Toyota Century brand goes global with new coupe model to rival Rolls-Royce, Bentley beyond Japan’s borders

Toyota has determined to connect Century as a stamp in its hold appropriate, with a unfold of extremely-luxury objects situation to be sold now not completely in Japan, but additionally in other world markets.

Century will sit down above Lexus within the Toyota Motor Company (TMC) stamp structure, with Lexus vacating the outmoded excessive-pause luxury sedan market by pivoting its flagships to the premium van and coupe-SUV rental.

The Century vary will consist of two most unusual objects, being the eponymous Century sedan and the gargantuan Century SUV. A third mannequin, the Century Coupe, will seemingly be a part of the lineup within the next Twelve months or two.

TMC chairman Akio Toyoda delivered a rousing speech in Tokyo asserting the world growth of Century, decrying what he perceives as malaise within the Japanese financial system and encouraging Japanese satisfaction in automobile manufacturing.

“Century is extra than simply the name of a automobile. It’s miles a heartfelt desire for world peace, and to form the next 100 years of Japan. I even hold technique to query this as my private mission,” acknowledged Toyoda.

Century will sit down above Lexus in Toyota stamp portfolio

In its home market, the Toyota Century sedan is held in deep like and in Japan, the badge is already regarded as sitting above Lexus. That self-discipline has now been formalised.

“Century stands on the head. It’s miles a automobile in a class of its hold. I deem this automobile used to be born carrying Japan on its shoulders,” Akio Toyoda told media.

“We desire to cultivate [Century] as a stamp that brings the spirit of Japan, the satisfaction of Japan, out into the world. The subsequent century begins with us.”

Whether or now not Century’s growth plans embody Australia is yet to be obvious, but Toyota CALTY Evolved Study president Ian Cartabiano confirmed that the Century stamp will “compete head-to-head” with Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

That can seemingly imply an initial level of curiosity on markets the set those excessive-pause British manufacturers promote strongly. That comprises the UK, but additionally the Center East self-discipline and North The usa.

Serving to Australia’s case is that every person Century objects hold been developed for native appropriate-hand force in Japan. At the moment, the habitual Century is considered on local roads due to grey-import capabilities.

“We desire to total our portfolio of manufacturers, giving Lexus respiratory rental to create what it does most attention-grabbing: powerful the rivals and staying adventurous,” Cartabiano told media.

Hybrid-powered Century sedan and SUV objects already in Japan

Both existing Century objects are hybrids, but they’re remarkably varied below the pores and skin.

The Century sedan may presumably also very correctly be regarded as essentially the most ‘genuine’ Century mannequin, being supreme in dimension and consistent with a native rear-wheel force platform.

Its deeply dignified recognition and significance in Japan is advanced to understate. The Century sedan is the auto of replacement for the Japanese emperor and royal family.

The Century sedan makes employ of a plugless petrol-electrical 2UR-FSE V8 engine producing 317kW of mixed vitality.

Measuring 5335mm in length on a 3090mm wheelbase, the Century sedan is genuinely elevated than the 5250mm-long Century SUV.

The crossover mannequin utilises a stretched model of TMC’s front-biased GA-Good enough platform additionally utilised by the American-market Lexus TX and Toyota Sizable Highlander gargantuan SUVs.

Beneath the bonnet of the Century SUV is a 3.5-litre wander-in hybrid (PHEV) petrol V6 producing 303kW of mixed vitality with spherical 69km electrical-completely vary doable.

Century Coupe concept revealed

Next to hitch the lineup will seemingly be a coupe mannequin with beneficiant plug high, a physique-coloured girlle and long front doors.

The coupe mannequin additionally has a pair of rapid, rear-hinged help doors that camouflage something particular: a rear compartment with as worthy passenger rental as a Century SUV.

Strangely, the Century Coupe concept is designed to be driven by a chauffeur, with a separated, and reasonably restrained, driver’s compartment. Nonetheless, TMC says it’s miles highly capable as a driver’s automobile for people who desire to create the job themselves.

In Japan, Toyota Century objects hold long been identified for their deeply conservative comely. It has been extraordinarily rare to space a Century now not painted in black, silver or dark blue.

That started to alternate in 2018 when TMC chief government officer Akio Toyoda revealed his private automobile—a one-off Century GRMN painted white with red accents.

Animated forward, Century objects will continue to be bespoke to buyer requirements but with prolonged customisation doable.