How much horsepower does a 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo have?
The 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo delivered about 200 horsepower in U.S.-spec form.
Mounted in Toyota's mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produced a brisk punch for its era, balancing performance with everyday drivability. This article examines the official horsepower figure for the 1991 MR2 Turbo and what that meant on the road for buyers and enthusiasts.
Power figures and specifications
Below is a concise snapshot of the power-related specifications for the 1991 MR2 Turbo in its most common U.S. market configuration. The numbers reflect accepted standards of the time (SAE net).
- Horsepower: 200 hp (SAE net)
- Torque: 196 lb-ft (266 Nm)
- Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4, 3S-GTE turbocharged
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Drivetrain: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
These specifications translated into a responsive acceleration profile and a top speed typical of early-1990s turbocharged sports coupes. The car also featured turbo lag management and a well-balanced chassis, which contributed to its reputation among enthusiasts.
Market context and variations
While the US market commonly cites 200 horsepower, some markets and model years used slightly different tuning or rating standards with nominally similar outputs. The MR2 Turbo's core powertrain—the 2.0-liter 3S-GTE turbocharged engine—remained the heart of the car, paired with a manual gearbox and a lightweight chassis that emphasized handling as much as straight-line speed.
Performance implications
For buyers and collectors, the 1991 MR2 Turbo represents a point in time when turbocharged engines balanced performance with the era's emissions and fuel economy constraints. The 200 horsepower figure placed the MR2 Turbo in competition with other mid-engine sports cars of the era, while its mid-engine layout gave it distinctive handling characteristics that were praised by reviewers and owners alike.
Summary
The 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo delivers about 200 horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, paired with 196 lb-ft of torque and a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. This combination helped define the car’s performance identity for the early 1990s and remains a touchstone for MR2 enthusiasts today.
