To most folks, the 2000–2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder is best remembered as a lightweight, low-powered roadster in the vein of the Mazda MX-5 Miata – though with better reflexes (and less cargo space) by nature of its mid-engined powertrain layout. But the happy little MR2 was also the home to some sophisticated technology, namely the sequential manual transmission offered from 2002 onward. Like Ferrari’s own F1 transmission, the SMT was basically a proper manual gearbox, but instead of the driver actuating the clutch and physically shifting gears, the MR2 handled all that. Automated manuals may be common in sports cars today, but back then, the shiftless were stuck with slushboxes or nothing, so the SMT was a real innovation.
Â
