Toyota MR2 Turbo

142 MPHMazda MilleniasWarning: New emissions regulations will radically reduce the permitted interval between engine start-up and the start-"light off"-of catalytic converters. This may cause the already dwindling number of turbocharged engines, with their heat-sucking turbines, to drop even further. Nevertheless, the demand for powerful engines won't subside, so supercharged powerplants similar to that in the Millenia S may take up the slack. The Millenia S features a unique variation of the supercharger, one that makes its 2.3-liter V-6 act a lot bigger than its diminutive displacement indicates. Officially dubbed the Miller Cycle, this powerplant uses a screw-type compressor to pressurize the incoming charge to 28.5 psi, far more than possible with conventional Roots-type blowers. This allows the intake valves to be left open during the first fifth of the piston's upward travel on the compression stroke. The result is a smaller, lighter engine with excellent fuel mileage and impressive torque-enough twisting force to push the Millenia S to 142 mph. The rest of the Millenia matches this wonderful engine; even at top speed it was well-mannered and secure feeling.

144 MPHToyota MR2 TurboThe MR2 Turbo is a potent mid-engine sports car in the tradition of Lotus, Lamborghini, and, dare we say, Ferrari. It offers hard-wired-to-your-brain handling, impressive all-around performance, superb-for-a-sports-car comfort, plus Toyota reliability. If it bore Colin Chapman's stylized initials, a snorting-bull emblem, or a prancing-horse badge rather than Toyota's sombrero-crowned head, its $30,000-plus pricetag would only heighten world-wide adulation. But since it's a Toyota, many potential buyers consider that too steep a tariff, and the MR2 Turbo has become just another excellent player in this golden age of performance cars. Test-track ability aside, however, the MR2 Turbo's steering was a bit too sensitive for ideal 144-mph cruising down the narrow, bumpy test road. Unnecessary steering input wasn't a good idea, and, thankfully, since the road's as straight as a rifle shot, none was required.