The Rare Mid-Engine Toyota TRD Model You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

If you’re unaware, Toyota’s TRD division is responsible for loads of performance vehicles, purpose-built off-roaders, and even race cars. Over the years, TRD – also known as Toyota Racing Development – has become mostly synonymous with off-road-capable vehicles, as models such as the Toyota Tundra, Tacoma and Sequoia all come with TRD-based trim levels, and boast unique upgrades which allow those models to face all-terrain situations with more gusto than the standard models.

However, back in the day, TRD was mostly focused on building performance cars. One such model is the Toyota TRD-2000GT, a second-gen Toyota MR2-based sports car. It’s exceedingly rare, with only 35 ever built, although some sources claim there were 37 produced. Regardless, it’s one of the rarest Toyotas ever made, and few have ever heard of it, let alone driven one.

The TRD-2000GT Pays Homage To Motorsport

Key TRD-2000GT Facts

• Produced from 1990 to 1995
• Each conversion completed by Toyota Technocraft Ltd.
• No two TRD2000GTs are alike

The “2000GT” name wasn’t just randomly chosen, it’s actually a nameplate that carries a lot of weight in Toyota’s heritage. The original Toyota 2000GT was a sports car introduced in 1967, and built for only three years. It’s considered one of Toyota’s “halo cars” as it’s exceedingly rare, with only 371 produced. It was built in conjunction with Yamaha, and was meant to show the world that Toyota wasn’t just some imitative foreign automaker, they were actually capable of building great, innovative vehicles.

So, roughly 25 years later, the 2000GT moniker made a comeback on the very special-edition TRD-2000GT. However, the car itself isn’t meant to pay homage to the original 2000GT, it was built to commemorate Toyota’s wins in the Japanese GT-C racing class, which used purpose-built TRD-2000GT race cars based on the SW20 chassis, SW20 being the second-gen MR2’s platform.

As we mentioned prior, only 35 or 37 examples of the TRD-2000GT road car were produced.

These were created in conjunction with Toyota Racing Development at the helm of design, and Toyota’s Technocraft Ltd. tuning arm handled the actual build. In essence, Toyota MR2 customers in Japan were able to send off their new ride for the TRD-2000GT overhaul. The process was extremely expensive and limited, so few actually went for it. Those who did, however, received a completely unique model, as no two TRD-2000GTs are the same.

Each TRD-2000GT Is Unique

Normally, we’d dive into the details regarding a vehicle’s specs at this point. The TRD-2000GT makes that a bit difficult, though. As we touched on before, each and every TRD-2000GT is unique, right down to its powertrain. When a prospective buyer approached TRD with their new MR2 for the conversion, they’d sit down with TRD employees and go over each and every detail they wanted. Nothing was out of the question when it came to power, as one TRD-2000GT was rumored to have been built to produce over 500 horsepower from the factory.

However, we do know a few things about what made the TRD-2000GT go. For starters, each TRD-2000GT underwent extensive suspension work and weight-shedding, with one TRD-2000GT reportedly being weighed at 2,425 pounds, or about 650 pounds lighter than the standard SW20 MR2 Turbo Coupe, making for an extremely impressive power-to-weight-ratio. In addition, every TRD-2000GT received a wider front and rear track, or the distance between each wheel on the front and rear axle, in order to accommodate the TRD-2000GTs wide body kit.

Speaking of its body kit, the TRD-2000GT’s new jacket encompasses its entire shell. It received new, fiberglass bumpers, fenders, a more aggressive rear spoiler, and even a new gas flap. Its side vents were functional, as well, and funneled air over the rear wheels to both help with aerodynamics and provide better cooling to the rear brakes. Some of this air was also channeled into the engine compartment.

Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.

The Regular Toyota MR2 SW20 Was No Slouch

Below, we’ll break down the specs of both the turbo and non-turbo SW20 MR2s:

While the TRD2000GT took the SW20 MR2 to the next level with unparalleled excellence, the bone-stock Toyota MR2 was not to be trifled with, either. Despite being nearly 400 pounds heavier than the previous first-gen MR2, the SW20 received a more robust suspension, larger engine choices, and a sturdier frame altogether. It was also better equipped. It was so luxurious for a two-seater sports car that it was referred to as “the poor man’s Ferrari” for its looks, which loosely resembled a Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS and the less-than-perfect Ferrari 348.

If you were in the market for a SW20 between the years of 1989 and 1999 – or 1991 and 1995 in the States – you were given the option between a naturally-aspirated engine and a turbocharged one. It was also possible to choose between either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. As for its drivetrain, buyers could opt for a viscous limited-slip differential, but only on Turbo models.

Toyota spent quite a lot of time fine-tuning the SW20’s handling capabilities. Toyota, who is famously obsessed with perfection, even sought the expertise of Dan Gurney, a famous racing driver whose name is known throughout NASCAR, Formula One, and even Le Mans. Despite its small size, the SW20 managed to achieve 0.89 g on a skid-pad, and beat several other sports cars of the time in a sprint from 0-60 MPH.

Toyota’s Sports Cars Of Today

As we touched on before, Toyota’s TRD faction isn’t really involved with sports cars these days, as nearly all of their efforts are focused on off-road things. However, Toyota still produces sports cars with the help of another faction called Gazoo Racing, or “GR” for short. It was founded in 2007, and has since taken control of Toyota’s racing endeavors, along with its sports car development.

Currently, Gazoo Racing helps produce a total of three models. First of which is the Supra, a nameplate which carries almost as much weight as the entire Toyota brand when it comes to tuning circles. GR also helps produce the GR86, which is the spiritual successor to the iconic Toyota 86 of the mid-1980s, along with the GR Corolla, an all-wheel drive hatchback that guns for the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf R.

Sources:
TheDrive.com
,
CyprusOnWheels.com