Since 1967, Toyota has offered a automobile in Japan much more luxurious than the Lexus LS; it’s Toyota Century. Sold to Japan’s Captains of Industry as a chauffeur-driven sedan, it is going to be joined by the nameplate’s first SUV later this 12 months at a value of about $170,000.
Meanwhile, the Century sedan, sometimes powered by V-12 engines, is now powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 hybrid driveline or as fuel-cell electrical automobile.
Redesigned thrice since its debut, the Century’s design was at all times guided by Shoichiro Toyoda, who launched the automobile to have fun the beginning of Sakichi Toyoda, founding father of Toyota.
A altering luxurious market
But at the same time as manufacturing of the sedan continues, there was a creeping consciousness that the luxurious market was altering. Indeed, in the identical 12 months because the final Century redesign was launched, Rolls-Royce launched its first SUV, the Cullinan.
It was proof that the high-end luxurious market was altering, with automobiles just like the Bentley Bentayga, Cadillac Escalade and Lamborghini Urus reaching patrons that Toyota’s Century was not.
“Akio Toyoda was acutely aware of this,” stated Chief Branding Officer and Head Design Simon Humphries. “He knew that Century had to change.”
And so, it has led to what Humphries has known as, “a Century for a new Century,” an SUV that owes a lot to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan in design.
But it’s not as giant than its many opponents, it could be pretty sizable for navigating Japan’s roads. Measuring 204.9 inches lengthy, 78.3 inches large, and 71 inches tall, it rides on a 116.1-inch wheelbase and weighs 5,666 kilos.
Similar to the upcoming 2024 Lexus TX550+, it’s propelled by a 3.5-liter V-6 plug-in hybrid driveline, with the Century additionally coming geared up with four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.
It’s out there with a brand new Rear Comfort mode, which assists the motive force in easily working the automobile and helps to modulate braking to cut back jolts whereas stopping, to make sure that rear passengers have a snug experience.
Rear seat riders rule the rost
But it is a automobile that caters to its backseat clientele, with doorways that swing open 75 levels, though clients may go for rear sliding doorways, like these in a minivan.
Then there’s the lavish consolation and comfort options you’d anticipate given its price ticket, corresponding to electrochromatic insulated glass, rear-seat leisure screens, fridge, and two absolutely reclining seats. And, as you would possibly anticipate, patrons can customise paint colour, inside finishes and seating configuration.
This is definitely a rarified steed, as Toyota plans to construct a mere 30 a month in Japan.
Meanwhile, executives trace and on-line experiences speculate that the Century is likely to be offered worldwide, though via what channel, Toyota, Lexus, or one thing else stays unclear. When requested about stateside Century gross sales, a Toyota spokesperson would solely say that, “we don’t have anything to announce at this time regarding potential availability in the U.S.”
Read between these strains, and also you might need the reply.
In the meantime Humphries has this to say in regards to the Century.
“During the development of the first Century in the 1960’s, Japan was still a rising economy. Toyota was yet to compete with exotic imported luxury cars. When Shoichiro Toyoda commissioned Century, it was a huge gamble,” he stated.
“Century embodies everything that’s good about Japanese sensibilities, both aesthetically and conceptually.”
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com