Toyota is understood for a couple of issues, however convertibles aren’t one among them. Hence, why, the web was fairly amused to see the corporate slice the roof off its two most luxurious automobiles: The Toyota Century, and the Toyota Crown.

Last yr, the automaker launched the SUV version of the Century, in direct rivalry with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. In the method, a convertible model of the high-end behemoth was briefly proven. In January of this yr in Tokyo, the convertible Century SUV was lastly unveiled at a world premiere at Kokugikan stadium.

Seeing such a big four-door automobile disrobed from its roof is an uncommon sight, to say the least, and we’re not fairly certain what to assume. Nonetheless, the convertible has the benefit of being distinctive in its personal proper, which is sensible for a one-off automobile. Similarly, the Crown was additionally changed into a convertible. Although we have now grown accustomed to seeing it in several varieties (such as an FCEV), it’s nonetheless a sight to behold. Both variations are one-off fashions that had been particularly crafted to haul round Sumo wrestlers on the request of the Japan Sumo Association.

In order to provide the latest and correct info attainable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Toyota, and X (previously referred to as Twitter).

The Century Convertible: A Chariot For The Champions

The thought of a Convertible Century SUV got here on the request of Grand Sumo Champion Hakuhō Shō, identified for being the longest serving Yokozuna of all time, and his record-breaking 1093 top-division wins. This translated right into a 5-600-pound SUV being parted from roof, and disadvantaged of its B- and C-pillars, which, for higher or worse, makes for fairly a placing design alternative.

The Century Convertible, A Sumo’s Favorite Ride

Toyota Chairman, Akio Toyoda, who was current on the occasion, defined that he had steered a Toyota Crown convertible for champions to undertake their parade lap, which is a extra customary alternative. However, Sumo legend Hakuhō Shō was of a special thoughts, and insisted on a “Century’ as an alternative, resulting from its superior high-end attraction.

As a end result, this yr’s first Grand Sumo Tournament winner might be paraded in a convertible Century SUV, for the primary and, presumably solely, time in historical past. All in all, the white paint appears to completely match the styling of the automobile. The multi-spoke wheels, and cream-leather inside additional intensify the aura of opulence that was meant to be conveyed.

To accommodate the additional weight of the +300 pound Sumo Champion, the suspension springs had been fortified, whereas the rear bench was lifted to additional valorize the victor of the 15-day occasion, and likewise facilitate the customary waving course of.

The Crown Convertible: Yet Another Mutation!

The convertible (or crownless?) Crown shares DNA with the Toyota RAV4 and the Camry, because it was constructed on the identical TNGA-Okay platform. Much just like the convertible Century, the topless Crown is a one-and-done automobile, particularly constructed for the Grand Championship’s victory parade.

The Crown Was Finely Tuned For The Parades

The Crown was subjected to fairly a couple of alterations earlier than taking this type. For one, the pillars from A via to D had been eliminated, and developed in a saloon-style boot to exchange the unique tailgate. The rear passenger flooring was additionally raised by one inch and a half to accommodate the parading functions, however that’s not it. Most of the elements had been designed via a 3D printer. Some components, alternatively, required guide welding.

The end result: an all-around imposing determine, with a modern, but aggressive entrance fascia. complemented by a bronze/black paint combo that exudes status. The inside is upholstered in giant leather-based seats, and appears as suave as you’ll anticipate. The entrance seat headrests boast a singular inward-facing design, to maximise consolation and make for clean crusing amid the waves of cheering followers and keen paparazzi.

Toyota hasn’t divulged any particulars on the powertrain, so it stays to be seen if this particular version will preserve the two.5-liter inline-four engine and twin electrical motor set-up that is present on the regular model. The latter churns out 232 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque via the mediation of an all-wheel drive system.

The Regular Century And The Crown Are Available As Hybrid Vehicles

Last yr, the Century was reincarnated as an SUV with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine hybrid setup, pinned on Toyota’s TNGA platform. The company only plans to build 30 units a month, with a beginning value of 25,000,000 JPY (which equates to just about $167,500 at as we speak’s alternate charges.)

