It boasts a powerful turbocharged V6.
Although the Toyota MR2 was a popular mid-engine sports vehicle for Toyota, it wasn’t a powerful model. Pieter Zellie didn’t list the “few” modifications that he made to his two-door Toyota in order to make it more efficient, but they were sufficient to enable him to win South Africa’s Knysna Simola Hillclimb.
This car is powered by a modified turbocharged, 3.5-lite engine. Many of his competitors were driven all-wheel-drive racecars. It produces a reported 850 horsepower (625 megawatts). Zellie describes the Toyota’s floor as “over-designed.” It is made of carbon fiber and Kevlar. This helped to improve the car’s aerodynamics and “transformed” it.
After purchasing a Cobra in 1996, Zellie started racing. He set records at the drag strip and won. After he bought a Cobra, he moved to track racing. His hobby turned into a passion, and his wife joined him at the track. He spends his time repairing the car which, he claims, keeps him sane.
His team also did its own R&D, including aerodynamics. Aero upgrades have made the car faster by more than 2 seconds. However, it has not been in a wind tunnel. He believes that aerodynamics has more potential for improvement.
A unique firewall was required by the FIA for approval. Special hillclimb compounds were added to the Pirelli tires that provided grip. Zellie said that he has always loved speed and that the mid-engine MR2 racing car is an extension to this love. Although it doesn’t seem like development is halting, Zeelie believes that the MR2’s engine can make even more horsepower, and torque. However, he didn’t elaborate. Perhaps 1,000 horsepower is possible?