Performance Review: Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota MR2 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Toyota MR2 has a 1998cc 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 1250 kgs (2755 lbs) this makes the Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Toyota MR2 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 220 bhp (164 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 203 lb-ft (275.2 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 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 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8 (201.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota MR2.

The Toyota MR2 has a Power to weight ratio of 176.0 bhp per ton and 162.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 MR2 competing with the 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8 (201.0 bhp per ton) or the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V1 - Classic JDM (200.8 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 162.4 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 2015 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 Turbo (187.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Lotus Exige 240 R (187.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.4 secs, this made the Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 as fast as the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the or the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs). This Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 is also faster than the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the and the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MR2 and the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12

When talking about the performance of the Toyota MR2 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.63 secs @ 93.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12 (14.56 secs), the 1997 Audi A4 S4 2.7T Quattro (14.56 secs), and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta 235 Cloverleaf (14.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 MR2 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1990 MR2 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison