Toyota is known for making reliable and affordable cars, but did you know that it also has a super-exclusive luxury brand that rivals the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley? Meet the Toyota Century, a nameplate that has been around since 1967 and is reserved for the most elite customers in Japan. The Century is the official state car of the Japanese emperor, as well as many government officials and business tycoons. It is hand-built by master craftsmen, and only a few hundred units are sold each year.
The Century is not just a car, it is a symbol of status and prestige. It is also a showcase of Toyota’s engineering and design prowess, as it features a hybrid V-12 engine, a lavish interior, and a host of advanced technologies. The Century is so exclusive that it is not sold outside Japan, and even within Japan, it is rarely seen on the roads.
Toyota has decided to expand the Century lineup with a new model: the Century SUV. This is the first time that Toyota has made an SUV under the Century brand, and it is also the most expensive and luxurious SUV ever made by a Japanese automaker. The Century SUV was revealed at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show, and it is expected to go on sale in Japan in 2024.
The Century SUV is based on the same platform as the Lexus LX, but it has a completely different exterior and interior design. The Century SUV has a distinctive grille with a large Toyota emblem, flanked by LED headlights and chrome accents. The body is sleek and elegant, with a long hood, a sloping roofline, and a short rear overhang. The Century SUV has a wheelbase of 112.2 inches, a length of 200.4 inches, a width of 78.0 inches, and a height of 75.6 inches. It rides on 22-inch alloy wheels with a special Century logo.
The interior of the Century SUV is where the magic happens. The cabin is spacious and luxurious, with leather seats, wood trim, and ambient lighting. The front seats are heated, ventilated, and massaging, and they have a memory function and a power-adjustable steering wheel. The dashboard has a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Century SUV also has a head-up display, a wireless charging pad, and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
The rear seats are even more impressive, as they offer a first-class experience for the passengers. The Century SUV has a four-seat configuration, with two individual seats separated by a center console. The rear seats are also heated, ventilated, and massaging, and they have a reclining and ottoman function. The center console has a 9-inch touchscreen that controls the rear entertainment system, which includes a 10.2-inch monitor, a Blu-ray player, and a refrigerator. The rear passengers also have access to a 7-inch tablet that can control various functions of the car, such as the climate, the audio, and the sunroof. The Century SUV also has a rear privacy glass, a rear sunshade, and a rear vanity mirror.
The Century SUV is powered by a hybrid system that combines a 5.0-liter V-12 engine with two electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The V-12 engine produces 375 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, while the electric motors add another 221 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.
The total system output is 596 horsepower and 597 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Century SUV can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, and it has a top speed of 155 mph. The Century SUV also has a fuel economy rating of 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, and it can travel up to 31 miles on electric power alone.
The Century SUV is not only powerful and luxurious, but also safe and smart. It comes with a suite of driver-assist features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a 360-degree camera. The Century SUV also has a self-parking system, a night vision system, and a rear-seat reminder system.
The Century SUV is the ultimate luxury SUV from Japan, and it is expected to cost around $250,000. However, it is unlikely that it will be available in the U.S., as Toyota has no plans to export the Century brand outside Japan. The Century SUV is a rare and exclusive vehicle that only a few lucky and wealthy people will get to own and enjoy.
Related posts:
Toyota Creates Ultra-Luxury Century Brand Above Lexus
Toyota Century nameplate spawns ultra-luxury SUV – Motor Authority
New Toyota Century SUV Is Profoundly Weird (in a Cool Way) – MotorTrend
