European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 6, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday jury 6,1990 a a a a a a a a a a new Model features aggressive styling the stars and stripes iweis$di3j Page 10 one of our favorite test cars during the 1980s was the nimble but somewhat ugly Toyota mr2 mid engine two seater. Introduced in 1984, it had a lot of character and produced sheer driving fun. Now its been replaced and although we hate to see it go it s Only fair to say that its successor is a much Superior automobile. In fact about the Only similarity is the. Mid engine placement and the suspension. Toyota a sleek new mr2, by towing some aggressive body styling from the Ferrari 348 and the Testagrossa is larger than the old mr2, and is a faster smoother and More sophisticated sports car altogether its also More expensive but not by much. H while noting the Ferrari styling touches one can say that the new mr2 two seater looks Good from All angles. When Drivers ahead saw it approaching they move Over fast. When parked the mr2 always Drew clusters of spectators and their reaction was positive. Like the Mazda Malta the new rear wheel drive mr2 has drawn rave reviews from the worlds automotive press and it is destined for Success. It is a Superb car and deserves the accolades. Designated a 1991�?~Model and wearing the new Toyota badge it arrived on the american and military markets this Spring. It is also arriving on the German National Market this month where it has been tagged a 1990 Model. Toyota officials in Cologne West Germany where we picked up the test car said the new mr2 is Selling Well on the military Market with the cars purchased As soon As they arrive off the boat. The test car was powered by a fuel injected Multi valve 4-Cylinder, 2.2-liter twin Cam engine that turned out 130 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 140 it lbs. Of torque at 4,400 rpm. The same engine is used on the new Celi Ca it its while this engine is Strong enough the Chassis can handle a lot More Power. That is being taken care of by the Turbo version which unfortunately is not being sold on the military Market. Through the gears at redline 6,250 rpm we recorded 35 Mph in first 60 in second 85 in third 110 in fourth and �27 in overdrive top at electronic cutoff. The 0-60 figure was 8.2 seconds. With the mid engine configuration the Power is right at your Back but some extremely Good engine Bay insulation has taken care of the not pc Factor rather Well. Interestingly enough the faster you drive the Moie silent is the engine. It smooths out Over the 100 Mph Mark with Normal conversation no problem at 120 Mph. One you take the mr2 to the states this consideration wont matter. But the car is also relatively quiet in the 60-to-80 Mph Range. With the mid engine the new mr2 is nicely balanced with the weight slightly to the rear where you want it 45 55 front rear distribution. This helps in delivering the Power to the rear wheels and in the handling area As Well. The mr2 clings to the Road a wet or dry and it is highly responsive to the Drivers input. Its fun to Zap the Power Down of the turns. The suspension is Independent All around with front and rear Stabilizer bars while front and rear res Are of different sizes to further Aid handling. At front Are 195/60-hri4s on a Inch wide Alloy wheels while at rear Are -03/60-hr14s on 7-Inch alloys. The Power assist brakes with the Abs anti lock system Are absolutely first rate they worked perfectly in one High Speed emergency situation this occurring on cursing wet country roads suddenly made Slick by heavy Hail. The mr2 by amp Kes Are disc All around and each is ventilated. The rack and i Mon steering also Power assist feels a wedge shaped body rounded lines. Some Ferrari styling touches Are evident. Ass photos pop up headlights drag co efficient is a Low 0,31. Gearbox lever located at front on Center console. Space Saver spare in front compartment. 2.2-liter, mid mounted engine of 130 he. Bit Light but is Quick and direct. While the old mr2 had very Little Luggage space the new Model features a Gener Ous size compartment behind the engine 5.5 cubic fee enough space for some medium size suitcases or two sets of Golf clubs plus Luggage. There is also storage space in the d River passenger compartment with map pockets at the door Bottoms a storage Box at the rear of the console a Good size is Ove Box and a lockable compartment be ind the passengers seat. This area is also used to store the to bar roof panels and sunshades. To set up or remove the to bar roof takes Only a minute. Panel storage takes a bit longer. The Center console separates the Driver and passenger and supports the nubby Little gear shift lever an arrangement similar to the old mr2�?Ts design. The gear changes Are Auto Art gallery opened at Rosso Bianco museum the new Rosso Bianco museum in Aschaffenbur West Germany which features a Superb collection of More than 200 sports cars and racing cars recently added an automotive Art gallery to its Large building Complex. The two floor gallery named Art amp Auto forum houses More than 600 objects of automotive Art including Oil and Watercolour paintings sculptures historic car badges and other items. One of the most spectacular paintings in the collection is a 6-foot-Long work of Argentina a five time world Champion Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel of a Mercedes grand prix car. Admission to the museum is 10 Marks while admission to the new Art amp forum gallery is 5 Marks. Both museum and gallery Are open from 10 . To 6 . On tuesdays through. Sundays during april october but on sundays Only during november March. The Rosso Bianco museum is located at Bemauer Strasse 125, and there is a huge parking lot available on the grounds. To reach the museum from autobahn a3 Frankfurt Wiir Bur Lake exits  Ives or Ost and follow the signs Reading  , easy o make and the throws arc direct. The Drivers seat meanwhile features seven Way adjustment and Lumbar support. There is also plenty of head and leg room and a 6-Footcr will have no problems. The snarling As noted earlier is on the rounded but dynamic Side with functional Ferrari like Side air intakes dual exhaust pipes rear Wing spoiler and integrated umpers. Highly aerodynamic the new m r 2�?Ts drag co efficient reads Only 0,31. The lest car was fully equipped with the list going like this Power windows Power door and window locks Power mirrors and Antenna air conditioning cruise control nicely placed on steering wheel till wheel pm radio stereo with six speaker sound system digital clock two overhead rally Type map lights Abs braking system to bar roof and More but that gives the general idea. The big gauges Are minimal but easy to read through the 4-spoke airbag equipped steering wheel and the ignition key Slot is illuminated by a glowing Green ring As is the Driver door key Slot. The fuel figure came to 21.6 mpg Overall this including several sustained High Speed runs. S the new mr2 As tested costs $21,995, while prices Start at $18,495 for the Sunroof version. The cars May be seen at the various Toyota car world locations in West Germany and Are also available in Belgium Iceland Italy the Netherlands spam and the United  Randy Barnett Auto columnist