	pictures-of-cars.com	cuadros de coches images des voitures Abbildungen der Autos immagini degli automobili

Pictures

Unusual
Movie Cars
Concept Cars

By Type
Classic Cars
Exotic Cars
Supercars
Convertible Cars
Sports Cars
SUVs
Hot Cars
Cool Cars
Muscle Cars
Fast Cars

By Make
AC
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Bentley
BMW
Citroen
Ferrari
Ford
Honda
Hummer
Jaguar
Lamborghini
Lexus
Maserati
Mazda
Mercedes
Mini
Noble
Nissan
Peugeot
Porsche
Renault
Rover
Seat
Suzuki
Subaru
Toyota
TVR
Vauxhall
Volkswagen

Specials
Porsche 911
Porsche Boxster

Reviews
Lexus IS200/IS300
Porsche Boxster
Toyota MR2

Specifications New

Convertibles
Coupes
Estates
Hot Hatches
Small MPVs
Sports Convertibles
SuperCars
SuperMinis
SUVs

Race Cars
Nascar Cars
Race Cars
Rally Cars

Car Links
Cars Cars Cars

Porsche 911 Turbo
Buy this Poster at AllPosters.com

Information
Speed Cameras

Archive

Book Review

MR2 Coupes & Spyders
Published by Veloce

For an entertaining read, and a thorough history of the Toyota MR2, we recommend you take a look at "Toyota MR2 Coupes & Spyders" by Automotive Publishing house Veloce. First published in 2002, Veloce’s impressive volume is written by prolific motoring writer Brian Long. In common with the Author’s other motoring books it provides a coverage of its subject that is both interesting and detailed.

A quick scan through the book reveals that most pages feature more than one interesting picture or diagram. These include designers’ sketches, photos of development and production models, as well as a substantial amount of Toyota marketing material. The latter includes (on page 127) a half page reproduction of the company’s 1996 marketing poster which featured the impressive line up of Toyota’s Supra, MR2 MkII and a pair of 6th generation Celicas (a coupe and a convertible). This can be compared against the not dissimilar 1989 poster featuring the MR2 MkI alongside the previous generation Celica and Supra.

1996 Toyota Sports Car Line Up

The scene for the book is set in the interesting foreword by Tadashi Nakagawa - Chief Engineer on the MR2 project from 1992.The first section of the book then provides a brief history of Toyota from its origins as ‘The Toyota Loom Company’ in 1926 through to the early 80’s when the MR2 project began. Having explained the circumstances within Toyota, Long then covers the wider automotive world, and considers the attributes of the other sports cars of the 80’s that the MR2 would be competing against at its launch.

Having set the scene, Long then covers each phase of the car’s evolution. At each stage, he covers the development process in great detail, including lots of material on the alternative concepts that were considered at the time. Information on Toyota’s other sports cars - the Celica and the Supra - is also included, as is relevant information about the company’s participation in motor sports.

Each of the 3 major sections - covering the MR2 MkI, MkII and MkIII will be of interest to most MR2 and MR-S owners, no matter which version they currently own. You can either dip into the book and read it piecemeal, read it cover to cover, or just scan through the wealth of interesting pictures and diagrams.

One of the many MR Concept pictures from the book

The section covering the MkIII MR2 starts with some great pictures of the Toyota MRJ concept car, before covering the rather more well known MR-S concept. This section also features an even larger number of designer sketches including some which are very Porsche Boxster like (in our opinion). This chapter particularly features the development of the Mk III and the earlier production models; it doesn’t cover the minor revisions introduced to later models - though these will be well known to buyers of these vehicles.

The book provides a brief buyers’ guide to the car for prospective buyers of the MkI MR2. Similar information on the later models isn't provided, an while this doesn’t detract from the value of this publication as whole, we would have liked to have seen some information about the Mk II and Mk III in this short chapter.

The book ends with technical specifications for each generation of MR2 and production figures for the vehicle from 1984 through to 1999.

In summary, this is a very interesting book which authoritatively covers the car’s entire history from the early 80s through to the early years of the 21st century.

Book Sales

MR2 Coupes & Spyders is currently available from Veloce priced at a very reasonable Ł29.99 for such a thorough work. UK visitors to www.pictures-of-cars.com may be eligible for a reduced rate P&P.

Toyota LINKS

New and Used Toyota Cars

Toyota Cars

Visit the official site and major retailers of new and used Toyota Cars

New Toyota Aygo Official Site

Toyota Aygo Review

Maxed Toyota Supras

Toyota Car Insurance

Discount Car Insurance

Premium Comprehensive car insurance from Zurich - up to 65% no claims discount, variable level of excess and a typical saving of Ł85. Click here for two instant quotes.