Introduction to the ZZW30 MR2

The Least Popular Mr2

The third-generation MR2 has always been considered the black sheep of the three generations. Being neither as serious as the SW20 (second generation), nor as packed with cutting-edge nostalgia as the AW11 (first generation). Often also being levelled with criticisms like being slow, impractical and not as well sorted or supported as a Mazda MX5, Porsche Boxster or Lotus Elise.

We think this is quite unfair, as the ZZW30 MR2 is better thought of for its strengths.

A package that gives you a 2 seater mid-engine sports car with a manual LSD-equipped gearbox for the price of a 2000s Corolla hatchback - with every bit of the same reliability.

A brief History

1983 - 1989: The First MR2

Toyota were producing absolute gold (by Toyota nerd standards) throughout the late 80’s, with the MR2 releasing along with the Anime famous AE86 Corolla later being joined by the A70 Supra and T160 Celica, all legendary old timer cars in today’s media.

All these models would step aside for a new generation of Toyota products in the early 90’s, which arguably would leave an even larger impact on the world of car enthusiasts.

1990 - 1999: “the BUbble”

Throughout the runnout of the AW11 generation MR2, Toyota were busy designing the second generation SW20 MR2, and upon its release in 1990 - it was clear the nourishment the MR2 had been provided by the ecnomoic bubble Japan experienced during the latter half of the 80’s.

The SW20 MR2 was bigger, faster, more powerful and more complex that the outgoing model, upon it’s release to the UK market - it was touted as the working man’s Ferrari. Toyota went from strength to strength with the new platform, maintaining the transverse mid ship engine layout and macphearson suspension at each corner, but maturing the running gear to that of a slightly larger platform. Likewise, engine output increased too, with the move to the excellent 3SGE 1998cc 4 cylinder, equiped again with 16 valves.

The AW11 MR2 (First generation) came off the production line in 1984 and was sold in the UK up until 1989. The AW11 MR2 brought mid-engined sports cars within the grasp of the enthusiast market, an absolute landmark in automotive history during the Japanese automotive revolution. The famous wedge-like shape was born from fastidious wind tunnel testing, the SA-X Toyota concept and later the SV-3 concept became the shape synonymous with the MR2.

Under the spartan sports car exterior, the MR2 borrowed much of its running gear from a comparable Corolla, including Toyota’s A series engine. The mainstay engine variant used in the AW11 MR2 is the 4AGE, a 1587cc 4-cylinder with 16 valves. Suspension configuration was Macfearson front and rear, famously quoted as having evolutionary remnants of the steering links on the rear knuckle, removed from the Corolla-based geometry.

The SW20 MR2 is the poster child for the MR2 models, being luxurious, sleak and the most serious of the three. The interior space being a verlupous, fighter jet, wrap around the driver, sitting within a cutout placing the centre console at torso level. On the exterior the same major brush strokes are employed as the first generation, but the body is muscular, smoothed and flowing.

The SW20 Generation MR2 joined stable mates that would come to define car culture for years to come, such as the A80 Supra, T200 Celica, UCF10 and UCF20 LS400’s and its incredibly infamous couisn: The XV20 Camry. The reach and potential of the SW20 platform is almost limitless, with both V6 swaps, Factory Turbo imports and as a paltform, the headroom provided by the stout 3SGE engine, the SW20 was incredibly popular amongts enthusiasts.

Whatever they were putting in the UK water supply during the 90’s, had changed the landscape of the UK car market. Despite Toyota offering a smorgasboard of “Peak Toyota”, sales across the more interesting models declined. Models like the Camry, Paseo, Supra and the final revisions of the MR2 sold incredibly poorly. Sadly the Toyota Previa became the best selling mid-engined vehicle in the UK market, outselling the final years of the MR2 by over three times the sales.

2000 - 2008: Last of the Analogue Era

It wasn’t all over yet! Toyota had cooked up new models accross the board for the new millenium. Top picks for 2000 included the IS200, a small rear wheel drive saloon, similar in tone to the Corollas of the 80’s and the revised 7th generation ZZT23 Celica, reinvigerating sales by offering an entry sports car cheaper than the outgoing model.

