By Jamie White – Head of Communications
Toyota is aiming to make a splash with the launch of a new high-performance boat.
Alongside the millions of cars its makes, the company also makes a range of products including robots and sewing machines, and has expanded into industries as diverse as prefabricated housing to telecommunications to forestry.
Now, it has launched the latest model to its Ponam boat range, the Ponam-31.
Just as the Toyota RAV4 launched a new class of car called the SUV (sports utility vehicle), the Toyota Ponam-31 belongs to a new class of boat, the sports utility cruiser. It means it’s a high-performance boat with comfortable accommodation for up to 12 people, suitable for fishing expeditions and cruising.
It is made from a 31-ft high-strength aluminium hull and is powered by two, 3.0-litre direct-injection diesel engines derived from the Land Cruiser Prado. The engines feature optimised turbochargers, intercoolers and fuel injectors which help ensure that emissions, noise and vibrations are minimised.
The boat reflects Toyota’s years of experience of incorporating complex curved surfaces into vehicle design and presents a solid and elegant form. Even the rear deck rail evokes the look of a car spoiler.
Then open-plan fly-bridge above the cabin offers excellent visibility. The cabin creates a relaxing and expansive interior space, while fittings such as a sofa and counter can be laid out in various arrangements to enhance both comfort and convenience.
Optional extras include systems adapted from Toyota’s automotive technologies, such as Toyota Drive Assist (a pilot support system) and Toyota Virtual Anchor System, which is an automatic piloting control system that holds the boat in position or maintains the heading of the bow.
Ponam-31 is on sale in Japan for around £170,000.
Mystery Shopping and Performance Improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides Toyota with a tailored and bespoke nationwide mystery shopping programmes to include Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping.
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