Toyota uses LandCruiser to make innovative sports cruiser

Toyota has launched a new premium sports cruiser called the Ponam-28V that introduces a number of breakthrough technologies to the pleasure-boat market. These include an auto-derived Toyota Virtual Anchor System (TVAS) touted as the world’s first station-holding pilot for a single-shaft boat.

Another first, the Toyota Hybrid Hull is a vacuum-infused design fashioned from fibreglass, aluminium, and carbon fibre for around seven times the rigidity of a standard FRP hull, while weighing roughly 10 per cent less than a similarly-sized aluminium hull, Toyota claims.

Power comes in the form by a single 260hp 3.0-litre inline four-cylinder direct-injection Yanmar diesel engine derived from the LandCruiser Prado, coupled with a duoprop and sterndrive. The compact common-rail diesel donk appears to reside in a low-profile engine box in the cockpit.

Toyota's revolutionary TVAS piloting system utilises automotive-derived control technologies, a bow thruster and main engine thrust to hold station and maintain heading when trolling much like an autopilot.

At speed, the Toyota Hybrid Hull is said to derive excellent performance from the LandCruiser-derived 260hp Yanmar engine and the reduced drag of an especially slippery hull design with "enhanced sea-kindliness, turning ability and little shock and vibration."

The vacuum-infused composite grp/foam/carbon fibre/aluminium lay-up allows complex curved shapes to be formed in the hull, leading to improved manoeuvrability, Toyota says, and also the possibility of large-scale production.

Developed and manufacturered in conjunction with Yanmar, the new Ponam-28V is a derivation of the Toyota-28 Concept that was displayed at the 2016 Japan International Boat Show and which subsequently collected a Good Design Award.

But here’s the rub...

Despite its innovation and good looks, the new Toyota Ponam-28V sports will be sold through a network of 50 companies in Japan and the annual sales target is just 24 units annually. Retail in Japan will be from about $260k and up to $317k in Australian dollars for the luxury model.

Given what Toyota and Yanmar have achieved here, and the boat’s appealing cabin cruiser design, you’d think the global auto giant would have tickets on world domination.

The new 28-foot long Ponam-28V adds to Toyota's boat range including a 35-foot long Ponam-35 and the 31-foot long Ponam-31.

Toyota says it will continue to promote its marine business by developing attractive products that are designed to provide rewarding leisure time activities and to support a fulfilling lifestyle.

In case you're wondering, the Ponam name is derived from Te Waipounamu, a Maori name for New Zealand's South Island. The new boat looks to travel really nicely in the pics and would work in southern latitudes for sure.

At-a-Glance: Toyota Ponam-28V
LOA: 9.14m
Beam: 3.16m
Displacement: 3640kg
Engine: Yanmar MIKD-VH 260hp diesel with duoprop
Hull: Toyota Hybrid
Fuel: 330lt
Water: 56lt
People: Up to 12
More at the Japanese-only Toyota Marine site www.toyota.co.jp/marine/.