Enter, the ZZW30; the third generation MR2 - a complete departure to the previous two generations from first glance. Toyota’s overall goal for the third generation was to provide an enjoyable driving experience first, with the catchphrase “New Generation Light Sport” being coined for the project. It’s clear to see inspiration taken from competitors in the sports car market of the time; the MX5, MGF and Porsche Boxster.

Toyota released the ZZW30 MR2 with just one set of options, a slightly tweaked 1ZZ-FED 1794cc 4 cylinder (with VVTi), connected to the ground through a manual 5 speed with a factory Limited slip differential. Despite the end result being so far removed from prior models on the surface, the recipie was identicle; a driver focused, mid-engined sports car with Corolla derived running gear.

What the ZZW30 third generation provided was exactly what an enthusiast might want on paper; mid-enginged handling, Corolla running costs, headroom for motorsports and reliability. The design being even further simplified than years prior, removal of the third bulkhead and relocation of the fueltank to behind the passenger compartment. The reduced weight came with higher fuel economy and longer lasting wear items such as brakes and tyres.

None of this was enough to survive the impending doom of the car market - with the rise of cross overs and half-comitted sports badged hatchbacks, the UK market had all but rejected the idea of saloon, couple and sports cars. The killing blow happened during the 2008 financial crisis, after which globally sales in dedicated sports cars decliend so far, most brands stopped producing them all together. Even the MX5 saw a drop in 2006 from 44,000 units to just 22,000 in 2009.

In almost a complete loss of culture, the rise of medicore mass produced, marketed boxes became the normal. With the UK government also encouraging manufacture to produce diesel vehicles and offering buyers heavy tax cuts (woops), gone were the generation of over-achieving, mould breaking vehicles of the 1990’s, replaced entirely with beam suspension sports hatch backs and 4 cylinder diesel junior executive saloons.

ZZW30 TECHNICAL

The only factory engine option offered in the ZZW30 MR2; was the naturally aspirated 1ZZ-FED. This differed from the more common 1ZZ-FE found in the RAV4, Corrolla or Avensis. The 1ZZ-FED prioritised performance over fuel economy, employing larger intake valves and a more agressive tune; including a more pronounced VVTI map. All 1ZZ-FED’s were built in Shimoyama Plant in Japan for world wide markets.

  • Displacement: 1794cc - 79mm Bore / 91.5mm Stroke, 10:1 compression ratio

  • Block: Aluminium head & block with cast iron cylinder liners, Steel main bearing caps

  • Internals: Open Deck, Split Forged Metal Pouder Rods, One Peice cast Cams, Aluminium Alloy Pistons

  • Valve Train: 16 Valve Direct acting DOHC, ECU acctuated Intake VVTI, Chain Driven

  • Fueling: Electronically controlled port fuel injection, Dual Bank 02 Sensor Trim

  • Peak Output: 138bhp @ 6400 RPM, 172Nm @ 4400 RPM, 6700RPM Max

  • Fluids: 87 RON (or higher) Unleaded Petrol, 5w30 4.16 litres, 13 litres OAT/IAT (Red) ethylene glycol based coolant, 75w90 GL4 Gearbox Oil

The ZZW30 chassis sits uniquely along side the MC, NBC and K platforms Toyota made in the 2000’s, the front strut suspension shares component design with the NBC (Yaris) platform, whilst the rear is a completely unique multi-linked macphearson strut setup.

The gearbox options are slightly more complex as pre face lift cars were equipped with a 5 Speed Manual, whilst later models got a 6 Speed. And depending on what region of the world you live in there were different Ratios, different LSD types or even open differentials. (Not including SMT Gearbox options in this section). For this talk we will only discuss the options for the UK and JDM Gearboxes. All ZZ Engines are mated to a C Series Gearbox and are mounted in a transverse orientation, with the differential being a part of main unit. All UK Models were sold with a Helical LSD Coded 02B. All MR2 C Series Boxes have an M code on them to show them being used in a Mid Engine Application. Due to the gearbox being behind the driver the selector mechanism needs to be reversed.

See the below charts for 5 Speed Specs with the Pre Facelift 15” Rear Wheels and 6 speed specs with Facelift 16” Rear Wheels:

Ownership

Talking about insurance, maintenance and single car prospect.

Potential

Modding and Aftermarket support