Performance Review: Toyota MR2 Mk1 - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota MR2 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota MR2 Mk1 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular Toyota MR2 has a 1587cc 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 925 kgs (2039 lbs) this makes the Toyota MR2 Mk1 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged 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 1587cc 16V St4 engine produces 122 bhp (90 kW) @ 6600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 104 lb-ft (141.0 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 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 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (156.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota MR2.

The Toyota MR2 has a Power to weight ratio of 131.8 bhp per ton and 112.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 MR2 competing with the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (156.8 bhp per ton) or the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (156.8 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 112.4 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 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (137.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (137.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Toyota MR2 Mk1 as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Toyota MR2 Mk1 is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MR2 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed

When talking about the performance of the Toyota MR2 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.21 secs @ 84.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed (16.14 secs), the 2008 Audi TT Roadster 2.0T FSI 200 (16.15 secs), and the 1992 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo (16.16 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the Toyota MR2 Mk1 has a maximum speed of 119mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 MR2 equals the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 Toyota MR2 Mk1 then how about the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph), the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (130 mph), or the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (130 mph).

Related Links:

1985 MR2 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison