Car And Driver - February 1985

Vehicle type: mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, 2 passenger, 2 door coupe

Price as tested: $12,500 (estimated)

Options on test car: base Toyota MR2, $11,350; air conditioning, $600; sunroof
$250; cruise control, $150; power windows and door locks, $150

Sound system: Fujitsu Ten AM/FM-stereo radio/cassette, 3 speakers

Engine

Type .................................. 4 in-line, iron block and aluminum head
Bore x stroke ......................... 3.19 x 3.03 in., 81.0 x 77.0 mm
Displacement .......................... 97 cu in., 1587cc
Compression ratio ..................... 9.4:1
Engine-control system ................. Toyota electronic
Emissions controls .................... 3-way catalytic converter, feedback: fuel-
air-ratio control, EGR
Valve gear ............................ belt-driven double overhead cams, four valves
per cylinder
Power (SAE net) ....................... 112 bhp @ 6600 rpm
Torque (SAE net) ...................... 97 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Redline ............................... 7500 rpm

Drivetrain

Transmission .......................... 5 speed
Final-drive ratio ..................... 4.31:1, limited slip
Gear Ratio MPH/1000 rpm Max. test speed
I 3.56 4.2 32 mph (7500 rpm)
II 1.91 7.9 59 mph (7500 rpm)
III 1.31 11.5 86 mph (7500 rpm)
IV 0.97 15.5 116 mph (7500 rpm)
V 0.82 18.3 116 mph (6350 rpm)

Dimensions and Capacities

Wheelbase ............................. 91.3 in.
Track, F/R ............................ 56.7 / 56.7 in.
Length ................................ 154.5 in.
Width ................................. 65.6 in.
Height ................................ 49.2 in.
Ground clearance ...................... 5.1 in.
Curb weight ........................... 2380 lb.
Weight distribution, F/R .............. 44.5 / 55.5 %
Fuel capacity ......................... 10.8 gal
Oil capacity .......................... 4.4 qt.
Water capacity ........................ 12.7 qt.

Chassis/Body

Type .................................. unit construction
Body material ......................... welded steel stampings

Interior

SAE volume, front seat ................ 50 cu. ft.
trunk space ............... 8 cu. ft.
Front seats ........................... bucket
Recliner type ......................... ratchet
General comfort ....................... good
Fore-and-aft support .................. excellent
Lateral support ....................... good

Suspension

F: ...... ind. MacPherson strut, coil springs, anti-sway bar
R: ...... ind. MacPherson strut, coil springs, anti-sway bar

Steering

Type .................................. rack and pinion
Turns, lock-to-lock ................... 3.2
Turning circle, curb-to-curb .......... 31.5 ft.

Brakes

F: .................................... 9.6 x 0.7-in. vented disc
R: .................................... 9.5 x 0.4-in. disc
Power assist .......................... vacuum

Wheels and Tires

Wheel size ............................ 5.5 x 14 in.
Wheel type ............................ cast aluminum
Tire make and size .................... Bridgestone Potenza RE86 185/60R-14
Test inflation pressures, F/R ......... 30/30 psi

Test Results

Acceleration: Seconds

Zero to 30 mph ........................ 2.6
40 mph ........................ 4.1
50 mph ........................ 5.9
60 mph ........................ 8.3
70 mph ........................ 11.2
80 mph ........................ 15.0
90 mph ........................ 21.2
100 mph ........................ 31.0
Top-gear passing time, 30-70 mph ...... 12.5
50-70 mph ...... 13.2

Standing 1/4 mile ..................... 16.3 sec @ 82 mph
Top speed ............................. 116 mph

Braking:

70-0 mph @ impending lockup ........... 187 ft.
Modulation ............................ good
Fade .................................. none
Front-rear balance .................... good

Handling:

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad ....... 0.81 g
Understeer ............................ minimal

Coast-down Measurements:

Road horsepower @ 50 mph .............. 14.0 hp
Friction and tire losses @ 50 mph ..... 5.5 hp
Aerodynamic drag @ 50 mph ............. 8.5 hp

Fuel Economy:

EPA city driving ...................... 26 mpg
EPA highway driving ................... 29 mpg
C/D observed fuel economy ............. 29 mpg

Interior Sound Level:

Idle .................................. 51 dBA
Full-throttle acceleration ............ 86 dBA
70-mph cruising ....................... 78 dBA
70-mph coasting ....................... 75 dBA

Information courtesy of http://www.mr2.com/