Changes By Year

2001

  • 06/01 New S-belt Tensioner
  • 11/01 New Piston Rings & harmonic balancer
  • 12/01 New pistons

2002

A new transmission was introduced, working without a clutch, the optional sequential manual gearbox had no conventional “H” pattern shift lever. Gears are changed by moving a floor lever forward to upshift, or back to downshift. Or, the driver could use an optional pair of steering-wheel buttons to accomplish the same task. No automatic-shifting capability was provided, and no automatic transmission was available for the MR2 Spyder.

  • 02/02 New Longblock
  • 04/02 New oil pickup
  • 06/02 New Oil pump
  • 07/02 New Water pump
  • 10/02 New Cams

2003

The car got a facelift for 2003, a reshaped nose, new headlights, foglights, taillights, bumper, color-keyed air intakes (used to be black), side vents, rear vents, full-size spare (not UK), 16" rear wheel, motorized antenna, exhaust tip, seats, gauges, interior chrome trim, carseat buckle receptacle, undercar bracing, radio, rearview mirror, dual floormat hooks and HVAC controls.

The sequential manual transmission was upgraded from 5 speeds to 6.

MR2 also got restyled gauges, chrome and metal-look interior trim, standard fog lights, and a power antenna in place of a fixed mast type. Wheel size stayed 15 inches in front, but grew to 16 inches in the rear, where slightly wider tires are fitted as well. Cruise control was a new feature with the SMT.

2004

Limited-slip differential introduced. This was part of the 2003 face-lift in Europe, which also included a six speed manual.

2005

6-disc CD changer in the dash (US cars).

MR Concept picture