What happens when Zagato gets its hands on an MR2

Colin
By Colin Wood
Oct 1, 2021 | Toyota, MR2, Zagato, MR-S

Photography Courtesy Bingo Auction Company

No, this isn’t an oddball kit car based on the Toyota MR2, it’s actually a Toyota VM180 Zagato–yes, that Zagato that gave us the Alfa Romeo SZ, Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato and many more striking automotive designs.

Sold exclusively in Japan and only at Toyota's "Vista" dealerships, only 100 examples were ever built.

Mechanically similar to the MR2–well, MR-S, in this case–this example shows 40,070 kilometers (about 24,898 miles) and comes equipped with the five-speed sequential transmission.

This one is getting ready to go up for auction over in Japan, and, while it technically isn’t road-legal in the United States yet, you’ll only have to wait about five years before it does become legal to import.

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Comments
jkstill
jkstill New Reader
9/30/21 10:20 a.m.

why does this remind me of a Buick Reatta?

gearheadE30
gearheadE30 Dork
9/30/21 10:25 a.m.

Sequential transmission? interesting.

I don't think it's an improvement over the MR-S, but I can't tell how much of it is those wheels....almost everything I dislike in wheel designs.

Jerry
Jerry PowerDork
9/30/21 10:28 a.m.

Never been a fan of the 3rd gen, love the 1st and 2nd.  This doesn't change anything.

NickD
NickD MegaDork
9/30/21 10:34 a.m.
Jerry said:

Never been a fan of the 3rd gen, love the 1st and 2nd.  This doesn't change anything.

Meanwhile, I love the third-gen, and strongly dislike this thing.

Tom1200
Tom1200 UltraDork
9/30/21 10:55 a.m.

Mmmm the headlights are really unresolved..............it's like the put Jimmy Durante's nose on Brad Pitt's face.

Mustang50
Mustang50 Reader
9/30/21 11:29 a.m.

The new Edsel?

Junghole
Junghole SuperDork
9/30/21 1:08 p.m.

Not an sw20. Zzw30 chassis. 

pointofdeparture
pointofdeparture GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
9/30/21 2:18 p.m.

Title says SW20, body says SW30, but that's a ZZW30 chassis car.

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltimaDork
9/30/21 2:49 p.m.
pointofdeparture said:

Title says SW20, body says SW30, but that's a ZZW30 chassis car.

Or did they get a 3S-GTE in Japan, with whoever thought that more than 140 hp would upset the car's balance getting deservedly ignored there?

dculberson
dculberson MegaDork
9/30/21 2:57 p.m.

I like it. It's got a certain Zagato flair.

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