Toyota Century Chauffeur-Prepared V-8 Hybrid to Be Revealed Sept. 6

Sooner than ascending to the Chrysanthemum Throne as emperor of Japan in 2019, Crown Prince Naruhito settled right into a spot with virtually as so much standing: the once more seat of a Toyota. Notably, that of a Toyota Century, prolonged the automotive equal of Japan’s Imperial household.

Handbuilt, luxurious however extraordinarily reserved, merely three generations of Century limousine have existed since 1967. It’s a machine steeped in customized. Now that customized seems destined to differ as Toyota readies an additional model inside the flagship final luxurious car class.

It was initially hinted at in a projected silhouette on the launch of the Toyota Alphard minivan by Toyota chief branding officer Simon Humphries, and now the arrival of a Century SUV seems a sure issue. The latest teaser image choices the white-gloved hand of a chauffeur about to open the door of a crossover that bears the polished, squared-off styling of the current Century sedan.

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A Legacy of Power

To know why an SUV/crossover bearing the Century’s phoenix badge is a huge thought, here’s a snapshot of the breed. Initially launched in 1967 as an enormous V-8 sedan, the first-generation Century obtained solely most likely probably the most minor updates for some 30 years. When you’ve gotten been the kind of conservative Japanese authorities to exile the racing-obsessed Yutaka Katayama to the fledgling U.S. market to sink or swim, then you definately undoubtedly may properly have been ferried spherical in a Century. Successfully, no actually, you’d clearly have been in a Nissan product, nonetheless the extent stands. The Century wasn’t flashy, however it projected vitality nonetheless.

The second-generation Century resembled its ancestor intently nonetheless dropped the bubble-economy Toyota engineering mic by being Japan’s solely manufacturing V-12 automotive, ever. Launched in 1997, early fashions of these are literally U.S. importable, they usually’re unbelievable to drive. Take into consideration the imperious wafting of a Rolls-Royce, with engineering from the parents behind the Mk IV Supra Turbo, and assembled by expert takumi who hand-chamfer the physique panels by actually really feel alone.

Nonetheless Handcrafted, Now Hybrid

The current period of Century is now a 5.0-liter V-8 hybrid with a powertrain shared with the Lexus LS600h. As such, it feels quite much less specific, nonetheless there’s nonetheless a handcrafted top quality to the automotive, one which limits manufacturing to easily 50 cars month-to-month, and Japan-only availability. Evidently, the prepared itemizing stretches to years.

Sinking into the rich wool upholstery of a Century—it breathes larger than leather-based inside the humid Tokyo summer season season, and doesn’t squeak each—is a particular sort of luxurious. No flashy Maybach or Bentley, the Century embraces a subtlety not seen so much inside the luxurious market recently. Akio Toyoda did have a GR mannequin made, with less-reserved sporty tweaks, nonetheless that was additional the exception that proves the rule.

What We Know So Far

Particulars on this new Century SUV haven’t leaked out ahead of the September 6 reveal (because of the time zone, it’s merely after midnight inside the U.S.), nonetheless camouflaged prototypes have already been seen by Japanese journal Vehicle-Moby. The rumor amongst Japanese publications is that this new Century will journey on the equivalent platform as a result of the Toyota Grand Highlander, a variant of which moreover underpins that Alphard minivan.

Which means a transverse-mounted engine with front-wheel-drive construction, a tricky promote inside the luxurious part. Given the Century’s use as a chaffeured livery automotive, hybridization might be going, and it’s potential that Toyota will probably be succesful to disguise any commoner roots with lashings of handbuilt top quality.

Coming Proper right here? Wishful Contemplating?

What’s possibly additional fascinating is the chance of a Century on this side of the Pacific. Toyota bringing the Crown sedan to North America was an fascinating switch, and the crossover market is a safer guess. Lexus does have the Grand Highlander–based TX on the best way during which, nonetheless possibly there’s some room on the prime for a flagship Toyota crossover with out the L badge on the doorway.

Whatever the case, the expansion of the Century differ after virtually 60 years of staying the course is, like Emperor Naruhito himself, an indication that some traditions are going to be shaken up. And if these tremors keep Japan-market solely, don’t forget to check these overseas auctions for any second-generation V-12 Centurys arising in the marketplace—there’s one on Carry a Trailer correct now, although the general public sale ends September 6. They’re merely the issue to make you feel like an emperor, even everytime you’re merely on the best way during which to get takeout sushi.

Contributing Editor

Brendan McAleer is a contract writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, bought right here of age inside the golden interval of Japanese sport-compact effectivity, and commenced writing about autos and people in 2008. His particular curiosity is the intersection between humanity and gear, whether or not or not it’s the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught every of his youthful daughters learn the way to shift a handbook transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually searching for Scorching Wheels.