MR2 Owners Club of NZ

SW20

Toyota modernised the MR2 with a completely new model released in late 1989. Along with Toyota's new triple oval branding, unfortunately it didn’t get a specific badge like the AW11 before and ZZW30 after. The new model, designated the SW20, was longer and wider than the AW11 and lacked the distinctive angular styling. A softer, more curvaceous style was employed to cover the larger, more luxurious car. Twin side air intakes, longer lower buttresses and a curved rear window all suggest an influence from the Pinninfarina styling of european marques. The Ferrari F348 shows similar traits to the design of the SW20 even though the more popular F355 is suggested where the SW20 got it’s design from, yet it was released in 1994, 5 years after the SW20 was released.

Though comfort levels, ergonomics, reliability and price remained distinctly Japanese. The cars were available with cloth, leather and/or alcantara with Recaro seats and Momo steering wheels as an option. The hard top and targa top roof option was available for the Japanese, UK, Europe, NZ and AUS models. Sunroof models were available in the USA, Europe and UK. Luggage space was no bigger than the AW11 though arranged slightly differently with a larger rear boot, but interior cabin volume was larger in the new model.

The 4AGE, 4AGZE and 3A-U engine used in the MKI MR2 was replaced by the 165ps normally aspirated 2 litre GEN 2 3SGE powerplant. This engine was released in Japan and into many export car markets (NZ being one) and uprated in 1993 to 185ps, although the USA saw the normally aspirated 130ps 2.2 litre 5SFE powerplant while the UK saw the normally aspirated 2.0 litre 128ps 3SFE as an option along side the 3SGE. In December 1997 the Japanese REV 5 model received the GEN 4 3SGE in the form of the BEAMS Redtop with a bump to 200ps. The UK and other markets that saw the SW20 after 1995 still kept the GEN 3 3SGE. Forced induction became available in the form of the turbo-charged 2 litre GEN 2 3SGTE engine which carried a factory rating of 225ps for the Japanese market and 200ps in the USA. The GT/GT-S or Turbo models were not released outside of Japan and the USA respectively. This engine was upgraded in November 1993 to the GEN 3 3SGTE to 245ps for the Japanese market only. Turbo-charged cars were only available with a manual E153 transmission, were normally aspirated cars were available as a 5 speed manual S54 or 4 speed automatic A241E.

The MKII, unlike the MKI which had only one, had many facelifts. In 1992 (manufacturer year: 1993 in the USA) the suspension was upgraded, brakes were upgraded, shift lever updated. A lower front air dam and 15" wheels were introduced. In November 1993 all new engines were used except for the USA, rear tail lights and spoiler were the obvious changes, along with numerous minor upgrades. In June 1996 further changes were made, although they're not as obvious. At the end of 1997 the final and fifth facelift MKII MR2 was released. The changes noted were a 3 position adjustable larger and more 'race-car-like' rear wing, red stitching to the steering wheel and shift knob, red gauge cluster markings, clear front and side marker lights and indicators.

Revision	Market	Year	Features
Rev 1	JDM	12/1989 - 12/1991	First of the MKIIs. G, G-Limited and GT model available. No GT-S model available T-Top and Hardtop models available (Most were T-Top for the early cars) Thin black side mouldings Many minor suspension tweaks were made GEN 2 3SGE 165ps GEN 2 3SGTE 225ps 14” wheels 14x6 +45 and 14x7 +45 Single line rear garnish 0-100kph 7.9 seconds
Rev 1	USDM	01/1990 - 01/1992	First of the MKIIs. MR2 and Turbo models available T-Top and Hardtop models available (Most were T-Top for the early cars) Thick black side mouldings Many minor suspension tweaks were made GEN 1 5SFE 130ps Used due to emissions GEN 2 3SGTE 200ps Emissions EGR and dual catalytic converter for California 14” wheels 14x6 +45 and 14x7 +45 Single line rear garnish 4 spoke steering wheel with airbag (Rev5 JDM type)
Rev 1	NZDM	12/1989 - 12/1991	First of the MKIIs. MR2 or MR2 2.0GTi-16 models available GEN 2 3SGE 165ps (RRP $50,000NZD) T-Top and Hardtop models available Thick black side mouldings Cold start injector Manual Steering Indicator behind front wheel Oil level sensor Clear front park lights with amber indicators Gauge illumination rheostat Single line rear garnish Cloth seats (Velour)
Rev 2	JDM	12/1991 - 11/1993	GT-S model made available Black side mouldings thin changed to various colour combinations Front and rear suspension changed Brakes changed to the 36T30 and 22V calipers for all models 15” wheels 15x6 +45 and 15x7 +45 GEN 2 3SGE 165ps Updated ECU and minor mechanical parts GEN 2 3SGTE 225ps Updated ECU and minor mechanical parts Double line rear garnish
Rev 2	USDM	01/1992 - 11/1993	Black mouldings thick GEN 1 5SFE 130ps Still used due to emissions GEN 2 3SGTE 225ps Updated ECU and minor and minor mechanical parts 15” wheels 15x6 +45 and 15x7 +45 Single line rear garnish (same as Rev 1)
Rev 2	NZDM	12/1991 - 11/1993	Black mouldings thick GEN 2 3SGE 165ps Updated ECU and minor mechanical parts 15” wheels 15x6 +45 and 15x7 +45 Single line rear garnish (same as Rev 1) Indicator behind front wheel Oil level sensor Clear front park lights with amber indicators Gauge illumination rheostat Cloth seats (Velour)
Rev 3	JDM	11/1993 - 06/1996	New GEN3 3SGE for the G/G-Limited producing 185ps and using a new Bosch ECU New GEN3 3SGTE for the GT/GT-S producing 245ps Bilstein dampers made available Single piece rear wing Tail lights and centre garnish updated to rounder shape. Known as Kouki lights (translation 'after major change') Front lip, lower sills, rear pods and side trim painted body colour Interior door cards and seats fabric pattern changed for G/G-Limited/GT-S Rear suspension tower bolt on reinforcement plates Side impact door bars
Rev 3	USDM	MY 1993 - 1995	1995 Last year of USDM sold SW20 GEN2 5SFE engine and wiring Updated GEN2 3SGTE and wiring Turbo model received 36T30 and 22V calipers Gear lever and knob changed (Same as 92+ JDM) Tail lights and centre garnish updated to rounder shape. Known as Kouki lights (translation 'after major change')
Rev 3	NZDM	11/1993 - 06/1996	New GEN3 3SGE Kouki tail lights with colour coded centre panel Thick black side mouldings instead of colour coded Colour coded front lip, side sills and rear lower bumper Side impact door bars 4 spoke steering wheel with airbag (Rev 5 JDM type) Leather seats with leather door card inserts Clear front park lights with amber indicators 6 speaker radio cassette system with security system Gauge illumination rheostat Oil pressure gauge?
Rev 4	JDM	06/1996 - 12/1997	Side indicator moved to behind front wheels Wheels remained as the same 15” design but had diamond cut finish 2 Tone colour scheme available as silver body with black metallic roof known as Sonic Shadow 2CE. This also had black side trim like the Rev 1 models Stainless steel MR2 door sill plate to GT models only Passenger airbag added
Rev 5	JDM	12/1997 - 08/1999	Front and side indicators changed from amber to clear Rear wing updates to high version with adjustment New 15” wheels with thin spoke design 15x6 +45 and 15x7 +45 New 4 spoke steering wheel with airbag standard and red stitching. Similar to the USDM steering wheel from 1991 Gear knob gets red stitching Gauge cluster gets gets red dials GEN4 3SGE BEAMS Redtop with single VVT-i added to the G-Limited model GEN3 3SGTE remains in GT and GT-S model Air deflectors in front of front wheels added

