Toyota Crown convertible shown

Toyota has unveiled a roof-less concept based on its premium Crown model – alongside a convertible version of its range-topping Century SUV.

But it seems Toyota isn’t going to put the open-top Crown concept into production, where it would join the sedan, wagon, and SUV variants of the model currently sold in Japan.

To complete the transformation the SUV’s roof was cut at the A-pillars, and had its B-pillars, C-pillars, and D-pillars removed entirely, while keeping the rear seats intact. 

Despite what looks to be a folding roof mechanism behind the rear seats, Toyota has reportedly left the Crown as an open top, in order to retain full use of its boot.

The conversion was reportedly completed in-house by Toyota engineers, and Toyota Vice President Hiroki Nakajima said it was “extremely difficult” to complete.

Unlike the Crown which simply serves as a concept, the open-top Century was built to partake in the victory parade for the Grand Sumo tournament of 2024, at the request of a retired wrestler.

It also has lost its entire roof structure from the A-pillars rearward, and now features a sedan-style boot where the SUV’s tailgate once was. 

The rear seat has been replaced by a raised floor, and a large leather seat allows two Sumo wrestlers to sit on the boot. 

Despite the difference in aesthetics, both vehicles make use of Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, which has previously underpinned vehicles such as the Kluger, RAV4, and Camry.

Toyota is no stranger to creating one-off open-top versions of its vehicles, turning a Century sedan into a convertible for the Japanese Emperor in 2019.

Like the new Century SUV convertible, the sedan version was built for parade purposes and featured a rear seat positioned 4cm higher than the standard car.