by A Farewell Chord for an Automotive Oddity
The Japanese company Mitsuoka, known for its unusual cars, presents the farewell version of one of its most eccentric creations — the Ryugi Final Edition sedan. This model, based on the recently discontinued Toyota Corolla Axio, has been part of Mitsuoka’s lineup since 2014.
Corolla in Historical Garb
The final version retains the retro styling of the original Ryugi, adding a special sticker on the trunk as a nod to its “swan song” status. Buyers are offered only one color — Black Mica. In official photos, the car is presented both with classic wheel covers and with BBS-style alloy wheels, depending on taste.
With a length of 4,510 mm, this car is a moving tribute to British luxury classics of the late 1950s. It combines features of the Jaguar Mark 2, Bentley S-Type, and Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud into a single, somewhat confused, image.
Handcrafted work on the front and rear significantly increased the overhangs, adding round headlights, pill-shaped LED taillights, chrome bumpers, and a vertical radiator grille reminiscent of the Parthenon’s facade.
However, starting from the windshield and beyond, it remains a typical Corolla Axio. The windows, roof, doors, and most of the interior are borrowed from the donor model, although Mitsuoka upholstered the interior in leather to elevate it above the level of a budget sedan.
Technical Component
Technically, the model completely replicates the Toyota on which it is based. The naturally aspirated 1.5-liter gasoline engine develops 102 hp, transmitting power to the front or all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission. A more economical self-charging hybrid version combines a 1.5-liter engine with a single electric motor for those who prefer retro style with lower fuel consumption.
Limited Series
Mitsuoka will produce only 20 units of the Ryugi Final Edition, so interested parties in Japan must act quickly. After production ends, the Ryugi name will continue to exist only within the company’s conversion program, which is based on used Corollas.
The price starts from 3,305,500 yen (approximately $21,300) for the gasoline model and reaches 3,855,500 yen (approximately $24,800) for the hybrid. For comparison, the base Toyota Corolla Axio started from 1,639,600 yen (about $10,600), illustrating how large a premium you pay for the privilege of looking like a 1950s aristocrat on the road.
The Wagon Remains in the Lineup
Although the Final Edition closes the chapter for the sedan, Mitsuoka is not completely abandoning the concept. The Ryugi Wagon Adventure remains on sale for a price starting from 4,389,000 yen (about $28,300).
This model is based on the gasoline-powered Corolla Fielder wagon and overlays the same retro styling onto a crossover-like base, adding roof rails, matte black pillars, disc wheels, all-terrain tires, special colors, and more durable seat covers — in case your British retro fantasy includes light off-road adventures.
The release of the Ryugi Final Edition symbolizes the end of an era for one of the most distinctive, albeit niche, cars on the market. It serves as a vivid example of Mitsuoka’s philosophy, which involves transforming ordinary modern models into cars that evoke nostalgia. Despite the discontinuation of new sedan production, the existence of the wagon and the conversion program indicates that a certain demand for this unusual style persists. It is a reminder that the automotive industry has room not only for mass trends but also for bold experiments that fuel the imagination of car enthusiasts.
