Before you jump the gun, no, you’re not looking at an old car. This is in fact an all-new, third-generation Toyota Century, a nameplate with considerable regality conceived in 1967. While the second-generation model launched in 1997 came with a V12 engine, this new one gets a downsized 2UR-FSE direct-injection 5.0 litre hybrid V8 – related to the older Lexus LS600h which made 394 hp and 520 Nm of torque – from the Toyota Hybrid System II family.
According to Toyota, the powertrain choice (it’s a rear-wheel drive) gives the Century best-in-class fuel consumption. Toyota has yet to reveal output figures, but what we do know is the electric motors – juiced by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack of undisclosed capacity – features a two-stage reduction device for a smoother and quieter drive. Even the engine mounts, suspension and tyres are specifically designed and tuned to reduce noise and vibration.
In terms of dimensions, its footprint is now larger than before, measuring 5,335 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, 1,505 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 3,090 mm. This dwarfs even the long-wheelbase W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class by 89 mm, 31 mm and nine mm respectively. However, the Sonderklasse’s wheelbase is 75 mm longer at 3,165 mm.
All told, the luxury limousine is larger in every way compared to its predecessor, and it now features Toyota Safety Sense P with collision avoidance support, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and more.
Like it or not, there’s no denying the presence of Toyota’s flagship four-door sedan. It’s designed with Japanese luxury in mind – albeit with a huge retrospective touch, seeing as how closely it resembles the predecessors – to achieve a simple yet modern outlook. The front receives full LED headlamps with Adaptive High Beam System (AHS), LED DRLs in the lower section, a huge front grille with a unique badge and a crown emblem on the hood.
The C-pillars are slightly straightened to match the raised roofline and at the same time accentuate interior space. At the back rests are pair of LED combination taillamps encased in a slim chrome housing with a blacked-out panel in between. The tailgate is neatly finished of with the Century wording.
It’s strictly a four-seater limo (there is no middle seat for the rear bench at all) with two choices of upholstery: a heather-patterned 100% wool (like in the pictures here) that is ultra soft and flexible or a high-end, supple leather wrap. Between the front seats is a display panel for multimedia consumption, above which are twin air vents (the B-pillars also have one on each side) and multiple storage compartments below.
For industry captains there’s a step-less and powered leg rest behind each front seat to go with the powered rear seats with built-in massage function. All this can be controlled via an integrated LCD panel within the rear centre armrest, which enables air-con, audio and seating controls for all seats. Other amenities include a writing table, LED reading lights and 20-speaker premium sound system.
The Toyota Century will be making its world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. The model has always been sold for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), although several units have been exclusively exported for Japanese officials stationed abroad.
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Bashers gonna say its old fashioned design
Besides Century, the Toyota Crown also very luxurious and prestigious. In the 80s, got so many Crowns in Malaysia. It was so cheap, that every other teksi was a Toyota Crown in Malaysia. And that was CBU Crown.
Today, if Crown come in, it will be RM500k in Malaysia
Pity because Japanese price of Crown in 1985 and 2017 only gone up 40%.
The side is clone of Phantom, the front & back is design by 12years old kid.
why u worry lulz
Look at the old moldy fabric seats….eww
Look at that disgusting wood trim design….uhh
Look at the calender….wait it’s 2017 already??
Old world Japanese interpretation of luxury. Definitely different from the west. I could imagine aging, white haired yakuza bosses wafting along inspecting their turfs in one of these…
This car (with Crown) is only affordable for rich old timers there. Their old timers abhors changes and resist anything newish. They luv their old style mansions, their old style cars, and anything from their era. This car was tailored made for them.
Yes this is known as a Yakuza vehicle in Japan. It is said that they park these cars in a row wherever they go to show that the Yakuza has arrived. So everyone stays away. Very impressive show of power.
In nippon, crime becomes legalised companies. The gov benefits from taxes, but the pipu suffers from their unrepentant actions.
either this or Nissan Elgrand 3.5 V6. or Alphard 3.0 V6
nah that’s not old fashioned but a wannabe copycat
rolls royce +Lincoln
A truly old-man car. Should get the design of the year.
BIG MISTAKE for not using V12!
so you gonna order if its using V12? i can do special request for engine swapping. let me know how many units you want, i am from Toyota Hokkaido branch, can take order from you and deliver to you.
The 1GR only did 309hp stock (exclude Smokey Nagata’s 1000hp Zwei-Turboed 1GR Swap in his Supra), 309HP! you can get about the same amount of HP in a USDM V6 Camry, half the cylinder, 2/3 the displacement. The V12 was only ever there because aside from a V8 or a V12 or a I6, is one of the mechanically smooth engine layouts available.
it is married to electric motor, delivered more than 500Nm of torque – very powerful for a luxury sedan (dont compare to super sports like Merc SLR)
My mistake, it’s was the GZ. The 1GZ is the V12 motor, the only production V12 ever to come from Japan, it featured in the previous generation Century, and has around 480NM of torque. Not really earth shattering performance as a 5.0L V12, but probably tuned for refinement.
Ugly is ugly, no matter what engine inside
Well..the V12 in the previous Century only produced 280hp
IMO, this is THE coolest Toyota ever~
They should sack the designer
Toyota Century is Japanese Rolls Royce.
There’s something about the Century presence, or the lack of it, that makes it so special on the streets of Tokyo. Back when I visited Japan, you don’t usually notice a Century by the streets, but when you do, is really does capture your attention.
Personally, the Century represents Stealth Wealth, the opposite of the ‘Look-At-Me-I’am-Rich’ Bentleys and Sonderklasse. But than again, in Malaysia , badge matters, its only a Toyota after all, you’ll still get mocked for driving an uncles car.
1. This is currently the best exterior design from Toyota Motor, better designed than any of the current Toyota and Lexus. Definitely better than LS, exterior-wise.
2. Toyota Century is Japanese Rolls Royce. If you are an unknowledgeable rich businessman, you won’t buy one outside Japan; very few ordinary folks and your friends appreciate it.
No comment abt the design language. Im just saying that – Im not too OLD to buy this car. Maybe it will fit those uncle who still like old school design.
not too rich either.
Walau… really an apek car.
For those established and with a driver of course.
This car will trump the others in terms of nostalgia design.
Nickel-metal hydride battery pack? Sticking with old classic design is one thing… but old battery technology?.. LOL
Li Ion & LIPO is too advanced for old timer owners. Im not surprised if they have rotary dial phones as optional accessory.
looks like a tank car…nice…
hmm i bet NKorea will buy alot
n korea won’t buy sushit
wow toyota has their own rolls. awesome!
Hmmmm…., looks like they are in the same category of a Cadillac where the car’s target market are for the purpose of chauffeuring state officials, presidents & etc.
Now, I wounder if it come with a long straight hair female chauffeur dress in a white suite? That would be Yakuza
At a glance, I tot it was a RR Ghost. So Majestic yet the Presence is nothing short of GRAND. This Century deserved the accolade of Toyota of the Century.
why does it have 3 rear seat belts if it only seats two?
So Fugly!! Only Toyota can made this kind of junk MASTERPIECE! Fxxx