Toyota MR2 AW11

The AW11 was the first model of the legendary Toyota MR2, a compact sports car that was unveiled as a concept car at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show and introduced as a production model in 1987. The AW11 was the first Toyota to feature a mid-engine layout and was instrumental in establishing Toyota's reputation in the sports car segment.

Development of the MR2 AW11 began in the late 1970s when Toyota set out to produce an affordable, sporty mid-engined sports car that would appeal to the increasingly popular compact sports car market. The idea for such a vehicle was born in response to the success of models such as the Fiat X1/9 and the Porsche 914, which were also in the small mid-engined sports car segment.

Development was led by Tatsuya Tada, an engineer at Toyota who was later involved in the development of the Toyota 86. Tada worked closely with a team of engineers and designers to create a vehicle that could offer both sporty performance and everyday compatibility. The design of the MR2 was developed under the direction of Ichiro Yoshioka, a leading designer at Toyota. The result was a compact, agile coupé with sharp lines and a striking, angular design.

The MR2 AW11 was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine based on the technology of the Toyota Corolla GT-S, which generated an output of around 116 hp (85 kW) at 6,600 rpm. The engine was mounted centrally, which gave the car exceptional handling and handling characteristics, as the center of gravity was close to the center of the vehicle. This also contributed to stability and agility, especially when cornering. The front suspension consisted of a McPherson strut suspension, while the rear axle was equipped with an independent double wishbone suspension.

The car was available with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The body was largely made of steel, which ensured good torsional rigidity. The AW11's equipment was good for the time, and the vehicle was equipped with features such as electric windows and central door locking.

The Toyota MR2 AW11 was first presented as a concept car in September 1984 and immediately attracted attention. The production version was launched in 1987 and sold in various markets, including Japan, Europe and North America. The car was initially known as the „Toyota MR2 1600“ in Japan, while the name „MR2“ was used in the USA and Europe. The car was an instant success as it offered good everyday usability despite its sporty character, making it an affordable alternative to more expensive sports cars.

You can find a video of the Japanese speedster at the bottom of this page.