![]() The VVT-i variable valve timing, which adjusts the timing, lift and duration of the intake and exhaust cams to provide maximum power for low, medium and high engine speeds, spreads the engine's power and torque across much wider bands than they would be with fixed cam timing. That means excellent balance (though weight distribution figures aren't out yet). Spyder it sits transversely behind the two seats and forward of the rear axle. The difference is that the Celica application has the engine sitting transversely in front, while in Mr. The power for this sports car comes from the same 1.8-liter twin-cam four-cylinder that sits in the new Celica. That alone promises all kinds of tossability when we have a real drive in it, with responsiveness and steering feel, not to mention less passionate stuff like good gas mileage. At just 2200 pounds, it's one of the lightest sports cars made. The first thing we noticed about the MR-Spyder was the power-to-weight ratio. But the road twisted on ahead, through two turns and disappeared around a corner. This was no road test-and certainly not a drive sanctioned by Toyota. There weren't many of these-maybe two altogether, we guessed, so it was our job to drive the MR-Spyder back and forth at about 15 mph, down one direction, turn around carefully, check for traffic, then drive back. We piloted the very same MR-Spyder pre-production prototype that would be on the Toyota stand at the Frankfurt motor show. ![]() We got a chance to find out during a photo shoot in Southern California. Practical-ity, value, durability, yes, but passion? Imagine saying to your date, ``I would like to immediately impact how you think about me, baby.'' Passion isn't something that comes naturally to this mega-manufacturer. Toyota division chief Don Esmond said the MR-Spyder was ``designed to immediately impact how consumers think about Toyota products.'' That's Toyota-speak for passion. This little convertible roadster might change that perception. Nothing you would buy on impulse right after the divorce, for instance, or when you just realized you were having a midlife crisis (``I just don't care anymore-I'm buying the XLE!''). ![]() ![]() What the.? Toyota's having fun again? What the heck's going on here? There hasn't been any fun at Toyota since, since when? Since the Supra got the ax after the '98 model year? Since the MR-2 was dropped almost five years ago? Now Toyota is supposed to be the company that builds bulletproof, practical, somewhat boring-to-look-at sedans and minivans-vehicles perfect for families but usually not anything that inspires passion. ![]()
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