Toyota’s flagship Century sedan is also known as the Japanese Rolls-Royce, so that may make the upcoming Century SUV the Japanese model’s Cullinan.

The Toyota Century SUV’s silhouette was reportedly teased throughout a presentation on the model’s new Alphard and Vellfire folks movers, with a picture printed on Autospy.

There’s a resemblance to Rolls-Royce’s first SUV. Styling is blocky with an upright roofline and what look like outstanding shoulders, whereas there’s a thick, slanted D-pillar – thicker, even, than the Rolls-Royce’s.

The general look, nonetheless, is arguably sleeker than the notably upright Rolls.

We are able to additionally make out the split-level lighting parts entrance and rear, beforehand seen on a spied prototype, which bear a resemblance to Genesis’ lighting.

Spy images have additionally proven the headlights characteristic cube-like inside parts, once more much like Genesis automobiles.

Japanese outlet Finest Automobile Net reported earlier this yr Toyota was engaged on an SUV counterpart for its iconic flagship sedan, which may very well be introduced this yr.

It might merely be known as Century SUV, and gross sales will reportedly start round early 2024.

Finest Automobile Net has printed anticipated dimensions of round 5.2m lengthy and 1950mm vast. The longest LandCruiser 300 Sequence is 5015mm lengthy and 1990mm vast, whereas the Tundra-derived Sequoia supplied in North America is 5286mm lengthy and 2022mm vast.

The outlet studies the ultra-luxury Century SUV will likely be supplied with a 3.5-litre hybrid V6 powertrain and “4WD that drives the rear with an e-axle” (translated), suggesting it’ll use an eFour set-up as with different all-wheel drive Toyota hybrids just like the RAV4.

Just like the RAV4, it’ll use a front-biased all-wheel drive system and a transversely mounted engine, with anticipated outputs of 220kW from the petrol engine and 59kW from every electrical motor.

Toyota at present makes use of a 3.5-litre hybrid V6 solely within the rear-wheel drive Lexus LS500h and LC500h, however such a powertrain has beforehand been used within the entrance/all-wheel drive Lexus RX450h and abroad variations of the Toyota Kluger.

Toyota additionally presents a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 i-Pressure Max hybrid within the Tundra and Sequoia with 326kW of energy, whereas the brand new Lexus TX 550h+ makes use of a 3.5-litre V6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain mated with a CVT and Direct4 all-wheel drive system, with a complete system output of 299kW of energy.

The Century sedan, in distinction, makes use of a 5.0-litre V8 hybrid just like the outdated Lexus LS600h, and is accessible completely with rear-wheel drive. All three generations of the conservative Century have used rear-wheel drive.

Whereas a entrance/all-wheel drive Toyota SUV with Century badging could be a surprising flip of occasions, there’s some precedent.

The newest era of Crown launched not as a standard, three-box sedan with rear-wheel drive, however somewhat as a high-riding fastback with all-wheel drive.

The expanded Crown household will proceed to incorporate a rear-wheel drive sedan transferring ahead, whereas additionally gaining a sporty crossover mannequin and, as soon as once more, a wagon variant.

Toyota has additionally utilized the Crown identify to each the Kluger crossover and Vellfire folks mover in China.

Finest Automobile Net expects the Century SUV to be priced round 10-15 million yen (A$109-164,000). For reference, a Century in Japan begins at simply over 20 million yen (A$218,720).

The Century is bought completely within the Japanese market, the place it’s in style with high-level executives and authorities officers in addition to the Emperor of Japan and is produced in restricted volumes.

Supplied solely by means of choose Toyota dealerships, it’s usually completed in black with wool material upholstery.

Century generations are inclined to final a couple of a long time. The primary Century, which used a V8 engine, was bought from 1967 to 1997 and the second, which upgraded to a V12, was bought from 1997 to 2017.

A Century SUV wouldn’t be the one time an automaker has leveraged a longtime passenger automobile nameplate for an SUV, with the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the rumoured, upcoming Corvette SUV being different examples.

Producers lengthy identified for less than providing sports activities vehicles have additionally ventured into the SUV market, together with Ferrari, whereas stalwart luxurious manufacturers like Bentley and Rolls-Royce have additionally developed SUVs.