History Of Toyota's Iconic Sports Cars: The MR2, Supra, And Celica

Toyota may not be known for its sports cars, but it has built some iconic models in the past, and here's all you need to know about three of them.

Since the beginning of Toyota (1937), before the Second World War, before the ever-demanding mechanical industrialization that is our current era, Toyota has proved itself to be a formidable manufacturer of automobiles. Currently, the automotive company is most known for its ability to manufacture affordable, reliable, and timeless vehicles. But that is not to say that that is all the company is capable of. Toyota strives for performance. The sports cars it has made throughout the years have not only contributed to the cause of making masterful vehicles, but the automaker has also helped lead the way. It all started with the Toyota Sports 800, and that legacy lives on within the MR2, Celica, and Supra.

These three sports cars are the epitome of Toyota's performance prowess. While the MR2 and Celica may not be in rotation anymore, their greatness echoes on, and for the Supra, the legacy continues. Over the years, these vehicles have evolved many times, some more recently than others. With different renditions and years to choose from, it's no surprise that car enthusiasts have fallen in love with these unique Toyota builds.

If you were to ask the average car consumer what they thought of Toyota's history of sports cars, they might not be able to tell you anything of importance. But that isn't their fault. Toyota's reputation for making reliable sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks is so apparent that often their sports cars go unnoticed. Now, on the other hand, if you were to ask a sports car enthusiast what they thought about Toyota's history of making sports cars, they might have a lot to say about the cult following of the Celica or how they are overjoyed that Toyota included a manual transmission for the 2023 model. Regardless of whether discontinued or still ongoing, Toyota's history is worth reliving.

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As the oldest of the trio, the Celica was released to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1970. Designed to be the Japanese version of the Ford Mustang, the Celica rivaled the American sports cars, including the Chevy Camaro with its unique build. It was one of the few cars around with a stylish design that offered higher performance paired with a reasonable price. This made the Celica an immediate hit.

This particular sports car was designed to be something more than your everyday vehicle. Toyota wanted the drive, performance, and, most of all, excitement, to be present. Even the name 'Celica' comes from the word célico meaning "from the heavens." Whatever inspired Toyota to design this car, it must have been divine.

The very first generation of the Celica was offered in two versions, the LT and the ST. The LT came with a 2T carbureted four-cylinder engine that displaced 1.6 liters, whereas the ST came with a twin Solex-carburetor 2T-B engine. Initially, the Celica sold well and nothing changed. In 1974, Toyota launched a GT model called the 2T-G, equipping this new version with a DOHC twin-Solex carburetor 1.6-liter engine. There was even a version called the GTV, with that 2T-G engine, but with a simpler interior design and a firmer suspension.

In its first decade, the Celica won Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" award three times (1974, 1976, and 1977). It was clear that Toyota had done something entirely right with the first seven years of the Celica. The company was ready to make some changes. The Japanese carmaker was ready to move toward newer, better generations.

Related: 10 Things You Should Know About Toyota Sports Cars

From 1978 to 1981, the second generation built upon the most loved features of the first-generation Celica. Toyota kept producing an ST trim as well as a GT trim. Both had 2.2-liter engines. A 1980s four-door spinoff of the model was released, called the Toyota Celica Camry. In the same year, Toyota released a limited edition "U.S. Grand Prix" GT Liftback to commemorate the model's 10th anniversary. The Camry was released just two years later.

Toyota mixed things up with the third generation, which ran from 1982 to 1985. This iteration had better performance, which was expected, but features a boxier, more modern approach to its design. The 1982 version offered the model's first turbo engine, the GT-T, sporting a 1.8-liter 3T-GTE engine. Not much changed in the years that followed. Notably, the Celica GT-S was offered as a convertible thanks to the American Sunroof Corporation.

In the following decade, Toyota continued to make slight upgrades and enhancements to the Celica, which included the fourth generation. Consumers continued to adore this small yet powerful sports car. The Celica even broke into the rally car scene, much like the current rally-inspired Toyota Corolla GR. It won its first WCR race in the 1989 Rally Australia.

In 1989, with the release of the fifth generation, Toyota decided to change the style of the Celica once again. The car lost its edges and with that lost its boxy shape. It became smoother, sleeker, and more dynamic. With new wheels, tires, and more power, the Celica was altogether different. The most recent Celica still adheres to this generation's style change. Not to mention, its 200-horsepower turbocharged engine made it the most powerful Celica yet.

