Autoblog

Carbon monoxide nearly costs this track day racer his life

Zach Bowman — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Safety, Videos, Toyota

There are plenty of dangers to contend with at a track day. High speeds, inexperienced drivers, faulty equipment and foul weather can all play havoc on an otherwise friendly fender-to-fender weekend. We can now add carbon monoxide poisoning to the list of potential threats.

One Finnish Toyota MR2 owner took his machine out for a quick sprint at Ahvenisto just outside of Hameenlinna. After a few minutes behind the wheel, the driver begins struggling to keep control of his car, eventually spinning into the infield. He maneuvers back on track and pulls off, and it isn't long before he blacks out entirely. Later, he would have no recollection of anything after the car hit the grass.

He stays unconscious for nearly 11 minutes before rescue workers resort to smashing his passenger window to gain access. By the time he receives medical attention, his blood was packed with 67 percent carbon monoxide. Any longer in the vehicle's cabin and the day very well could have been his last. Check out the scariness for yourself.

Continue reading Carbon monoxide nearly costs this track day racer his life

Carbon monoxide nearly costs this track day racer his life originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2012 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dad disapproves of son's 530-horsepower MR2

John Neff — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Toyota, Humor

Reaction vids certainly aren't in short supply. Whether it's a mom screaming her head off during a hot lap of Laguna Seca, a little boy freaking out over the silent rush of acceleration in a Tesla Roadster, or a wife screaming expletives at her husband in Italian during a Sunday spin in a Honda Civic Type-R, these candid-camera-style videos are usually good for a few laughs.

More recently, the meme has been slathered with sex appeal to attract even more eyeballs. There's this well-known example, plus someone on YouTube who just has pretty girls ride shotgun as he takes them for a ride.

We like it best when the passenger's reaction is honest and unscripted, though. Like this example, in which a son takes his father for a ride in his pride and joy: a 530-horsepower Toyota MR2. Shot back in 2010, it's not new, but we'd never seen it before and still get a kick out of the father's response.

Take a trip with Dad after the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading Dad disapproves of son's 530-horsepower MR2

Dad disapproves of son's 530-horsepower MR2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MR2 lives on with Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota, Specialty

With everyone predictably swarming over the Toyobaru Twins here at the Tokyo Motor Show, one bit of performance geekery has been largely overlooked.

Toyota brought out the second iteration of its MR-S/MR2-based GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept, with an all-new look, more carbon fiber and a reworked hybrid powertrain. The standard 2ZZ four-cylinder (or lesser 1ZZ in the States) has been swapped out for a 3.5-liter V6 mounted amidships and outputting 247 horsepower. While that's not much juice from a big V6, the addition of an electric motor powering the front wheels brings overall output up to just under 300 hp, allowing the 3,300-pound roadster to run to 60 mph in the mid-five-second range.

If you're wondering about the name, it's an acronym for "Gazoo Racing tuned by Meister of the Nürburgring," referring to Toyota's ace test driver, the late Hiromu Naruse. Along with the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition, this was the final vehicle Naruse-san worked on before his untimely demise, and it's one of maybe three vehicles at the show that we'd drive home tomorrow given the chance.

MR2 lives on with Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1989 Toyota MR2 Supercharged is minty fresh

Zach Bowman — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Budget, Performance, Auctions, Toyota

We have no qualms admitting that we miss the first-generation Toyota MR2. The spry little mid-engined racer was proof that you didn't need a summer house on the cape to enjoy a perfectly balanced, lightweight sports car. Of course, with its accessible price tag, it's no surprise that very few MR2 models survived without encountering substantial neglect or abuse. That's what makes this supercharged, 1989 gem particularly attractive. With a shave under 22,000 miles on the odometer, all of the factory paperwork and accessories, this machine is bone stock as close to mint as you're likely to find in the wild.

The seller is the original owner and says that he's sending the MR2 on its way because he's focusing his efforts on maintaining a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 that he also bought new. Different strokes for different folks, we guess. If you've got $20,000 lying around with nothing better to do, you can pick up the the 1989 Toyota MR2 in South Windsor, Connecticut at its Buy It Now price, or you can just bid in hopes you meet the reserve. Head over to eBay Motors for more information.

eBay Find of the Day: 1989 Toyota MR2 Supercharged is minty fresh originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DDR launches McLaren F1-influenced Miami GT with Acura RSX or Chevy Corvette power

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Acura, Chevrolet, Specialty, MISC

The guys at DDR Motorsport have put their brand-new Miami GT kits on the market. The kits all sell for right around $20 grand, and can be set up to accept the four pot from either an Acura RSX or Toyota MR2 in Sport Prototype 4 form, or the LS Series small block from the Chevrolet Corvette in Sport Prototype 8 form. The idea, DDR says, is to put a truly affordable supercar on the market.

For your $20k, you get a full tube chassis, an unpainted fiberglass shell, lights, signals and all the glass. What you don't get is an engine or any running gear. Though they can't supply the drive trains, DDR will happily explain how to get your McLaren F1 lookalike up and running.

