Toyota launches Ponam-31 flybridge in Japan
Motorboat & Yachting:The Ponam-31 continues the Japanese car giant’s flirtation with the marine sector. Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has released the latest flybridge model in its Ponam range of motorboats, which stretches back to the late 1990s.
Released earlier this month (10 October), the Ponam-31 is a flybridge model that Toyota describes as a Sports Utility Cruiser, since it is powered by a pair of the three-litre 257bhp engines used in the company’s Land Cruiser Prado Sports Utility Vehicle.
Priced at 27.9 million Yen (just over £160,000), the Ponam-31 is likely to be a big seller in Japan, with Toyota’s 49-strong local dealer network expected to shift 15 units per year. The 34ft aluminium-alloy hull is the basis for a flybridge model with a single central passage and a variety of layout options, accommodating up to 12.
On the outside, the automotive-style rear spoiler is a subtle nod to its maker’s day job. Optional extras include Toyota Drive Assist and the Toyota Virtual Anchor System, which helps skippers keep a straight heading.
