The Toyota MR2 is a two-seat, mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car produced by Toyota from 1984 until July 2007 when production stopped in Japan, in three different design series. The latest version was called the Toyota MR-S in Japan, the Toyota MR2 Spyder in the United States, and the Toyota MR2 Roadster in Europe. When said in French, the name MR2 [ɛm ɛʀ ˈdø] sounds like est merdeux [ˈmɛʀd] (fr: is shitty). Thus, the car was sold there only as the MR.
It is a common misconception that the MR2 was Lotus-designed but assembled and distributed by Toyota. In actuality the Lotus M90 (a.k.a. the X100) project was scrapped after a single prototype was built and Lotus was later bought out by General Motors, ending its relationship with Toyota (until Lotus' decision to source a Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine for its second-generation Elise). The MR2 was designed by Toyota with Lotus engineer Roger Becker involved on its suspension and handling. With its mid/rear engine and small size, the MR2 is often compared to more exotic sports cars.
