Toyota MR2 Turbo (SW20)
1991–1995 USDM Turbo • 3S-GTE 2.0 Turbo • Mid-Engine
Toyota 3S-GTE
Turbocharged I4
Transverse Mid-Engine
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
5-Speed Manual
T-Top Roof Option
Overview
The second-generation MR2 traded the first car’s wedge-and-origami look for curvaceous, Ferrari-adjacent
styling that earned it the “poor man’s Ferrari” nickname. The USDM Turbo paired the mid-mounted,
turbocharged 3S-GTE — the same engine family as the Celica GT-Four rally homologation car — with a
balanced mid-engine chassis. The U.S. lost the Turbo after 1995, making clean examples increasingly scarce.
Core Specifications
| Model | Toyota MR2 Turbo |
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| Chassis Code | SW20 |
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| Model Years (USDM Turbo) | 1991–1995 |
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| Market | USDM |
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| Vehicle Type | 2-seat mid-engine coupe (T-top optional) |
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| Layout | Transverse mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
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| Curb Weight | Approx. 2,800–2,900 lbs |
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Engine & Powertrain
| Engine | Toyota 3S-GTE — DOHC 16-valve turbocharged I4 |
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| Displacement | 2.0 liters (1,998 cc) |
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| Forced Induction | Single turbocharger with intercooler |
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| Peak Horsepower (USDM) | 200 hp @ 6,000 RPM |
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| Peak Torque (USDM) | 200 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM |
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| Naturally Aspirated Option | 2.2L 5S-FE (130–135 hp) |
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JDM 3S-GTE versions (“Rev3″/”Rev4”) climbed to roughly 242–245 hp, but U.S. emissions tuning capped
the USDM Turbo at 200 hp. America never received the later, more powerful JDM turbo motors.
Drivetrain & Performance
| Manual Transmission | 5-speed manual (E153) |
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| 0–60 mph | Approx. 6.1 seconds |
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| Quarter Mile | Approx. 14.7 seconds |
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| Brakes | 4-wheel ventilated discs |
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Model-Year Context
1991
- SW20 generation arrives in the U.S.; Turbo offered alongside the naturally aspirated car.
1993
- Mid-cycle revisions (“Rev2″/”Rev3” running changes) improved suspension geometry and refinement.
1995
- Final year of the U.S. Turbo; Toyota withdrew the MR2 Turbo from the North American market afterward.
Factory Colors
Turquoise / Teal Metallic
Swatches are approximate screen renderings of representative period colors, not certified paint matches.
Dimensions & Chassis
| Wheelbase | 94.5 in |
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| Overall Length | 164.2 in |
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| Width | 66.9 in |
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| Height | Approx. 48.6 in |
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| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut |
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| Rear Suspension | MacPherson strut |
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| Tires | 195/55 front, 225/50 rear (Turbo, staggered) |
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Why It Matters
The SW20 Turbo is among the last affordable, mid-engine, rear-drive turbo sports cars Toyota sold in
the U.S. Its 3S-GTE heritage, tuning potential, and exotic-on-a-budget styling have driven steady
appreciation, especially for unmolested Turbo cars with documented history.