Toyota very nearly had its own version of the Ford RS200: a mid-engined, all-wheel-drive rally car called the 222D. Based loosely on the first-generation MR2, the 222D was Toyota’s planned entry for rally competition based on Group S, a new set of regulations that were supposed to take effect in 1987. Unfortunately, the project was canceled after just 10 prototypes were completed, leaving us to wonder what Toyota’s all-wheel-drive MR2 could have accomplished.
The 222D existed somewhat in secrecy for a number of years, but Toyota finally is revealing more information on the car.
Toyota Motorsport Europe began work on the 222D project in 1984, the same year the MR2 went into production, with the goal of eventually producing a World Rally Championship winner. Initially, the 222D used a 1.6-liter four-cylinder to send power to the rear wheels only, but it was later modified to accommodate a 600-hp turbocharged 2.2-liter four and all-wheel drive. According to Toyota, 222D shared running gear with the Celica GT-Four then in progress, which itself made its debut in 1986 and became Toyota’s WRC entrant two years later. In fact, the 222D shared very few mechanical parts with the MR2 on which it was initially based. The bodywork also was modified with big fender flares, fixed front headlights, and tweaked aerodynamic components.
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