Europe, UK, NZ and Aus got slightly different models with minor changes. Too many to list here but it’s amazing how different just one model of car can be over 10 years of production in different markets in the world.

Japan	MR2 G MR2 G-Limited MR2 GT-S (From 1992 onwards) MR2 GT
USA	MR2 MR2 Turbo
UK	MR2 Coupe MR2 2.0GTi-16
Europe	MR2 MR2 2.0GTi-16
Australia	MR2 MR2 GT (non turbo, boot had a sticker instead of badge) MR2 Bathurst R
New Zealand	MR2 MR2 2.0GTi-16

Some special models were created over the 10 years of SW production

JDM 1991 SW20 G-Limited Super Edition

Effectively a G-Limited Targa Top with GT interior specs such as leather/alcantara seats and door cards with an 8 speaker sound system. It came in a grey paint colour with Super Edition decals on the doors. 850 units were made.

UK 1996 SW20 10th Anniversary Edition GTi-2.0

These were a limited run 250 special editions made to celebrate 10 years of the MR2 back to 1984 for the AW11 and AW10 models. This was a 1996 (why 12 years after 1984, we don’t know) REV3 UK spec GTi-2.0 with little trim and logo features to make it slightly different. Available in silver or blue only. Starting with the MOMO steering wheel, it had a timber overlay on the top half and bottom centre of the grip with a badge showing ‘TENTH ANNIVERSARY MR2’ with a unique number inlaid to a timber horn button. The same badge was placed on the ash tray lid, on a key ring fob, rear centre of the engine lid, Full leather seats and alcantara door cards. A stainless steel sill plate with MR2 embossed into it. This was also present in the JDM Bilstein Edition and the REV4 and 5 JDM GT.

JDM 1995 SW20 10th Anniversary Bilstein Package G-Limited

This was a limited model for the Japanese market based on the G-Limited model. Black or silver paint. MOMO steering wheel and shift knob, Cloth interior. Bilstein dampers with 2 stage damping. Grey painted wheels. Hard top only. 10th Anniversary Bilstein Edition door sticker. Key chain. Recaro seats as option. 6 speaker standard with dealer optional upgrade. No tape player.

AUDM Bathurst R

A version of the SW20 was created in the form of a REV3-5 to celebrate the MR2s 4 from 4 class wins at the Bathurst 12 hour race from 1990-1994.

The car was a light weight stripped down low spec model apparently also created to get under the Australian Luxury Car tax pricing. It had no fog lights, no air conditioning, no power steering, no power folding mirrors, no ABS, no centre CD and Tape storage box similar to the 5S powered USDM MR2, cloth interior making it 38kg lighter than the model that was sold along side it called the GT. Not to be confused with the JDM GT which was turbocharged. The jump in power (132kW from 117kW) came in the form of the GEN3 3SGE that was added to the world wide market except the USA at the end of 1993. No actual power gains were present over the other GEN3 3SGE powered MR2 sold elsewhere or the GT model mentioned prior.

Things that make it stand out over other models is the Bathurst R sticker on the right side of the boot/trunk lid, black stripes down the side (which is actually a standard trim for AU and NZ models throughout production) and no fog lights.

Like all MR2s sold new in Australia and New Zealand, the Bathurst R model was only available in normally aspirated form.