1999. 10 : Toyota announced the release of the MR-S in Japan. The mid-ship engine open sports car MR-S is powered by a L-4 DOHC 1.8-liter engine with VVT-i variable-valve timing system that delivers a power output of 140 horsepower. The MR-S comes with a 5 speed manual transmission and is available with a newly developed 5 speed sequential manual transmission. The 5 speed sequential manual transmission with steering wheel-mounted shift buttons, used for racing cars, offers shifting without the using of a clutch pedal.
2000.09 : Modellista announced the release of the custom-built car Caserta.
The Caserta is based on the MR-S and is 150 units limited edition. The
Caserta lowered the body 20mm from the base model, and improved roadholding.The
base model has only the custom-built body.And the luxurious model is quipped
with leather seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel, leather door trims,
and a leather console.
Main Equipment : custom-built body, exclusive head lamps, special emblem,
alloy wheels, twin exhaust, helical LSD(option), driver SRS airbags(option)
.
2000.09 : Modellista introduced VM180 TRD jointly developed by Modellista
and TRD. The VM180 TRD is based on the MR-S S-EDITION featuring modified
1ZZ-FE engine that makes 155 horsepower. The 1ZZ-FE 1.8-liter DOHC engine
has been improved by changing the induction system and the exhaust system.
The exclusive equipment includes a exhaust manifold, a exhaust silencer,
suspension, front & rear fenders, and bumpers.
Standard Equipment : Front 185/55R15 tires, Rear 205/50R15 tires, Alloy wheels, V-disc brakes, Stabilizer(front&rear), Wind deflector, Soft-top, ABS, Driver and passenger SRS airbags, 3-point seat belts with ELR, Electric colored door mirrors, Power windows, Leather 3 spoke steering wheel, Leather wrapped shift knob(5MT), Keyless entry unlock, Aluminum pedals, Power assisted steering, Air conditioning.
VM180 TRD Special Equipment : Exhaust manifold, Exhaust silencer, Air cleaner duct, Suspension, Stabilizer(front & rear), Front bumper, Rear bumper, Side mud guards, Front fender, Rear fender, Emblem.
Optional parts : Helical LSD, Hard top, TRD suspension, TRD front tower bar, TRD rear tower bar, Front 205/45R16 tires, Rear 215/45ZR16 tires, TRD alloy wheels, TRD flywheel, Rear spoiler.
2001.02 : The VM180 ZAGATO is introduced.
2002.08 : The MR-S adopts a new 6-speed manual transmission and a new 6
speed sequential manual transmission to contribute noise decrease and low
emission. And the suspension has been improved to maximize driving performance.
A mild face-lift for the MR-S includes new front bumper, new headlight
and taillight design, side air intake, and rear garnish and grille design.
2005.12 : There some changes. The MR-S got the front foglights with indicator
and new design taillights.
2006.11 : The MR-S V-edition FINAL VERSION is introduced (1000 units).
The MR-S V-edition FINAL VERSION, based on the V-edition, is added the
red soft-top, red leather seats, red door trim, and the red steering wheel.
2007.07 : The MR-S will be out of production on January. The MR-S V-edition
FINAL VERSION will be out of production on July.