DDR launches McLaren F1-influenced Miami GT with Acura RSX or Chevy Corvette power originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Toyota MR2 dressed up as Gumpert Apollo

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Auctions, Toyota, Specialty

Gumpert Apollo Replica, and yes, we use that term loosely - Click above for image gallery

Ever seen a Salet S5 Turbo Concept Car? Well, you have now. And it's actually more of a rebodied Toyota MR2 than anything else, designed and built to look something like a Gumpert Apollo. And you thought that such kit cars would end as the world's supply of unmolested Pontiac Fieros dried up? Don't be so sure.

According to the seller (yep, this sucker is available on eBay), a Toyota MR2 frame was utilized, "along with the modern conveniences of airbags, power windows, power locks, air conditioning, exhaust and suspension." No, we don't consider exhaust and suspension modern conveniences, either. But we digress...

Supposedly, the massaged 2.0-liter Twin Cam engine from the donor Toyota has been dyno'd at 255 rear-wheel horsepower thanks to the large aftermarket turbocharger. Crank it all the way up to 19 pounds of boost and you're at 303 horses. Not bad, but still a far cry from the 650-horsepower twin-turbo V8 in its supercar inspiration.

In any case, feel free to browse our image gallery below, and click here if you've got itchy bidding fingers.

Gallery: Gumpert Apollo Replica

[Source: eBay Motors via Carscoop]

eBay Find of the Day: Toyota MR2 dressed up as Gumpert Apollo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Toyota MR2 to be reborn with hybrid power

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Japan, Toyota, Rumormill

Tell us if this sounds familiar: Hybrids will kill the driver-oriented sportscar. It's the line taken by no small share of enthusiasts, and some of them are among us here at Autoblog. But the skeptics were silenced - or temporarily hushed, at least - when Honda took the wraps off of its CR-Z coup concept. After all, anything that could bring back the CRX hatchback with added oomph at no extra cost at the fuel pumps has to sound good to anyone's ears, right? But you didn't think Toyota would let Honda have the fun all to itself now, did you?

It's far from official, but reports out of Japan suggest that Toyota may be working on a reborn hybrid sportscar of its own. The company once known for its sports-coupes recently unveiled the FT-86 concept, and could be set to follow up with a gasoline-electric resurrection of the cult classic MR2. The budget-friendly mid-engine/rear-drive sportscar had a big following who led the legions of the disappointed when the third-generation model was discontinued two years ago. But if the latest reports are to be believed, Mr. Two could be back - in hybrid form.

Details are scarce, but according to Japan's Best Car, we're looking at a two-seat two-door coupe with a gasoline engine mounted amidships behind the cabin, coupled to an electric motor in a more performance-oriented version of the Toyota Synergy Drive popularized by the Prius. Reports suggest it could adopt the MR-S nameplate, which is what the last MR2 was known as in Japan, so there's just as good a chance that it could wear the MR2 nameplate on this side of the Pacific. That's about all we've got for now, but if we all (Toyota included) play our cards just right, Japan's beloved budget mid-engined car could be coming back...with a charge.

[Source: Best Car via CarScoop]

Rumormill: Toyota MR2 to be reborn with hybrid power originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Outraged Italian police set to crush fake Ferrari

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Toyota, Ferrari

Right up front, we must state that there is a very high likelihood that the following is not entirely true. With that said, here's the skinny on what we think we know: Thanks to local copyright laws, cops in Ostuni, Italy have reportedly confiscated a Toyota MR2 cut to look an awful lot like a Ferrari 355 Berlinetta. And they intend to crush it.

So much so that the British-made phony Italian was being touted as the real thing -- an obvious scam. As to why the authorities intend to destroy the car, let's listen to what one of the cops involved had to say: "It was a good fake but just a fake, Ferrari is one of Italy's crown jewels. We can't allow cheap copies."

Yes, well, we guess that makes sense. But are the cops allowed to crush the car out of some odd sense of damaged Italian pride? Looks like it. We here at Autoblog feel it's our duty to go ahead and give you a surefire tip on how to keep your faker from meeting the same fate - nobody suspects a Fiero-bodied Ferrari 308. Hint, hint. Thanks to Cosmin for bringing this to our attention!

[Source: Austrian Times]

Outraged Italian police set to crush fake Ferrari originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 24 Hours of LeMons: Toyota MR2 dicing with a Buick LeSabre at The Lamest Day

Jonny Lieberman — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Buick, Toyota

Toyota MR2 chasing down a Buick LeSabre at Nelson Ledges - click above image to watch the video

You might have heard of this 24 Hours of LeMons traveling sideshow by now. You know, a bunch of $500 cars dropping mufflers all over the place as they pointlessly race around a track. Cruel weirdos dressed up like judges forcing confused, sweaty drivers to write, "Even though I wrote I will not go four wheels off one hundred times on my car, I still went four wheels off." Or Worse. Oh, and if you win the race you get $1,500 in nickels.

