- A unique Toyota MR2 with GT86 styling is now available for sale in Japan.
- The mid-engined roadster model features a fully redesigned exterior.
- It retains the 1.8-liter engine and gains a performance suspension upgrade.
While everyone’s obsessively waiting for Toyota to finally bring back the MR2 with that new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, someone in Japan is out there driving a bizarre mid-engine Toyota GT86 roadster. And no, it’s not some secret prototype, it’s a custom build based on the third-gen MR2 Spyder, and it’s currently up for sale.
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The project started with a 2000 Toyota MR-S, Japan’s version of the now-discontinued MR2 roadster. However, only the doors, front windshield, and retractable fabric top have been carried over from the donor vehicle, with everything else being replaced.
A GT86 in MR2 Clothing
The front and rear bumpers come from a first generation GT86, as do the headlights and taillights, though with aftermarket LED graphics. While it’s nice that the car’s wearing genuine Toyota parts, the reality is the MR2 and the GT86 are fundamentally different beasts.
They have totally different proportions and measurements, which means that the hood, fenders, side skirts, and rear deck had to be custom-made from fiber-reinforced plastic. The goal? Mimic the GT86’s design language as closely as possible.
Of course, there’s a catch. The rear deck and bumper vents, originally designed for engine cooling, have been completely covered up by the new body panels. Instead, the car’s relying on some tiny side intakes to keep things cool. While we’re no experts, this could lead to overheating problems, especially if the car’s left idling for too long.
To wrap things up, the exterior is finished in a striking Ferrari Rosso Corsa 322 paint, paired with a fresh set of 18-inch Work alloy wheels. Inside, the upgrades are modest – just a navigation display – while the red bucket seats, steering wheel, and dashboard remain untouched from the original MR2.
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The final product could easily be mistaken for a Toyota GT86 Roadster. Of course, Toyota never actually made a convertible version of the GT86, despite teasing a drop-top concept back in 2013. The same holds true for the current GR86, which is still only available as a coupe.
What About Performance?
The GT86 Roadster imposter keeps the naturally aspirated, mid-mounted 1.8-liter four-cylinder 1ZZ-FE engine from the MR2 donor car, which once churned out 138 horsepower (103 kW / 140 PS) and 171 Nm (126 lb-ft) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential, keeping it true to the MR2’s roots.
More: Someone Built A Mid-Engine Roadster Version Of The Last Toyota Celica
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The model benefits from a few upgrades under the skin, including a new exhaust with dual tailpipes made of titanium, a height-adjustable Tein Flex Z twin-tube coilover suspension, and aftermarket brakes.
According to the listing on Yahoo Auctions where we found it for sale, the car shows 76,829 km (47,700 miles) on the odometer and is generally in good shape. The reported issues are minor, such as some scuffs under the bumpers, a small paint crack at the tip of the hood, and a tear on the inside of the fabric roof. The seller also mentioned that the Ferrari paint job could use a little TLC.
For anyone interested, the GT86/MR2 replica is listed for ¥2,200,000 ($15,100). The auction ends on May 31, so you’ve still got time to make a bid. Just, uh, maybe keep your expectations in check about that engine cooling system.
Yahoo Auctions
#Built #MidEngine #Toyota #GT86 #Roadster
