- Toyota will introduce a performance version of its Century luxury SUV.
- It will have a GRMN badge like many of Toyota's other performance vehicles.
- Toyota could replace the current Century's hybrid V-6 with a more powerful V-8 engine.
About a year ago, Toyota slapped its most prestigious badge on an SUV, creating the high-riding Century. When the luxobarge debuted, we immediately noticed an interesting Gazoo Racing-badged variant that had minivan-esque sliding rear doors. It was actually a fully fledged GRMN built as a one-off. Well, not for long.
During a trip to China to chat with Century SUV owners, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda said there's only one GRMN-spec out there. He has the privilege of owning it, which is the same we can say about the rad Century GRMN sedan we saw a few years ago. The difference between the two is that the SUV is going into production so "that many people from around the world can ride."
Based on the TNGA platform, the regular Century SUV is offered with a plug-in hybrid V-6 setup making 406 hp. It’s unclear whether the Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nürburgring variant will get a big ol' V-8 like the previous-generation Century sedan offered. The one before it was the only Toyota in history to be offered with a V-12 but we can't imagine it coming back ever again.
We are expecting the hotter Century SUV GRMN to pack a greater punch since Akio Toyoda labeled it a full-fat GRMN. Toyota sells certain cars around the world with GR Sport badging but those are mostly limited to cosmetic tweaks and a minor suspension revision. More substantial upgrades are reserved for the GR cars, such as the GR Yaris and GR Corolla hot hatches. At the top of the food chain, the GRMN models have all the goodies.
GRMN models have been few and far between, with most being exclusive to the Japanese market and built in limited quantities. Fun fact: Toyota once sold a GRMN iteration of the adorable iQ. Yes, that's the tiny city car Aston Martin used to create the Cygnet to bring down its carbon fleet emissions. The GRMN Yaris did make it to Europe, while the upcoming GRMN Supra should be more widely available. Hopefully, its US visa has been approved.
The Century SUV is only sold in Japan and China for now. Toyota has already hinted at doing a high-performance SUV, with GR boss Tomoya Takahashi recently saying it's a necessity. However, he likely wasn't referring to the Century SUV since the opulent vehicle is extremely expensive and targets a niche market.
Either way, it looks as though Toyota isn't afraid to put the GRMN badge on an SUV. After all, why should it? There are plenty of AMG, M, and RS sport utility vehicles out there. As long as we're getting a GRMN Supra, it's all good. While they're at it, a GRMN Corolla wouldn't hurt either.
The GRMN won't be the only special version of the Century SUV since Toyota has already built a convertible to serve as a parade vehicle for the Japan Sumo Association.
2024 Toyota Century SUV
