Toyota Matrix test drive since 2009 hatchback

Toyota Mr-S car review

General
The Toyota MR-S sports family model has been partially modernized for the first time since in November 1999 it went on sale. If you do not talk about Honda NSX, Porsche, Ferrari and other sports cars with a high price, then MR-S is, as you know, the only affordable and realistic sports car with an average location of the engine now in Japan. If you do not take into account such a condition as the average location of the engine, then when mentioning a light sports car for pure pleasure from the movement comes only Mazda Roadster and Daihatsu Copen. And in this sense, Toyota Mr-S is for us, lovers of cars, very valuable at the present time, when the flowering of minivans is observed.
With the current partial modernization, not only such routine work was carried out as minor changes in internal and external design and a change in characteristics, but also the improvement of the chassis, expressed in the translation at 6 transmission speeds, remaining manual with sequential switching, as well as in the introduction of different diameters Tires by installing a larger diameter with a size of 215/45R16. By the way, along with a change in the size of the tires, on the cheapest modification in instead of the previous iron wheels, a standard installation of aluminum wheels have the same design with the upper class. Based on the character of MR-S as a 2-seater sports car, it is impossible to expect its mass sale. But since it was originally a car with a high degree of perfection, I personally feels pleased because it was not subjected to excessive alterations.
 
Improving quality \u003d increasing attractiveness
Naturally, a specific finish has not changed fundamentally, for which the car can be called a Porsche Boxter model reduced for Toyota. The following work was done: first of all, a front bumper of a new design was installed, equipped with round fog lights, common to all modifications. The front headlights contain small floodlights of the upper outer type, and the base has become multi -reflex. In addition, there are rear headlights of the new design, the side marks became light, the side air intakes were obtained more in-depth, the rear decorative elements are made in a new way, the cutout is increased (only for modifications S and V), the diameter of the rear tires, outstanding outward. During partial modernizations of Japanese cars, carried out 2-3 years after launch on sale, the opposite effect often occurs, in which the initial balance is violated, but in the case of MR-S, any change in the change is effective. In particular, an increase in the visual sensation of stability and a low center of gravity caused by high -diameter tires and front bumper was noticeable, so the attractiveness characteristic of sports cars increased.
Changes have also been made in the interior, which from the very beginning they said that the feeling of quality seems insufficient. A fundamental design is also preserved in this model, however, the handle of the exhaust opening of the air conditioner and the space around the rotary scale, auxiliary door handles and space around door speakers was chrome. In addition, the calibration of control devices and scales is smallerly made. The lighting of the audio system is replaced by a warm amber color, the cloth covers of the seats are made with holes, the function of pinched pinches is added to the windows. MR-S is really a cheap machine, and I personally think that a feeling of cheapness, in itself it is not so bad. In this sense, I did not particularly feel dissatisfaction with the previous model, and if we take into account the estimates of the market and users, then such changes are apparently natural. In any case, the above reverse effect is not caused.
 
Bringing a light sports car to perfection
MR-S has a long wheeled base, which can be called bold for sports cars of this class, and a small weight not exceeding 1000 kg, combined with a rather moderate engine. Thanks to this, he received a modern chassis that is unprecedentedly stable for cars with an engine in the middle, and everyone can enjoy it. The main competitor of Mazda Roadster-on the contrary, has a character that allows you to actively control the skid of the rear, which is characteristic of rear-wheel drive cars, and maybe some of them had an opinion that the MR-S movement is no good. However, the author does not think so. The concept of MR-S is completely correct. In modern sports cars, it is necessary, first of all, to ensure stability in sizes based on a long wheeled base. This is the tendency of the 21st century, common for the models of Ferrari 360 Modena, Porsche Boxter and Nissan Fairlady Z with flat headlights. In addition, the conversation that it is possible to provide the back of the rear of the cars with the engine in the middle, with the engine behind and the rear -wheel drive or other models, weighted in the rear, is completely within the competence of professional drivers. And for MR-S and other cars with the median location of the engine, the main pleasure is the complete pleasure of the light ability to turn the front and a powerful rear rod within the clutch.
The chassis of the new MR-S impresses that the former foundation has received further improvement. Having increased the size of the rear tires, the developers further increased the rear stability and loosened the rear damping force by changing the hardness of the body. It was possible to force the suspension to work more smoothly. In fact, the new MR-S has become clearly better in comfort for movement. The sensation of the clear work of the suspension, which constantly gives the driver a sensation of clutch, clearly increased. In addition, the chassis is simply magnificent, which allows, when turning with deep roll, not to violate the course on the irregularities of the road, but to absorb them.
Another news is a 6-speed transmission, but we can say that with the current combination of even torque with a light body, the failure of the previous 5-speed transmission was almost not felt. In this case, if you think about the possibility of improper switching (due to the human factor, and not due to the degree of perfection of technology) in a normal manual transmission, then 5-speed and 6-speed have their pros and rush. However, it is known that during the current transfer at 6 speeds, the clutch work in transmission with sequential switching and engine control. The feeling of uncontrolled motion when switching to high speed, which, can be said, is somewhat weakened, transmission of this type are doomed. The magnificent switching to a reduced gear remains unchanged, therefore it is precisely for a consistent manual transmission that the impression is that the pleasure of driving increased by 20-30%.
The MR-S movement, provided by high stability and light body, can be called the initially magnificent. The attractiveness of the model under the slogan is clearly inherited here: it is this - the light sports car of the 21st century, expressed in rich sensations from steering, in excellent brakes, in the 1ZZ -FE engine, which works with restraint, but pleasantly, in an impeccably working consistent manual transmission, etc. D.
 

Source: CarView.co.jp