2000 Toyota MR-Spyder

2000 Toyota MR-Spyder
CHICAGO - One part Mazda Miata and one part Porsche Boxster, the Toyota MR-Spyder was unveiled in Chicago as a concept car. It's a solid concept, though, since Toyota admits that virtually the same vehicle will end up in dealer showrooms as a production model for the year 2000.

The two-seat, mid-engine, rear-drive roadster weighs in at less than 2300 pounds and is a refinement of the Toyota MR-S roadster that bowed at the Tokyo Auto Show in 1997. Like the Miata, it is a small (153 inches long), back-to-basics sports car meant to be a delight to drive and easy on the budget. Like the Boxster, it is a mid-engined sports car that benefits from leading-edge technology.

Powered by a 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder, the MR-Spyder features Toyota's variable-valve timing technology to maximize horsepower and torque. The result is 140 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 127 foot-pounds at 4000 rpm. Engine output is delivered to the rear wheels via a sequential five-speed manual sport-shift transmission. This all-new gearbox is operated by either a shift lever on the center console or pushbuttons mounted on the steering wheel. There is no clutch pedal. Unlike the Boxster, the MR-Spyder does not offer fully automatic shifting.

Power steering is supplied by an electric-hydraulic unit. Designed to save weight, Toyota says its provides "exceptional responsiveness and road feedback."

Like Pontiac's long-gone mid-engined Fiero, the MR-Spyder has exterior body panels bolted to a unit body. In this case, the panels are steel rather than Pontiac's plastic. Toyota says this allows for "future modification or customization, while making repairs less expensive." The car's "trunk" is under the hood and additional cargo space is found behind the seats. The manually operated softtop folds completely into the bodywork and is covered by a hard boot cover.

While giving out no specific numbers, Toyota officials say it will be competitively priced with the Miata when it arrives at dealers about a year from now.