Toyota MR2 Mk2

The Mk2 (or SW20) is for many the greatest MR2.  The new model evolved from the Mk1 in the late 1980s after a design competition inside Toyota where a number of key design departments were challenged to come up with a successor to the Mk1.

The Mk2 SW20 MR2 was in production for just over a decade before it was replaced by the completely different Mk3 convertible.  During its lifespan there were five major 'revisions' of the SW20. 

MR2 Mk2 Models

All five revisions of the Mk2 were available with the regular coupe body (the GT) or as a GT T-Bar featuring removable glass panels.  T-Bars cost new about 10% more than the standard coupe.   UK models of both the GT and the GT T-Bar were fitted with the 3S-GE engine for most of the life, though there are some exceptions. 

MR2 Turbos

Note that none of the T's in GT or GT T-Bar stand for turbo.  The Turbo wasn't available in the UK, though these days you'll probably see more turbos on the road than regular Mk2s as they have been privately imported from Japan over the last 15 years.  Turbos use the 3S-GTE; this time the T does stand for Turbo.

A standard MR2 Turbo (or tubby) offers only a small performance improvement over the normally aspirated (na or N/A) cars; about 225ps compared to around 170ps for the regular na version.  However, the potential to increase the power of the turbo versions is incredible with many owners running their cars around the 300bhp mark, and some achieving far more than that according to the extent of the modifications that they have made.  Apart from the badges on the rear, and usually some indication on the side strip, the turbos are easily identified by the raised louvers on the engine bay cover.

T-Bars

Most MR2 drivers will point out that the T-Bars are slightly less rigid than the coupes and hence handling isn't quite as pin sharp, and some will tell you that the T-Bars have can leak if not properly cared for.  The former may or may not be an issue for you - the car still handles better than most vehicles of the 1990s and many coming off the production line today.  And leaking T-Bar roofs can normally be fixed by treating the seals with silicone spray or by fitting small cams that adjust their location ever so slightly. 

More info on MR2 TBars

MR2 Revisions

The five revisions of the MR2 Mk2 all look very similar, and few outside the MR2 fraternity would be able to spot the difference immediately.  The major visual differences tend to be the shape of the spoiler, size of the wheels, and the colour and shape of the tail lights.  The real differences are in the specification.  Each revision had a life span of around 2 years.

Toyota MR2 Revisions 

  Pictures of MR2 Mk2 Rev 1

  Pictures of MR2 Mk2 Rev 3

Other Variations of SW2X Vehicles - if you really need to know!

The MkII MR2 is generally known also as the SW20, though you'll also see references to the SW21, SW22 and SW23.

While all variations of MR2 MK2 use the SW20 chassis, the designation may vary slightly to other numbers in SW2X range to indicate different engines.   SW21 MR2s were built for the USA and Canada and used the 5SFE Engine instead of the 3SGE or 3SGTE fitted to most other Mk 2 MR2s.  SW22 cars were mostly USA and Canadian models using the 3S-GTE Turbo engine though a few SW21s were also made with the 5S-GE engine.  SW23 cars are rare - these were European cars fitted with the 3SFE engine.  These 3S-FE SW23s included the very few automatic MR2s made for Europe.

An MR2 VIN - Vehicle Identification Number will look something like this 

JT163SW2000099999 with the last 5 or 6 digits being different on every car.

From the digits you can work out in which year and month the car was produced.

You'll also find a model number on the VIN plate which is found inside the front luggage compartment.  This will look something like:-

SW20R-AJMZFG

From this you can work out the type of the vehicle.  This one indicates a car made some time after December 1991 with right hand drive, a Twin Cam 3SGE engine, manual gearbox and a TBar Roof.