You might not have seen it coming, especially with all the SUVs out there. It's a first for Toyota: a true convertible roadster, a ground-hugging, attention-grabbing 2-seater designed for those who'd rather have the wind in their hair than mud on their windshield.

The MR-Spyder is a concept vehicle designed to offer a strong hint to Toyota's future direction in the high performance sports car segment. This concept vehicle is an all-new mid-engine rear-drive sports car.

"The world fell in love with the sports cars of the 50s, because they were light in weight, light on the road and light on the wallet," said Esmond. "The MR-Spyder is true to these essential elements. A two-seat, soft-top roadster distilled to its most basic nature, it is simple, functional and an absolute kick to drive."

Weighing in at only 2,200 pounds, the MR-Spyder rides on a wide, low-slung platform, supported by MacPherson struts at all four corners. It has a wheelbase of 96.5 inches and an overall length of 153 inches.

An all-new 1.8-liter twin cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine powers the Spyder. The engine features VVT-i cylinder head technology, a variable-valve timing system similar to the design currently used in Lexus engines. The engine is rated at 140-hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. Power is applied to the rear wheels through an all-new sequential five-speed manual sport-shift transmission. The transmission features a gear-shift lever on the center console, a push-button/steering wheel-mounted shift mechanism and no clutch pedal.

The Spyder's steering system is a newly developed electric hydraulic power unit designed to save weight, while providing exceptional responsiveness and road feedback.

The Spyder's coachwork features steel panels that are bolted onto a high- rigidity unit-body, allowing for future modification or customization, while making repairs easier and less expensive. There are storage compartments under the front hood and behind the seatbacks. The center cluster console is designed to accommodate audio equipment, or can be removed completely, for additional weight savings. The manually operated convertible soft-top folds completely out of sight, hidden neatly under a hard tonneau cover. "The Toyota MR-Spyder and the recently unveiled Toyota XYR are vehicles designed to immediately impact how consumers think about Toyota products," said Esmond. "They are vehicles that speak the truth to sports car enthusiasts seeking exhilarating performance and bold styling at an affordable price."