Performance Review: Toyota MR2 1.8 VVTi - [2000]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota MR2 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota MR2 1.8 VVTi is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2000. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the 2000 Ultima GTR 720.This particular Toyota MR2 has a 1794cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The MR2 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the MR2's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1030 kgs (2270 lbs) this makes the Toyota MR2 1.8 VVTi in the same weight category as the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup or the give or take 50kg.

The Toyota MR2 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1794cc 16V St4 engine produces 138 bhp (102 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 125 lb-ft (169.4 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (148 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Toyota MR2 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (158.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota MR2.

The Toyota MR2 has a Power to weight ratio of 133.9 bhp per ton and 121.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2000 MR2 competing with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (158.8 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (158.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Toyota MR2 generating around 121.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1953 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 (146.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Honda NSX 3.0 V6 Auto (146.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.0 secs, this made the Toyota MR2 1.8 VVTi as fast as the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs) the or the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs). This Toyota MR2 1.8 VVTi is also faster than the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the and the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MR2 and the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1

When talking about the performance of the Toyota MR2 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.08 secs @ 85.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 (16.02 secs), the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (16.02 secs), and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (16.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2000 version of the Toyota MR2 1.8 VVTi has a maximum speed of 131mph.

Top Speed of the 2000 MR2 equals the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2000 Toyota MR2 1.8 VVTi then how about the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph), the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (142 mph), or the 2013 Lexus IS 350 (142 mph).

Related Links:

2000 MR2 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison