Vellfire 2.5 PHEV E-Four (AH40)

STORY

The Vellfire appeared on 12 May 2008 as the Alphard's twin through a different Japanese dealer chain, Netz Store rather than Toyopet Store, and Toyota separated the pair by sheet metal rather than hardware: the Alphard took narrow large headlamps, the Vellfire a stacked two-tier headlamp arrangement and a two-tier LED rear combination lamp with clear lenses. Both got Toyota's first rear wiper stowed inside the roof spoiler, and both used the 3.5-litre 2GR-FE with a six-speed automatic or the 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE with a CVT. The split worked: in the month to 11 June 2008 the Vellfire drew about 20,000 of roughly 36,000 orders against a 3,000-per-month target. The second car of 26 January 2015 brought rear double wishbones and the Executive Lounge grade, and the third of 21 June 2023 gave the Vellfire its own 2.4 turbo and Z Premier trim. Toyota Auto Body builds it at Inabe.