Despite all that, the one thing you might not know about the 24 Hours of LeMons is that it's real racing. Some of it pretty good, too. The cars might look a little off, and the drivers might not know a racing line from a fishing line, but what takes place on track is about as real as wheel to wheel racing gets. Proof? Make the jump and watch the video of a Toyota MR2 straight up battling with a Buick LeSabre for over seven minutes on the famous Nelson Ledges race track during last weekend's The Lamest Day. Good stuff, if you're into that whole cheapo car racing thing. Tip of the budget Pyrotect to Dave for the vid!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: 24 Hours of LeMons: Toyota MR2 dicing with a Buick LeSabre at The Lamest Day

VIDEO: 24 Hours of LeMons: Toyota MR2 dicing with a Buick LeSabre at The Lamest Day originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Is Toyota planning a hybrid MR2 sequel as a Honda CRZ competitor?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Green, Toyota, Rumormill

Based on the automaker's current line of eminently reliable, practical and fuel efficient machinery, it's easy to forget that Toyota has a past full of exciting sports cars. A couple of years back, Toyota decided to highlight the fact that it knows how to built a sporty-looking vehicle with the FT-HS concept, which mated a performance-minded hybrid powertrain with edgy, low-slung bodywork.

According to Auto Express in the U.K., Toyota is considering a production model based on the FT-HS concept that would revive the MR2 that was killed off in 2007. If indeed true, this new sporty hybrid would go up against Honda's expected CR-Z hybrid hatchback. Unlike its rival from Honda, though, the MR2 would feature rear-wheel drive, and that's something to get excited about.

Other interesting tidbits include a rumored run to 60 in under seven seconds, with fuel economy in the 60's (50's in the U.S.) and carbon emissions of of under 100 g/km. Performance and efficiency in one package? Sounds too good to be true. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

Gallery: Toyota FT-HS Concept

[Source: Auto Express]

Rendered Speculation: Is Toyota planning a hybrid MR2 sequel as a Honda CRZ competitor? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mid-engine, MR2-powered Aygo Crazy is a real Japanese Shogun

Michael Harley — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Toyota

Click above for high-res gallery of the Toyota Aygo Crazy

What happens when you take a mundane Toyota Aygo microcar and mate it to the go-fast parts of a Toyota MR2? You get the Aygo Crazy (Get it? I-Go-Crazy). While this one-off concept will never see production, it does offer us car nuts some insight as to what fun manufacturers can have with automotive inbreeding and some serious coin.

At best, the stock Toyota Aygo putts around with a 1.0-liter gasoline engine under its front hood that is good for about 67 horsepower, and a 14-second crawl to 60 mph. The engineers at Toyota spent about £100,000 (close to $200,000) ripping the wheezer out and replacing it with a mid-mounted turbocharged 1.8-liter engine. With the new powerplant cranking out 197 horsepower, and a manual transmission sending it to the rear wheels, the 2,200-pound Aygo Crazy sprints to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. If the go-pedal is held to the floor, the genetic experiment will top out at an estimated 127 mph.

Not to leave the job half-done, Toyota flared the bodywork and added a wheel/tire package to accommodate the power. The interior has been fitted with a cage, racing seats, harnesses and a Sparco steering wheel. The seats and doors have also been trimmed in suede and leather. According to those who have driven the Aygo Crazy, the balance of the car has been upset with the engine now mounted over the rear wheels. Snap oversteer is the rule -- much like in another econocar-turned-mid-engine-monster from 1990.

UPDATE: Full gallery of high-res pics and official press release from Toyota added.

Gallery: Toyota Aygo Crazy

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Mid-engine, MR2-powered Aygo Crazy is a real Japanese Shogun

Mid-engine, MR2-powered Aygo Crazy is a real Japanese Shogun originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota/Subaru RWD sports car confirmed for 2011 with boxer engine

John Neff — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Subaru, Toyota

At a press conference in Japan today, Toyota CEO Katsuaki Watanabe finally confirmed that his company is jointly developing a pair of rear-wheel-drive sports cars with Subaru. Each brand will get its own version of the car, which will be powered by one of Subaru's boxer engines, though the engine's displacement, power output and even number of cylinders is not yet known. We're also not sure if the Subaru version will feature the brand's trademark all-wheel-drive system either as an option or standard equipment, or whether Toyota might offer AWD as well in an homage to the Celica GT4 (we hope so!). The styling will most likely resemble the sketch that was published by Autocar yesterday, though we don't expect one car to be a rebadged version of the other. Mark your calendars for 2011, which is when the new sports cars are scheduled to arrive. They'll be riding on a brand new platform and be built in Japan at a new plant by Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru. Toyota also confirmed rumors this morning that it will be buying up more of Fuji, raising its stake in the company from 8.7% to 16.5%.

These RWD sports cars will mean a lot for both companies, as Subaru hasn't offered a performance coupe since the slightly odd SVX, and Toyota all but abandoned performance models after the Supra, Celica and MR2 were cancelled.

[Source: Automotive News, Autocar]

Toyota/Subaru RWD sports car confirmed for 2011 with boxer engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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