600 horsepower against 30 years of supercar development.
In the past, owning a midengined vehicle didn’t necessarily have to be a six-figure supercar. We will be disappointed if the Toyota Previa is not mentioned in the comments. This video shows a different mid-engine Toyota that is more ready to take on a supercar nearly three decades older.
Ah, the . The first two generations of the Toyota Motor Corporation were born in 1980, and then refined over the 1990s. They are still beloved by enthusiasts all around the globe. Carl, a British citizen, is one of those fans. Although we don’t know much about him, he did install a turbocharger on a 1993 MR2. The 3S-GTE four-cylinder generates 610 horsepower (449kilowatts) and turns the rear wheels using an old-school manual transmission.
Rory Reid is back behind the wheel a McLaren540C. If this sounds familiar, It’s the same car that he drove in November to compete against a Mercedes SLR McLaren. The entry-level McLaren seems to enjoy old-versus-new races, but as a reminder, entry level still refers to a twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V8 that produces 533 horsepower (397 kW), and is coupled to a fast-shifting dual clutch gearbox. It can reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and it will touch 200 mph if you keep the throttle on.
The 540C still has a disadvantage, but Carl’s hp claim must be on the money. It was, however, at a disadvantage during the SLR McLaren showdown. That contest went easily to the 540C. The SLR’s engine was up front and caused traction problems, but the MR2 has no such issues due to its mid-engine configuration. This means that this contest should be close.
This is something we won’t be shy about. Reid was harsh about Carl’s engineering skills more than once in this clip. But there is some truth to it. The 540C was made to handle large power, but the MR2 is designed to carry around 200 ponies in the top trim. Poor Toyota’s rear hides spin like mad for the first half of this race. The McLaren makes a significant leap forward each time Carl swaps gears. A manual transmission may be more interesting and engaging for drivers, but it will not be as fast as a paddle-shifted dual clutch box.
Another win for the 540C? Maybe a Previa modified with riders in the back, would be a better challenge.