It is not often I get the opportunity to come across a car I never knew existed. I was browsing Japanese cars that could be imported, as one does, even though I have no space to obtain one at the moment, and came across a thumbnail of a car I did not recognize. Opening the full size photo, it became obvious that it was a version of the Toyota MRS (what the MR2 Spyder was called Japan). But this is no aftermarket body kit, but an official Zagato.
So what exactly is this oddball Toyota? Released in 2001, Toyota showed off a very heavily massaged body designed by Zagato in Italy for their Toyota MR2 / MRS sports car. The center section was retained, including the windshield and top, but everything else was revamped. The hardtop (not on this example) featured the famous Zagato bubble top. The cars were built by Toyota Modellista International and sold by Toyota Vista dealers.
To remind you, this is what the stock third generation Toyota MR2 / MRS looks like. This generation was sold from 1999 to 2007, and was met with mixed reception when new. The first generation (1984-1989) was distinctively wedge like and could be optioned with a supercharger. The second generation (1989-1999) gave off mini Ferrari vibes and could be had with a powerful turbocharged engine. The third generation, code named W30, landed with a milquetoast 138 hp 1.8 liter 1ZZ-FE four cylinder sourced from the base Celica and less dramatic looks. And no performance engine option was ever offered. It was very light weight at 2,195 lbs or 996 kg.
The rear view is amazing, with a tail light surround that appears to be sourced from a much larger car. It cannot be missed however. The body panels were made from fibreglass reinforced plastic and added approximately 110lbs or 55kg to the standard car.
The side view highlights some interesting side scallops as well as an extended front overhang.
These Zagatos were only sold Japan, so they are all right hand drive. The interior was generally pretty stock but had some Zagato badges and a two tone look. Happily this one appears to be the five speed manual transmission rather than the less reliable SMT automated manual gearbox. Either gearbox was available on the VM180.
The seats carried on the two tone look.
So the MR2/MRS did not have any stock performance upgrades … except this one. The engineers hopped up the stock motor to a useful 155 hp. Why they did not swap in the 180-hp 2ZZ-GE from the higher performance Celica is unknown. Many owners of the MR2 did that exact swap to increase the performance.
While only a small number of these were made, the VM180s seem to occasionally show up on the classified sites in Japan. Toyota claimed they were going to produce 100 of them, with some claims of 200 being made; regardless it likely makes them MR2’s most rare variant. It could also be the most affordable way to have a genuine Zagato, as this one was priced at approximate $25k USD.
Pontiac Solstice?
After all, the Pontiac Vibe was just a badge modification of the Toyota Matrix / Corolla.
Looks like the offspring of an MR2 and a Vampire bat. I would like to see how it looks with the bubble top.
It likely takes the honors of the lowest maintenance Zagato anything and reminds quite a bit of the Qvale Mangusta (a Gandini design) which is comparitively abundant with a claimed 284 made.
I came across one of these VM180s in 2019 at (where else) the Tojyo Motor Show in the basement where there were various suppliers/vendors and this one was in the midst of being “decorated”, I have no idea what the vendor was actually in the business of selling (it wasn’t paint or anything related to this car) but the painted motif would have probably fit in perfectly on a battered Toyota Echo (or perhaps a certain Scion xB?) on the streets of Eugene.
That is definitely an interesting choice of decoration. The paint is presumably washable after whatever event that was. As a bonus it seems to have the Lightning McQueen style windshield eyes.
Not Zagato’s best work.. but I do find the front view interesting.
The rear on the other hand is marred by the over sized tail lights and their frame, which would stick out even more on cars painted other than grey
Better looking than the original, which is not always a given with Zagato designs.
A few years ago I learned that the hydraulic pump (HPU) in the Spyder SMT module is the same as that used in the Carlisle Hydrastar trailer brake actuator. Both are nearly impossible to find parts for. One person made up a seal kit for the Spyder HPU, and had at least the motor shaft seal custom made. Before I learned that, I had put in countless hours of research into my Hydrastar and was able to get that seal from Parker through my sources at work. It was over $40 for one seal.