The Toyota MR2 has an intriguing historical past. Offering a comparatively reasonably priced entry level into partaking, enjoyable efficiency motoring, the MR2 rapidly grew to become many automotive fanatics’ dream automobile over time, from its first technology within the 80s all the way in which to the top of its third technology in 2007.
Ask most gearheads what they assume when the MR2 is introduced up, and some key concepts will come to thoughts. The mannequin is well-known for being sporty, light-weight, and gratifying to drive. Somebody would possibly point out the modern strains of the second-gen’s silhouette, or the distinct teardrop form of the headlights on the third-gen mannequin.
One factor that most individuals wouldn’t affiliate the MR2 with, nonetheless, is a twin-turbo V8 engine, as a result of all of the road-going variations of the MR2 have been powered by inline-four engines. Nonetheless, within the mid-Nineties, Sigma Superior Analysis Growth (SARD), a motorsports and tuning firm with shut associations with Toyota, determined to construct a novel racing creation. The principle objective was to hit the monitor, however there was additionally a street automobile counterpart for homologation functions. The latter is extraordinarily uncommon, with simply two examples having been constructed.
The racing model of this automobile didn’t get pleasure from a very profitable profession, and its uncommon road-going counterpart rapidly entered the archives of automotive historical past. As a substitute of rusting away in a warehouse, nonetheless, one in every of these obscure MR2s is having fun with a second lease on life with a brand new proprietor and loads of outing on the street. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the historical past of the SARD MC8 and MC8-R.
The SARD MC8: A Very Particular Toyota MR2
1995 SARD MC8 Specs | |
Engine | 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 |
Horsepower | 590 hp |
Torque | 506 lb-ft |
Transmission | 6-speed handbook |
Based mostly on | 2nd-generation Toyota MR2 |
The SARD MC8 is the road-going homologation model of the MC8-R race automobile. The corporate constructed two completely different street vehicles. The primary was accomplished in 1995 and completed in white, whereas the second, in-built 1997, was black. Each vehicles had been powered by a twin-turbocharged model of the 1UZ-FE 4.0-liter V8 engine, from fashions such because the Lexus LS400. Just a few additional adjustments had been made when in comparison with the MC8-R, such because the exhaust format.
The second street automobile arrived two years later, and was constructed because of aerodynamic adjustments that required the development of a brand new homologation automobile. Other than being a unique shade, it additionally sported barely completely different bodywork. From a mechanical standpoint, nonetheless, it was pretty much like its predecessor.
The whereabouts of the 1995 automobile had been unknown for a really very long time. Solely spending a short while within the public eye after its building and debut, it then disappeared for years earlier than being featured on a Japanese automobile collector web site, SEiyaa. Ultimately, it discovered its manner into its present dwelling, with an proprietor who proudly showcases the automobile and repeatedly takes the distinctive machine out on the street. You possibly can see extra from the Instagram consumer mc8_channel. The MC8 has made its manner throughout Japan, with loads of picture alternatives alongside the way in which. It is a becoming position for a basic that must be pushed and loved.
On The Observe: The SARD MC8-R
The racing counterpart of the MC8 was the MC8-R. It was a closely modified model of the second-generation Toyota MR2. Constructed by the SARD staff, it competed within the GT1 racing class. The unique automobile was longer than the inventory MR2, with the chassis being closely modified to accommodate the twin-turbocharged engine.
One other essential distinction was within the engine mounting format: the MR2’s unique 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four had a transverse format, whereas the brand new engine was longitudinally mounted. The change required the automobile’s wheelbase to be longer and compelled revisions to the suspension.
Sadly, the MC8-R didn’t have a very profitable profession throughout its time within the racing world. Its debut arrived in 1995 on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the place the automobile retired after simply 14 laps. The next yr, a brand new try resulted in a Twenty fourth-place end. In 1997, the final racing season by which the automobile competed, the MC8-R didn’t make it previous qualifying. A yr later, it was changed by the Toyota GT-One, which raced for 2 seasons and achieved barely higher outcomes.
The Unique Mannequin: The Second-Era MR2
Though the MC8 and MC8-R had been fairly a good distance away from the unique mannequin they had been based mostly on, they had been nonetheless technically variants of the second-generation Toyota MR2. This mannequin reached the US for the 1991 mannequin yr and featured a streamlined look with rounded, softer strains in comparison with the extra angular fashion of the first-generation mannequin. It was additionally bigger and heavier, weighing about 400 kilos greater than the earlier iteration.
As was the case with the first-generation MR2, dealing with was one of many key facets of the second-gen mannequin. Toyota paid quite a lot of consideration to fine-tuning its capabilities, with the contribution {of professional} racing drivers enjoying an element within the design course of.
In Japan, the second-gen MR2 had a lineup consisting of 4 trim ranges: G, G-Restricted, GT-S, and GT. The primary two had a naturally aspirated engine, whereas the latter pair added a turbocharger. In the USA, nonetheless, the MR2 solely got here in two trim ranges, dubbed the MR2 and the MR2 Turbo, respectively, fitted with the NA and turbocharged engine. The Turbo additionally got here with just a few different mechanical enhancements, similar to an upgraded gearbox and a bigger gas pump.
The second-generation MR2 went out of manufacturing in the summertime of 1999. Shortly afterward, the third and last technology of the mannequin was launched, which remained in manufacturing between the 2000 and 2007 mannequin years.
SARD’s Lengthy Historical past In The World Of Motorsport
The agency chargeable for the creation of the MC8 and MC8-R is SARD. The Japanese tuning firm and racing staff acquired its begin in 1972 below the title Sigma Automotive Co. At this stage, the racing staff and the elements/tuning facet of the enterprise had been nonetheless working collectively. SARD ultimately bought high-performance elements and equipment as a part of the operation and oriented in the direction of the motorsport world. A few of the elements provided by SARD embrace turbochargers, suspension elements, gas programs, cooling programs, and aerodynamic kits.
Afterward, the racing staff grew to become a separate entity, with the elements enterprise being renamed Sigma Superior Racing Growth. The agency had a selected give attention to aftermarket elements for Toyota, with the 2 firms creating an in depth relationship. One other offshoot of the unique firm, SARD Marine Challenge, builds and sells Toyota-powered motorboats.
The racing facet of the enterprise, Sigma Automotive, loved an extended profession in motorsport, collaborating in a number of completely different racing collection and classes. In the beginning of the corporate’s historical past, SARD competed in worldwide motorsport, getting into the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the primary time in 1973. After a hiatus of over 10 years throughout which SARD solely took half in home competitions in Japan, in 1989 the staff returned to worldwide motorsport and, ultimately, to Le Mans. In newer years, the staff was pressured to scale back the dimensions of its racing efforts attributable to funding points, however nonetheless maintained a presence on this planet of Tremendous GT racing.
Sources: Toyota, SARD, Instagram/mc8_channel
