About a year ago, Toyota introduced the high-riding Century SUV, adorned with its most prestigious badge. Upon its debut, we spotted a unique Gazoo Racing-badged version featuring minivan-style sliding rear doors. This model was a one-off GRMN creation. However, its exclusivity may be short-lived.
During a visit to China to meet with Century SUV owners, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda revealed that only one GRMN-spec model exists, which he is privileged to own. This mirrors the situation with the previous Century GRMN sedan. The SUV, unlike its sedan counterpart, is slated for production to allow a wider global audience to experience it.
Built on the TNGA platform, the standard Century SUV features a plug-in hybrid V-6 engine delivering 406 hp. It remains uncertain if the Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nürburgring variant will adopt a V-8 engine, similar to the previous-generation Century sedan, which was the only Toyota ever offered with a V-12.
Expectations are high for the GRMN variant of the Century SUV, given Akio Toyoda's description of it as a full-fat GRMN. While Toyota's GR Sport models typically receive cosmetic and minor suspension upgrades, the GR and GRMN series offer more substantial enhancements, exemplified by models like the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.
GRMN models have historically been rare and predominantly exclusive to the Japanese market, produced in limited numbers. An interesting example is the GRMN version of the iQ, a small city car that inspired Aston Martin's Cygnet. The GRMN Yaris has been available in Europe, and the forthcoming GRMN Supra is expected to have a broader reach.
Currently, the Century SUV is available only in Japan and China. Toyota has indicated a desire to develop a high-performance SUV, although it's unclear if this refers to the Century SUV, given its luxury and niche market positioning. Regardless, Toyota seems ready to apply the GRMN badge to an SUV, joining the ranks of other performance-oriented utility vehicles from competitors like AMG, M, and RS.
