Performance Review: Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota MR2 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.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 1260 kgs (2777 lbs) this makes the Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo 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 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 224 lb-ft (303.7 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 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 1998 Jaguar XK R Coupe 4.0 V8 Supercharged (215.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota MR2.

The Toyota MR2 has a Power to weight ratio of 190.4 bhp per ton and 177.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 MR2 competing with the 1998 Jaguar XK R Coupe 4.0 V8 Supercharged (215.4 bhp per ton) or the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 (215.2 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 177.7 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 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T (202.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi (202.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs). This Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MR2 and the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Toyota MR2 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.24 secs @ 96.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (14.18 secs), the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG (14.20 secs), and the 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo UK - Classic (14.20 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 has a maximum speed of 152mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 MR2 equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph), the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (163 mph), or the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 (163 mph).

Related Links:

1993 MR2 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison