Much like the Mazda MX-5 Miata NA, NB and NC, the third-generation Toyota MR2 has often been criticized for not offering enough power and (especially) torque in factory specification.

The naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine delivered 140 PS (138 HP) and 171 Nm (126 lb-ft) of torque in stock form. Toyota deemed that was enough for a 996-kg (2,195-lb) two-seat sports car, as the power plant enabled a 0-100 km/h sprint of 6.8 seconds with the standard six-speed manual transmission.

Most people thought that too, but there were others who believed a turbocharger applied to the 1.8-liter unit would work wonders. Fortunately, Toyota Europe was open to that suggestion and at one point offered the limited-edition TTE Turbo upgrade for the MR2 as a dealer-installed option.

Watch: California Man Owns FOURTEEN Toyota MR2 Sports Cars, Here’s Why

Consisting of a Garrett turbocharger, air-to-air intercooler and more free-flowing stainless steel exhaust, among other modifications, the power kit boosted the engine to 184 PS (181 HP) and 255 Nm (188 lb-ft) of torque at 3,500 rpm.

This completely transformed the Toyota MR2’s behavior, with Autocar magazine noting in a 2004 review of a pre-production prototype that the upgrade “does wonders for the MR2’s straight-line performance”. The TTE Turbo kit shaved one second off the standard car’s 0-100 km/h time and extended the top speed to 233 km/h (145 mph).

Finding a Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo is not easy nowadays, as only 300 such kits are said to have been officially sold. Still, there is a 2001 model available in Russia’s Krasnodar region and it costs 1,250,000 rubles – the equivalent of around $16,150. It has 63,000 km (39,146 miles) on the odometer and it appears to be in really good condition inside and out. Besides the TTE Turbo upgrade, it also features the Monocraft GT300 fiberglass widebody kit which was also an official retrofit option at the time.

Add to that the fact that it comes with the fabric soft top and an optional hardtop and it begins to look like a pretty good deal – especially considering that the owner claims it’s “in excellent technical condition”.

Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat
Rare Toyota MR2 TTE Turbo With 181 HP And Factory Widebody Kit Sounds Like Track Treat