Toyota 2000 SR

24th November 2007

Is this the car that could replace the Toyota MR2? It’s a two-seater coupé called the 2000 SR.

Created by Spanish studio Sure Design, the model pays homage to the Japanese manufacturer’s 2000GT of the Sixties. This was Toyota’s first major attempt to launch into the supercar market. And because only 351 examples were built during its production run from 1967 to 1970, it is highly sought after by historic sports car fans. Sure Design’s modern interpretation of the 2000GT is a sharply styled two-door. And in a nod to Toyota’s impressive record in alternative technology, the 2000 SR has two sources of power.

For the track, it uses a 600bhp 3.5-litre V6 turbocharged engine that runs on bioethanol. In this state, the car is rear-wheel drive for optimum hand­ling. However, on public roads, a second, front-mounted electric motor is brought into play. This is capable of driving the front wheels independently, and has been des­igned to be emissions free.