Inside, a big infotainment display screen dominates the huge and imposing dashboard, together with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The cockpit provides off a standard aura of luxurious, harking back to the high-end chariots of outdated. The solely caveat is that the Century SUV solely has 4 seats, which is sure to negatively affect a couple of enterprise conferences.

• Privacy curtains
• 7-inch touchscreen management panel
• 75-degree rear doorways
• Electric Side steps
• 11.6-inch rear seat leisure system

2024 Toyota Century SUV Dimensions

(Figures sourced from Toyota)

The 2024 Toyota Crown: A Hybrid Setup And A New Look

The 2024 Toyota Crown begins at $40,350, and is split into the next trims:

• XLE
• Limited
• Platinum

2024 Toyota Crown Pricing

(Prices sourced from Toyota)

All three variants are powered by a hybrid setup. The XLE and Limited churn out 236 horsepower, via the mediation of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a tri-motor setup. The $54,465 top-of-the-line Platinum alternatively will get preferential therapy with a brand new Hybrid Max Setup. The latter presents 340 horsepower by way of a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder, coupled with a rear electrical motor. These superior specs give the Platinum trim a bit of additional pep in its step, permitting it to dash from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.

2024 Toyota Crown Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from Toyota)

Toyota And Convertibles: A Love/Hate Relationship

These Crown and Century convertibles aren’t the primary eccentric endeavor to be carried out by Toyota. Over the many years, the pioneering automaker has not shied away from being adventurous and experimenting with a vast array of vehicles.

In 2019, Toyota honed a one-off Toyota Century Convertible for the coronation of Japan’s new Emperor. At the time, the Century was in its third kind in over 50 years and nonetheless harbored a sedan body. All in all, the occasion was full of significance. For one, the outgoing Emperor, Emperor Akihito, turned the primary Japanese royal to abdicate his proper to the throne in 200 years, successfully marking an finish to the Heisei Era.

The 2000GT Convertible: A James Bond Exclusive

The Toyota 2000 GT was a rare coupe, designed in a three way partnership with Yamaha, that solely noticed 351 items bought from 1967 and 1970. What’s even rarer is its convertible model. The latter is probably probably the most well-known topless Toyota ever made and is notably identified for being the starlet of the film You Only Live Twice (1967), starring Sean Connery as James Bond. The rumor is that the corporate needed to take away the highest on this one to accommodate the Scottish actor’s 6’2 body. The end result was an iconic piece that has by no means been duplicated ever since.

Toyota Never Really Entered The Roofless Market

Digging deeper via the archives, we additionally discover the Toyota FXS, a two-seater roadster launched in 2001 as a one-off idea automobile. Being flashy to the core, its very acronym stands for Future eXperimental Sports. To again it up, the FXS was powered by a 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V-8.

Although the FXS was by no means examined, the showroom specs indicated 278 horsepower and 419 pound-feet of torque, which translated right into a 0-62 mph time of 6.4 seconds for its an identical twin, the SC430. Although the FXS is among the least identified idea fashions on the market, it’s undoubtedly top-of-the-line “what-could-have-been” automobiles ever made. The modern Batmobile-esque design, together with the flashy numbers below the pores and skin, may have simply turned it into an trade icon. Alas, Toyota by no means actually adopted via.

As far as production-model convertibles go, the corporate hasn’t had a whole lot of success. From 2000 to 2006, the corporate tried to push the Toyota MR2, an amicable-looking roadster powered by a 1.8-liter engine, with the intent of rivaling the Lotus Elise.

A lesser-known convertible is the Toyota Paseo, whose try and seduce the American market’s urge for food for convertibles fell brief resulting from its restricted 93 horsepower output, resulting in a puny 2,700 gross sales. All in all, it would not seem to be Toyota plans on deviating from its common modus operandi, and it is unlikely to provide us a brand new manufacturing Roadster anytime quickly.