A naturally aspirated V6 engine from Toyota in the middle, a fairly light body and sharp steering is exactly what you get if you buy a Lotus Evora, but it is a bit expensive.
What could you do to get the same basic feel (plus probably better build quality)? Well, you can swap a 3.5-liter engine in the middle of a second-gen MR2, that’s what, and if you do it right you can create a much more serious sports car than it ever was.
The one featured in the TheSmokingTire video below, was built using that formula, and with 268 hp and minimal supporting mods, owner Russ really seems to have created something rather good.
Matt Farah is really impressed by how well it all works and comes together, and it makes you wonder why these swaps aren’t more common. Apparently, they can transform a quick MR2 into a properly fast sports car – this one has 268 hp, but you know how easily that figure can be bumped up if you so desire.