Coming into the 2000s, Toyota continued to make changes to the Celica, but less frequently and with less gusto. It seemed as though the car was slowing down in terms of popularity, and Toyota's interests were shifting. The seventh and last generation was released in 2000 with lots of curves. Simplified and uncomplicated, the Celica still offered two trims, the GT and the GT-S. While this version was still fast and exciting to drive, consumers were disappointed that Toyota had not done more. The Celica was eventually discontinued, with Its last production year being 2006.

Related: This Mid-Engined Ford Mustang Would Decimate The Chevy C8 Corvette

Debuting in 1984, the MR2 is a special car for many reasons. In the history of Toyota sports car manufacturing, this one stands out simply because it is like nothing Toyota has ever made, and not simply because of its mid-engine design. With some dubbing it a "budget exotic car," the MR2 was an innovative spectacle that could rival the current Porsche 944. It was what Toyota always dreamed the Sports 800 would become but with a modern twist.

This 80s icon was an example of Toyota's developmental experimentation with sizes, engines, drivetrains, and styles. MR2 stands for Midship Drive-drive 2-seater. With impeccable handling, 112 horsepower, a twin-cam 1.6-liter inline-four mounted engine, and a 0 to 60 mph in about 8.4 seconds, the MR2 briefly eclipsed the most exciting European sports cars of the day.

With the addition of the second generation, the Mk2, the MR2 went through a kind of metamorphosis. It was heavier, faster, curvier, and more expensive. This version came standard with 130 horsepower, but if you opted for the Turbo trim, which had 'Turbo' inscribed on the back, you were in for 200 horsepower. The standard had a 0-60 time of about eight seconds and the Turbo version hit it in about 5.8 seconds. Updates through this generation's lifespan allowed the MR2 to reach 135 horsepower for the standard and 240 horses for the Turbo.

The third and final generation of the MR2, the Mk3, was released in 2000 and seemed to revert to the basics. From then on, the MR2 was only available as a convertible. It was smaller, lighter, and more modest in terms of speed. While this MR2 was not as performance-driven as its predecessors, it was still loved for its amazing handling and unique design.

Cult followers and collectors alike could enjoy owning a car that resembled a Porsche but was unlike Toyota had ever made before. Ultimately, the lack of demand convinced Toyota to halt production of this much-loved sports car. Only 27,941 MR2 Spyders were sold in America in its last production year in 2005, making it the most rare MR2 produced.

Related:This Is Probably The Fastest Toyota MR2 In Existence

While the Supra might just be the most impressive sports car Toyota has ever manufactured, it all started as a spin-off of the Celica back in 1978. Designed to be more luxurious and more powerful, the Supra was always meant to be Toyota's pinnacle of automotive engineering.

Released in Japan in 1981 as the Celica Supra, the car gained traction and Toyota began international exports in 1982 to select parts of Europe. Its 2.8-liter 5M-GE flagship twin-cam engine and sharp-edged design set this car apart from the Celica as well as other sports cars on the market. If the Celica was designed to rival the Mustang, then the Supra was in a lane of its own. In 1985, Celica and Supra parted ways. The Celica switched to front-wheel drive, while the Supra continued to explore its wheel-drive ingenuity.

The A70 Supra was released in 1986, shorter, lighter, and more powerful than ever. Its 3.0-liter 7M-GTE turbocharged and intercooled twin-cam engine produced 230 horsepower. Later iterations were able to produce up to 270 horses with the limited edition 3.0GT Turbo A.

In the late 80s, the Supra had been refined. Reaching top speeds of around 150 mph and hitting 0-60 in 6.1 seconds, the most powerful Supra trim was not to be messed with. The early 90s saw the Supra glide into its third generation and with the MR2 making its own strides, Toyota could do no wrong. But the 80s and 90s proved challenging for the company, seeing as many other carmakers were making their own strides and accomplishments. It was settled, the Supra had to be smaller, more efficient, and absolutely more powerful. The Supra MK4, which first came out in 1993, might just be the favorite Supra model of all time.

The A80's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter JZ-series straight-six engine was the most powerful you could find. 326 brake horsepower was enough to get any sports car enthusiast on their feet. But in 2002, after a lengthy run, the Supra was discontinued. It was over 500,000 copies worldwide, but demand was not high enough to keep the car going. For a while, it seemed as though the world would never see another Toyota Supra again. That is, until 17 years later, it made a dramatic return.

In 2019, the Supra returned sleeker and smoother than ever. Fitted with a turbocharged B48 2.0-liter inline-four or a turbocharged B58 3.0-liter inline-six, the only thing the 2019 Supra is missing is a manual transmission. Good thing the 2023 model is getting one!