Toyota may announce a new Century SUV later this year

“Finally, even “”Ferrari”” is an “”SUV””! The origin of “”Super Luxury SUV”” is Toyota’s “”RAV4″”? What was the turning point in the spread of luxury SUVs?

Is the origin of the “”ultra-luxury SUV”” the Toyota “”RAV4″”?
　On September 13, 2022, Ferrari unveiled its new “”SUV”” model “”Prosangue”” for the first time in the world, and it became a topic of conversation.

No way, a Ferrari SUV! See the unveiled “”Purosangue”” in 74 photos.

SUVs”” with a high minimum ground clearance were initially called “”jeep-type passenger cars,”” but after various turning points, they are now becoming a mainstream genre for various manufacturers, and even luxury car makers that did not sell SUVs before are now offering SUVs in their lineups.

　So what kind of cars have triggered the spread of “”luxury SUVs””?

Ferrari’s SUV “”Purosangue”” finally makes its debut

　The term “”SUV”” first became popular in the United States in the 1960s. At the time, it was a two-box vehicle consisting of a pickup truck bed and a shell (roofed cabin space).

　The shell and body were later integrated into a single unit, and the SUV took on a form similar to today’s SUVs.

　Among Japanese vehicles, the “”Hilux Surf,”” created by Toyota in 1984 based on the “”Hilux”” pickup truck, was the first of a boom of RVs (recreational vehicles) at that time and gained popularity.

　On the other hand, the so-called “”cross-country vehicle (XC)”” model, a full-fledged four-wheel drive vehicle originating from military jeeps, was also gaining support as an RV.

　Mitsubishi’s Pajero and Toyota’s Land Cruiser series are typical examples.

　Both of these RVs have a sturdy ladder-frame chassis, tough construction for rough roads, and a full-fledged four-wheel drive system.

　On the other hand, they were not as comfortable to drive or maneuver as sedans or hatchbacks, and they were not as efficient in terms of performance and fuel economy.

　The Toyota RAV4, launched in 1994, changed this trend.

Based on the engine and platform of the front-wheel drive, transversely mounted engine layout FF sedan “”Corona/Carina,”” the RAV4 had a sleek, rounded, cross-country style body, creating a new genre of “”light XC”” vehicles.

　The RAV4 was a full-time 4WD vehicle, which was becoming popular among passenger cars at the time, that could be driven over rough roads, while at the same time offering style, ride comfort, and handling stability that suited the urban landscape, as well as the same dynamic performance and fuel economy as passenger cars. It created a new genre of vehicle.

　After the success of the RAV4, Toyota launched the first generation Harrier in 1997.

　The Harrier was based on the Camry, a high-end FWD sedan.

　It was sold in North America as the Lexus RX, Toyota’s luxury brand, and was characterized by its high-end tailoring both inside and out.

　It was finished with an urban image that could no longer even be called a light XC, and at a time when the terms SUV and crossover did not exist, it was classified as an RV, but created a unique new image of a luxury vehicle.

　Thus, the first-generation Harrier, which was recognized as the “”luxury passenger car of the new era,”” was described as “”an RV you could drive into the entrance of a hotel”” and “”an RV that doesn’t smell like dirt.

　It had a relatively lightweight monocoque body and passenger car-like suspension, and was powered by a 3-liter V-6 engine with a maximum output of 220 hp, giving it the same performance as a passenger car.

　The market’s acceptance of the concept of a vehicle that could be driven without having to endure the driving experience just because it was an RV was perhaps the “”turning point in history”” from the cross-country vehicle to the SUV of today.

　As a pioneer in the luxury SUV market, the Harrier/RX would establish an unshakable position by further sharpening its performance as a passenger car, including the addition of a hybrid version in the next second-generation model.

Finally, even “”Ferrari”” is an SUV! The origin of the “”ultra-luxury SUV”” is the Toyota “”RAV4″”? What was the turning point in the spread of luxury SUVs?

The trend of urban SUVs has shifted from domestic manufacturers to import car makers
　Many foreign manufacturers initially appeared to have a cold view of the Harrier.

　However, in the early 2000s, with BMW at the forefront, sports car makers and even ultra-luxury car makers began to develop their own SUVs.

Early 2000s BMW “”X5″” appears on the market.

