Toyota MR-Spyder
This page discusses the coming Toyota MR-Spyder motorcar.
visitors since 05 March 1999.
Last updated: 10 March 1999
This page discusses the coming Toyota MR-Spyder motorcar.
visitors since 05 March 1999.
Last updated: 10 March 1999
The production car will reportedly share several details with the earlier show car. The carbon-fiber side scoops are more pronounced, and they're functional, helping cool the transverse-mounted (crosswise) four-cylinder engine (the radiator is mounted behind the driver). The spyder has a hard tonneau cover with Porsche Speedster-type headrests.
Dimensionally, the MR-Spyder is similar to the Porsche Boxster, albeit being marginally smaller in length and width.
Inside, the grippy, supportive seats are charcoal-color fabric with red inserts. Aluminum trim is used extensively, including the face of the simple three-gauge instrument cluster and a pipelike inside door grab-handle reminiscent of the (mid 1960s) Toyota Sports 800, which Toyota has used as inspiration for the MR-Spyder. The neat aluminum gas cap is really just a lid that pops out on a hinge, revealing a plastic gas cap underneath.
Also aluminum are the gearshift knob, lever and face-plate. The MR-Spyder has a sequential-shift five-speed automatic that can also be shifted using buttons on the leather-covered steering wheel. Expect a five-speed manual to be the standard production tranny. The rubber-covered brake and accelerator pedals are tiny and far to the right -- to the left is a large dead pedal.
The rear hatch reveals the engine, with, in the production version, should be a brand-new 140 hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing. This base engine is shared with the new Celica, and it is possible that the optional option (180 hp) will also be available. This is comparable with the Mazda Miata, but a notch below higher-priced roadsters such as the Porsche Boxster (201 hp), BMW M3 Roadster and Honda S2000 (both 240 hp), and the coming Porsche Boxster-S (250 hp).
The table below compares the 2000 MR-Spyder with one of the original examples in this class, the timeless 1958 Porsche RSK 718 Spyder.
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| Vehicle | 2000 Toyota MR-Spyder | 1958 Porsche 718 Spyder |
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| Trim | 2-seat roadster | 2 seat Spyder |
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| Price Range | $18,000 - $24,000 | *** N/A *** |
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| Crash Test, Driver | Not Tested | Not Tested |
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| Crash Test, Passenger | Not Tested | Not Tested |
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| Airbags | Driver, Passenger | N/A |
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| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | ||
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| Type | inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve/cyl | Air-cooled flat four |
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| Displacement | 1.8 litre (1797 cc) | 1.5 litre (1498 cc) |
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| Valve Control | VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) | N/A |
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| Fuel System | multi-point EFI | twin Weber 461DM down-draft carburetors |
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| Horsepower | 140 hp @ 6000 rpm | 148 hp @ 8000 rpm |
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| Torque | 127 ft-lb | 108 ft-lb @ 6300 rpm |
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| Transmission | ||
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| Base | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual |
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| Optional | 5/6 speed sequential manual 4-speed automatic | N/A |
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| Chassis | ||
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| Type | mid engine/rear-drive | mid engine/rear-drive |
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| Suspension | ||
| front | MacPherson struts, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar | independent torsion-bar trailing arms |
| rear | MacPherson struts, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar | independent swing axle |
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| Brakes | ||
| front | ventilated disc | Hydraulic 280mm Aluminum drums with cast-iron inserts |
| rear | solid disc | Hydraulic 280mm Aluminum drums with cast-iron inserts |
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| Steering | power (electric hydraulic) rack-and-pinion | N/A |
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| Dimensions | ||
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| length (inches) | 151.6 | 141.7 |
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| width (inches) | 66.7 | N/A |
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| height (inches) | 48.0 | N/A |
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| wheelbase (inches) | 96.5 | 82.6 |
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| track F/R (inches) | 58.3 / 61.5 | 50.7 / 49.2 |
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| curb weight (lbs) | 2218-2230 | 1168 |
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| wheels (inches) | F: 15.0 x 6.0 R: 15.0 x 6.5 | F: 15.0 R: 15.0 |
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| tyres | F: P185/55R15 R: P205/50R15 | F: 550 x 15R R: 590 x 15R |
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| Other Items | ||
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| soft-top operation | manual | manual |
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| rear window | glass | plastic |
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| removable hardtop | available | N/A |
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| engine access | removable rear fenders | rear end swivels open |
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| Performance | ||
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| acceleration, 0-60 mph (sec) | est 7.9 secs | N/A |
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| 1/4 mile | est 16 sec @ 84 mph | N/A |
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| maximum speed | N/A | est 155 mph |
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© 1999, Manuel
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