Picasso on Wheels

A mid-mount engine, sexy side scoops and a low body profile unspoilt by subtle spoilers. We could easily be talking about some mega-buck Ferrari but this is a description that also suits the SW20 Toyota MR-2. As attractive as the stock MR-2 may be, however, there's always a way of improving on the factory's efforts - it's easy if you have as much modification experience as Dominic of Sydney's AutoStyle Performance Cars.

Domenic imports plenty of hot stuff outa Japan and this particular MR-2 Turbo was too good to refuse when it popped up for sale - not that it looked much like this, though. "When be brought the car in it was painted red with a set of gold BBS wheels on it. It already looked pretty classy," he says.

These days, though, the first thing that grabs you when your eyes are cast in this MR's direction is the sensational paint job. What colour is that, you ask? Well, it's an early/mid Porsche colour that was applied to the handful of 911 RSs that came into this country. With plenty of coats applied over the MR2's intricate panels it's hard to imagine a colour that could look any better.

The body, interestingly enough, is completely standard - there are no added wings, just the great paint job providing 'the look'. You might also notice the reflective tint on the rear quarter windows.

The body is, of course, lowered closer to the bitumen by several inches. The Tein adjustable coil-overs (as fitted in Japan) are to be thanked for that, while the wheel arches are amply filled by a set of new 18-inch polished rims. The guards have escaped flaring or lipping with the fitment of 225/40 rubber. Go any wider and we can only guess you'll run into clearance issues.

Judging by some AutoStlye cars we've covered previously, Dominic has a soft spot for yellow leather interior trim - and the MR2 hasn't escaped. Easily visible from the outside, the standard seats, door trims, sections of the dashboard and the newly fitted Momo wheel and gearknob are covered in quality leather by AutoStyle's in-house trimmer. All of the coverings have been beautifully stitched.

Aside from the leatherwork, the cosy MR-2 2-seater interior has been completed with a Blitz boost gauge mounted on the steering column, a set of Momo aluminium pedals and a full-house alarm. The as-arrived Adzest audio head unit still resides in the dash - for now. Power windows and mirrors, central locking and analog climate control are all part of the Japanese MR-2 Turbo kit. Shame we never officially got it - the stripped out Bathurst NA model was as close as Australia received.

The MR-2 The first MR-2 model to appear in Australia was the AW11 of 1987. Using a mid-mount version of the 4A-GE DOHC 1.6-litre (good for 88kW) the 1050kg AW11 was a great ball of fun, even if its styling and packaging weren't to everyone's tastes. Mid 9s 0 - 100 km/h and high 16-second quarter mile performance were on tap, but twisty roads were where the MR-2 shined - even if it needed a careful hand, especially in the wet. Australia never got the supercharged 4A-GZE version that was introduced in Japan. The second generation MR2 - the SW20 - arrived in 1990. Larger overall and much more pleasing to the eye, the SW20 was delivered to Australia only with the 3S-GE DOHC 2.0-litre making 117kW (versus 153kW for the Japanese spec MR-2 Turbo). Still, with 1170kg to propel, the SW20 was considerably faster in a straight-line and was more forgiving - but still very action packed - to drive. A Bathurst version of the SW20 (celebrating the car's success in GT-P racing at Mount Panorama) was later released with fewer trimmings and, apparently, slightly more power. Curiously, though, motoring magazines saw no increase in straight-line performance. The new generation MR-2 - the ZZW30 - arrived in Australia during 2000. Weighting just 975kg, the MR-2 Spyder (convertible) uses a variable cam timed 1ZZ-FE 1.8-litre DOHC motor pumping out 103kW. This, of course, gives the ultra lightweight MR-2 strong acceleration (high 8-second 0 - 100 km/h) to go with its cutting-edge looks and traditional MR-2 mid-engine, rear-drive handling characteristics. See "New Car Test - Toyota MR2 Spyder" for our road test.

We can tell you this car is a pleasure to drive with just enough ground clearance to negotiate steep driveways, plenty of comfort, a great short-shift and more than the usual amount of squirt.

Factory rated at 153kW, the 3S-GTE (which runs a vane type airflow meter, a ceramic dual entry turbo and an air-to-air intercooler) provides the MR-2 with a sensational power-to-weight ratio. And there's plenty of traction to make the most of it. This particular example, however, breathes easily thanks to a high-flow aftermarket exhaust and a HKS pod filter inside the rear passenger side guard. Dominic has also fitted a TurboSmart bleed type boost controller to deliver a couple more psi than stock. The big air rush can be heard belting out of a Blitz blow-off valve every time you make a snappy gear change. You know the sound, so we won't try to write it...

A Japan-fitted twin-plate clutch (which is surprisingly drivable) ensures drive gets to the back wheels with minimal loss along the way. The rear-end, meanwhile, is kept tight with an aftermarket tower brace augmenting the factory engine bay bracing, while the brakes are nice and bitey thanks to a set of quality pads.

With the glass roof panels ripped off and stowed in the boot, we can vouch that this MR-2 is a treat to drive - responsive, comfortable and definitely head turning. Put your foot down on that long, skinny pedal and it pulls away from a set of lights with enough acceleration to make the traffic that was alongside you just a distant speck in the mirrors. If this sounds like your kinda machine (and, let's face it, why not?) you'll be pleased to hear that the car is currently for sale at AutoStyle for AUD$26,900. Call Dominic on the number listed below if you're interested.

If you like to be seen in something trick - and definitely more unique than an imported Silvia or Skyline - your search has ended!

Contact:

AutoStyle Performance Cars
0414 444 930

www.autostyle.com.au

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