The MR2 went on sale in Japan on the 8th June 1984,
initially three models were offered - the range topping 1600 G Limited weighing
950kg, the 940kg 1600G, and the 1500S at 920kg. The two 4AGE engined cars gave
130bhp at 6600rpm and 15.2kgm at 5200rpm and the 1500S with its single ohc. and
carburetor 3ALU Tercel engine, 83 bhp and 12kgm at 5600rpm. One of these cars
was reported recently in the U.K.
The 1600g Limited - G meaning Grand and Limited because it sounds “British” -
was very similar in specification to the car put on sale in the U.K. some 9
months later, but The 1600G and 1500S were, apart from the engines, identical
models with steel wheels and no spoilers. All variants were available as manuals
or automatics, which had the option of ECT-S, an electronically controlled 2 way
overdrive.
Colours across the range were White, Red, Blue, Silver and Sherwood Toning
(Dark metallic green over pale gold metallic) home market prices were:-
1500S - Y1,395,000
1600G - Y1,642,000
1600GL - Y1,795,000 or Y2,091,500 with all the options.
The automatic gearbox cost Y99,000 a sunroof, cruise control, electric
windows, central locking, halogen fog lights, rear tape console, and three
grades of radio cassette completed the options list. The Toyota badge appeared
on the front bumper and speed warning chimes started at 65mph, increasing in
frequency and volume up to 112mph when the engine cuts out. A space saver wheel
and different rear lights and smaller number plate space also identified home
market cars and a 180kph (112mph) speedometer and a catalyser overheating
warning light were fitted.
Road tests recorded a 0-60 time of 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 121 mph, in
spite of a 3 way catalytic converter and emission control equipment. The test
car is shown with black side skirts and a black rear spoiler.
10,534 cars, 526 1500S, 3,160 1600S and 6,848 G Limited were sold in the
first 6 months, and to celebrate the new car being voted car of the year 1984/5
- beating the Honda 16V CRX and Nissan Laurel - Toyota announced a limited
edition of 100 "White Runners" which were sold with Super White II paintwork
extended to bumpers, spoiler, door mirrors and mudguards, with black or red
interiors.
A spyder convertable conversion with no provision for a soft top appeared in
the Japanese magazine Le Volant by November 1984 and a future rally car was
mentioned in the same publication.
In June 1985 minor changes were announced – bumpers, side mudguards and front
and rear spoiler were now in the body colour, bronze glass on the G Limited and
a new colour option, White over silver. A coloured side moulding, new side
stripes and a front boot mat were introduced. Total sales for the first year
amounted to 14,129
In October 1985 a 1600G sports package was launched, this comprised of
Bridgestone Potenza RE71M tyres, a rear anti roll bar and uprated springs and
shock absorbers. This version was set a target of 2,400 sales a year. Prices for
the four car range were now:-
1600G Limited - Y1,884,000 Manual Y1,984,000Automatic
1600G - Y1,659,000 Manual Y1,758,000 Automatic
1500S - Y1,412,000 Manual Y1,491,000 Automatic
Sales for 1985 were 6,595.
On 26th August 1986 the T-Bar, Supercharger and Model 1B changes were
announced and a new colour, two tone grey. An new Ad Supercharger package for
the G Limited model and costing Y20,000 was made up of modified spring and shock
absorber rates, rear anti roll bar and White painted alloy wheels with Potenza
185/60 R14 tyres. New prices were listed:-
1600G Limited - Y1,908,000
T-Bar - Y2,058,000
Supercharger - Y2,100,000
Supercharger T-Bar - Y2,250,000
1600G - Y1,691,000
T-Bar - Y1,841,000
Supercharger coupe - Y1,883,000
Supercharger T-Bar - Y2,033,000
1500S - Y1,447,000
The cost of a T-Bar was therefore Y150,000 and a Supercharger Y192,000. The
supercharger installation weighed some 50kg.
Sales for 1986 amounted to 5,551.
In August 1987 the normally aspirated 4AGE engine was upgrade to LASRE Alpha
specification (4A11) with modified cam and valve timings and larger exhaust
manifold ports resulting in a drop of 10bhp, but complying with new emission
regulations.
1987 sales were recorded as 5,540.
In August 1988 the T-Bar glass was half mirrored to maximise the effect of
the air conditioning and the rear spoiler was given an auxiliary brake light.
The glass was bronze tinted.
Sales for 1988 amounted to 5,708.
January 1989 introduced the final edition of the MK1 in the shape of a Super
Edition. Added to the G Limited T-Bar AD packaged Supercharger were Dark blue
mica metallic paint, Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel and gearknob, pile
carpets and special trim. 270 of these
cars were sold at Y2,492,000. Late models had electric retracting mirrors.
In the last year of MK1 cars 5,832 were sold bringing the total to 43,355.