, rear wheel drive roadster designed to excite true sports car enthusiasts. Fun to drive, the two-seater soft-top combines traditional sports car characteristics with modern engineering for reliability and safety. The light weight of the new MR2 Roadster is the key to its sparkling performance, low fuel consumption, agile handling and stable road holding.

Engineers achieved a low weight of 975kg against a target of 1000kg. As a result, new MR2 Roadster has the best power-to-weight ratio in its class at 146hp/ton and is one of the most nimble vehicles on the road. Quick and accurate response to driver commands is the name of the game for the new MR2 Roadster.

CLASSIC SPORTS CAR – MODERN ENGINEERING

The MR2 Roadster is a sports car with striking looks. The basic characteristics are its long wheelbase and short overhangs. The interior is sporty yet comfortable with bucket seats, leather trimmed three-spoke steering wheel and aluminium pedals to create the ideal sports car driving environment. A detachable hard top, creating a striking coupe look, is available as an option.

As with all Toyota vehicles, safety has been a critical consideration in the design of the new Toyota MR2 Roadster, which has a strong, stiff body. Driver and passenger airbags are standard equipment and seat belts are pre-tensioned with force limiters to reduce the risk of chest injury in the event of an accident. ABS is standard.

INTELLIGENT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

A sophisticated 1.8-litre, VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing – intelligent) engine developing 140PS at 6,400rpm and maximum torque of 125 lbft (170Nm) at 4,400rpm powers the new Toyota MR2 Roadster. The car will hit 62mph from rest in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed, where allowed, of 130mph.

* 0-62mph time for MR2 Roadster

The VVT-i engine delivers power and torque throughout the rev range making the new MR2 Roadster easy and relaxing to drive. The precise five-speed manual gearbox has a slick, positive action to allow the driver to make the most of this exciting car’s performance.

The suspension offers a firm, but comfortable ride that keeps the car stable and true. Stylish, 15-inch alloy wheels are standard equipment with 185/55 R15 tyres at the front and 205/50 R15 at the rear. A limited slip differential for improved traction and sporting handling is also standard.

UK SPECIFICATION & PRICES

The new MR2 Roadster will be available in just one derivative that has a very high level of standard equipment. It will cost £18,495 on-the-road making the new MR2 Roadster great value for money as well as a great drive.

Power steering, power windows, remote control central locking and Sony radio/cassette/CD with 4-speaker audio are offered as standard equipment. An engine immobiliser, Thatcham category 1 alarm and double locking will help make the desirable MR2 Roadster secure. Leather-covered steering wheel, 15″ alloy wheels and sports-style seats add to the sporty “feel” interior.

Optional equipment available on the MR2 Roadster includes air conditioning at £900, leather upholstery at £500 and a colour coded hard top at £1,500.

SPECIFICATION ADJUSTED PRICE COMPARISONS (see following table)

The MR2 Roadster represents an extremely high value specification and pricing proposition versus its main competitors.

Only the very stripped out, basic MX-5 undercuts the new MR2 Roadster, but to do so you have to sacrifice items such as 15″ wheels, CD player and even fog lights. Against the similarly powered MGF VVC, MR2 Roadster starts with a £2,500 advantage before you add a further £250 for the passenger air bag not to mention the heated, glass rear window and fog lights, that also come as standard on the MR2.

Details of the Vauxhall VX are not yet known, but it will have to undercut the Lotus Elise on which it is based by a considerable margin to lessen the almost £5,000 price gap between the MR2 Roadster and the Elise.

COMPETITOR SPECIFICATION ADJUSTED PRICE COMPARISONS

LOW COST OF OWNERSHIP

As with other new engines recently introduced by Toyota, the MR2 Roadster benefits from reduced servicing time thereby reducing the cost of ownership. The service schedule includes a full service every 20,000 miles or 2 years with intermediate oil and filter “health check” inspections every 10,000 miles or 12 months.

Over a three-year/60,000 mile period this will bring maintenance costs, including tyres and brake pads, of just £1,608.44 (and that’s allowing for 5 per cent per annum inflation). That compares to £1,880 for the MX-5 and £2,425 for the MG. These comparatively low maintenance costs are achieved partly by the longer service intervals, but also Toyota’s policy of offering good value, genuine parts. Parts for a typical service for MR2 Roadster are almost half the price of MGF and only two thirds of Mazda MX-5.

Crash repairs are likewise cheaper for the new MR2 Roadster. The parts required to repair a common front impact are 47 per cent less expensive than both MGF and MX-5. It is a similar story for rear impact damage with the MGF parts costing 49 per cent more, the Mazda’s 24 per cent. These higher costs will also be reflected in higher insurance ratings and premiums, in part explaining the 13E rating for the MR2 Roadster, three grades lower than the old car.

Like all new Toyotas, a pan-European three-year, 60,000 mile warranty, six-year paint warranty and a 12-year, anti-perforation bodywork warranty will back the new MR2 Roadster. Full after sales support is available through Toyota’s extensive and highly trained dealer network.

Toyota GB expects to deliver 2,700 new MR2 Roadsters in 2000 with a running rate in a full year of 3,500, significantly higher than the previous model has achieved for a decade.

TOYOTA MR2 ROADSTER – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENDS