There have been many, random and strange over the years, and the partnership between Toyota and Zagato is just such an example. The world-class automaker and Italian design house came together in the ’00s to create a truly meh vehicle; the Toyota Harrier Zagato By the mid 2000s, what we know as the Lexus RX was also called the Toyota Harrier in Japan. By 2006, it was on its second generation and sold through one of the brand’s retail chains known as Toyopet.
In 2006, Toyopet was celebrating its 50th anniversary and, wanting to do something special, Toyota approached Italian coach builder Zagato about a special edition. The two signed a deal and the result was the 2006 Harrier Zagato. We are used to seeing Zagato work on bespoke, high-end stuff like Aston Martins, Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
While those designs are usually cohesive and beautiful, the Harrier Zagato comes off a bit...
rough. Up front, the facia gained an open grille with no badge, bigger front bumper and a lower lip spoiler with fog lights. On the sides, the Harrier gained fender flares, and lower body cladding while the rear gained a roof spoiler and a slightly different rear bumper.
Gold five-spoke wheels rounded out the changes. Aside from some aluminum trim, the interior was stock. Those hoping that for more power might have been letdown as the modifications were purely cosmetic.
Power for the Harrier Zagato came from either a 2.4-liter I4 or a 3.5-liter V6, both standard Harrier engines.
Buyers could pai.