　In 2000, BMW created the X5 based on the 5 Series, which had been available as a sedan and wagon, targeting the North American market, where SUVs were very popular.

　It was a 4WD model based on rear-wheel drive, with a raised ground clearance to give it an eclectic body style between a cross-country vehicle and a station wagon, and was equipped with a 4.4-liter V8 engine, which was classified as one of the top 5 Series models.

　Although the X5’s rear-wheel drive base and front mask that resembled that of the sedan 5 Series gave it a sense of BMW’s tradition of emphasizing driving, at the time it was still seen in Europe and Japan as a sub-par model.

　However, in the North American market, which had a huge market for SUVs, it was immediately accepted and became a hit.

　In 2002, VW and Porsche jointly developed the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne.

　The Touareg was available with a 3.2-liter V-6 or 4.2-liter V-8 engine, and a high-power model with a W-12 engine was also available, although in limited numbers.

　The Cayenne was equipped with a V-8 engine for the first time since the Porsche 928, and a higher-end model with a turbocharger and 450 horsepower was also available.

　Aside from the Touareg, it was a shocking development at the time for Porsche, which was thought to be a manufacturer specializing in sports cars, to offer an SUV.

　The Cayenne’s styling was a combination of a front mask reminiscent of the Porsche 911 of the time and a five-door station wagon body.

　The Cayenne, with its high-performance engine that rivaled sports cars, high ground clearance, high body height, and stable performance even at high speeds, established a new image of the all-weather passenger car.

　The sister model of the Touareg and the Cayenne was also offered by Audi and called the Q7.

　It is the original model of the Q series, which continues to this day.

Finally, even Ferrari has a “”SUV””! The origin of the “”ultra-luxury SUV”” is the Toyota “”RAV4″”? What was the turning point in the spread of luxury SUVs?

SUVs, which have expanded into the realm of sports cars, are further expanding and becoming “”super-luxury
　SUVs, which have expanded into the sports car realm with the Cayenne, are now expanding further into the ultra-luxury and supercar genres.

Bentley’s Bentayga SUV in 2016

　In 2016, Bentley will launch the Bentayga.

　Featuring Bentley’s identity round four-light headlights, radiator grille, and large overhanging rear fenders, the Bentayga combines Bentley’s sedan model character with a five-door station wagon body and high ground clearance, giving it a unique appeal.

　Furthermore, in the same year, Jaguar launched the F-PACE. This model is characterized by an imposing radiator grille that is generally shared with the sedan models of the same period, the XJ and XF, and a combination of thin headlights.

　By 2018, Lamborghini will enter the SUV market with the debut of the Urus.

　It is characterized by a sharp, Lamborghini-like shape and coupe-like styling, with a low overall height and a gently sloping roof toward the rear of the body.

　In the same year, Rolls-Royce launched the Cullinan. It features a front grille and headlights common to sedan models, combined with a boxy body style, giving it a classic passenger car image.

　In 2019, Aston Martin will launch the DBX.

　It is characterized by its unique curves and powerful underbody combined with a greenhouse that looks relatively small.

　In this way, each company has established SUVs that are unique to their respective manufacturers while utilizing their own traditional styles, which has been the trend since 2015.

　As of 2022, many manufacturers have luxury, high-priced SUVs in their lineups.

　Instead of the usual 2-box shape SUVs, different styles have appeared, such as coupe and sedan styles with a gently angled C-pillar.

　The Crown Crossover, announced on September 1, 2022, is a crossover style between sedan and SUV, with the rear glass and trunk connected more gently than the old model, and with a separate trunk that looks like a hatchback model but has an independent trunk.

　Finally, on September 13, 2022, the first SUV in Ferrari’s history, the Prosangue, was unveiled.

　Although Ferrari does not describe this car as an SUV, it is in fact the equivalent of a crossover SUV, with wheel arch moldings, a hatchback body with four doors plus tailgate, and a ground height that is low for an SUV and high for a Ferrari.

　It is clear that SUVs, which had only needed to increase the ground clearance and overall height of passenger car models, have finally entered an era of differentiation through the creation of fine details.

　The SUV boom is likely to continue, but we cannot take our eyes off the trends in the automotive industry to see what kind of changes will take place in the future.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)”