Toyota on Saturday unveiled a convertible model of its new Century SUV.
Do not search for it in showrooms, although. The automobile is strictly a one-off construct to haul round sumo wrestlers, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
It was constructed for the Japan Sumo Affiliation, which celebrates its centennial subsequent 12 months, and was requested by retired wrestler Hakuhō Shō, an in depth buddy of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda. The reveal passed off at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan, the place the winner of the 12 months’s first Grand Sumo Event will probably be paraded within the automobile.
“I’m grateful that the Century was chosen because the automobile that solely the champion can experience in,” Toyoda stated.
Toyota usually provides automobiles based mostly on its Crown for the parade however wished to ship a extra prestigious automobile this 12 months. Along with the lacking roof, different modifications made to the Century SUV included strengthened suspension springs to deal with the additional weight of any sumo wrestlers filling the seats. The rear bench was additionally raised.
Toyota has constructed convertible variations of its Century sedan prior to now. The final was revealed in 2019. The automobiles are usually utilized by Japan’s emperor.
The Century SUV made its debut final fall. It is the primary SUV to hold the Century nameplate, and at present it is solely on sale in Japan. Availability in different markets hasn’t been introduced, although there are rumors the SUV will probably be extra extensively out there than the sedan, which was solely offered in a handful of markets. The only powertrain on provide is a plug-in hybrid system with a 3.5-liter V-6, with drive routed to all 4 wheels.