1999. 10 : Toyota announced the release of the MR-S in Japan. The mid-ship engine open sports car MR-S is powered by a L-4 DOHC 1.8-liter engine with VVT-i variable-valve timing system that delivers a power output of 140 horsepower. The MR-S comes with a 5 speed manual transmission and is available with a newly developed 5 speed sequential manual transmission. The 5 speed sequential manual transmission with steering wheel-mounted shift buttons, used for racing cars, offers shifting without the using of a clutch pedal.