Borrowing a name from the recent past, Toyota launched a mid-engined, rear-drive, two-passenger sports car as a late 2000 model. The name and configuration had last been seen in 1995, in the form of an MR2 coupe. This time, Toyota made the MR2 a Spyder convertible instead. Priced to go against the popular Mazda Miata roadster, the MR2 Spyder also competed against the more costly BMW Z3-Series and Honda’s S2000.
Built on a modified version of the Corolla sedan platform, the MR2 held a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, adapted from the one in the larger Celica sport coupe. Tuned to deliver 138 horsepower, the engine came only with a five-speed manual transmission. The folding soft top contained a glass rear window with defroster provision. No lift-off hardtop was available, so the MR2 Spyder was strictly a convertible. Standard equipment included all-disc antilock braking, air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, power mirrors and locks, power mirrors, a CD/cassette stereo system, and 15-inch alloy wheels. No factory options were offered, but a Toyota dealer could install a tonneau cover, front-end mask, and wheel locks. Toyota intended to limit availability to about 5,000 cars per year.
2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder: Because the MR2 Spyder had been launched late in the 2000 model year, nothing changed for 2001.
2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder: Technology took center stage for 2002, as a unique new transmission became available. Working without a clutch, the optional sequential manual gearbox had no conventional "H" pattern shift lever. Gears could be changed by moving a floor lever forward to upshift, or back to downshift. Or, the driver could use an optional pair of steering-wheel buttons to accomplish the same task. No automatic-shifting capability was provided, and no automatic transmission was available for the MR2 Spyder.
2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder: The sequential manual transmission was upgraded from 5 speeds to 6 for ’03. Exterior changes included a reshaped nose, new headlamps and taillights, and color-keyed instead of black side air intakes. MR2 also got restyled gauges, chrome and metal-look interior trim, standard fog lights, and a power antenna in place of a fixed mast type. Wheel size stayed 15 inches in front, but grew to 16 inches in the rear, where slightly wider tires are fitted as well. Cruise control was a new feature with the SMT.
2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder: New for ’04 is the availability of a limited-slip differential on the MR2 Spyder.
2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder: This midengine 2-seat sports car is essentially unchanged for 2005, which is its final year.
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