- 1,115
- Rivera
- Tsukishima-TDUDT
The second-generation MR2, which arrived in 1989, represented the all-new version of the AW11, Japan's first mass produced mid-engine sports car. Toyota wanted to broaden the appeal of its two-seater to the general public, so it made the car larger. To compensate for the added mass Toyota increased the power. The 4A-G, a 1.6-liter inlinr-4, was swapped in favor of the 3S-G, a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-4, which produced 162 HP in naturally aspirated form and 221 HP when turbocharged. Unfortunately, with the new engines the handling characteristics of the AW11 worsened, as the exhibited a tendency to oversteer. As a result, in December 1991, the chassis was completely revised in the updated SW20 II model.
Things dramatically improved, even more so in 1994 with version III that featured more power via a stronger turbocharger, 241 HP and 224.2 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated model also saw an increase in performance going to 177 HP and 141.0 lb-ft of torque. In June 1996, the IV added a helical LSD, as well as standard fare ABS. In December 1997, the V introduced the VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligence) to the naturally aspirated engine that was now pumping out 197 HP and 151.8 ft-lb of torque. With all these improvements, the SW20 became one of the most popular sports cars of its days, outshining the AW11, the model that started it all.
Specs:
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