Toyota Model Codes

ZZW30

The first one or two letters identify the engine family used in the vehicle.  In this case the MR2 Spyder is equipped with the ‘ZZ’ engine design common to Corollas since 1998.  The first generation MR2 utilized the ‘A’ engine family (AW11), while the second generation was equipped with the ‘S’ engine family (SW20).

The next letter describes the vehicle model line.  The latest MR2 Spyder (ZZW30) shares its ‘W’ model identifier with the previous designs (AW11 and SW20).  Some other Toyota model lines include:

                T                Celica

                E                Corolla

                P                Starlet

                A                Supra               

The number following the model letter provides the revision level of the vehicle.  The first digit (or two digits in the case of 3 digit revision numbers) indicates the major revision or generation level of the vehicle.  These are often higher that the actual generation level known to the public.  In the case of the MR2 model line, Things line up nicely (AW11, SW20, and ZZW30).  In contrast, the latest Celica model has a major revision number of 23 (ZZT231) but is only the 6^th complete redesign or “generation”.

The last digit is occasionally used for minor revisions such as an engine change.  When Toyota replaced the Japanese market first-generation MR2 (AW10) 1.3L carbuerated engine with the 16-valve DOHC 1.6L 4A-GE engine, the vehicle identity code became AW11.  The latest Celica design is available with a 1ZZ-FE engine in the ‘GT’ model (ZZT230), or a 2ZZ-GE engine in the ‘GT-S’ (ZZT231).