In Japan, Toyota debuted the much awaited Century SUV, a posh model that would be built in limited quantities alongside the Century sedan. The new flagship SUV has a four-seat interior, a plug-in hybrid motor, and a 5,205 mm (204.9 inches) long body that evokes Rolls-Royce.
Toyota asserts that the market for chauffeur-driven vehicles has changed recently as a result of travelers' desire to "utilize" their travel time by sleeping or attending virtual meetings. In order to compete with vehicles like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the Bentley Bentayga, the business chose to create a new model that adopted the SUV attitude.
All Toyota insignia have been replaced with the phoenix logo on the new vehicle, which goes by the name Century. The profile is modeled by the Rolls-Royce, and it has a greenhouse covered in chrome and a character line that drops. The virtually split LED headlights and taillights, on the other hand, are reminiscent of Genesis. There are seven distinct exterior color options, five of which are bi-toned. Toyota claims that the bodywork's "mirror finish" was obtained by "meticulous polishing" of the painted surfaces.
Similar to the majority of chauffeur-driven cars, the inside received additional attention. Retractable power stairs and C-pillar grips make it easy to climb inside the roomy interior as the back doors open to a broad 75-degree angle. It's interesting that Toyota offers sliding rear doors, and at the formal introduction, it was displayed in a prototype with the GR logo.
Only a four-seater arrangement is offered in the cabin, which is divided from the luggage area by a sound-absorbing transparent laminated glass. The passenger may totally recline in the fully heated and ventilated back seats with extensible footrests and the folding front passenger seat, and a "refreshment function" ensures they will arrive at their destination feeling refreshed.
The rear passengers also have access to two touchscreen controllers that resemble smartphones, two 11.6-inch screens, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a high-end audio system that was influenced by the construction of musical instruments. The digital cockpit in the front has two 12.3-inch monitors, and every interior surface is made of high-quality materials.
The Century SUV is somewhat shorter than the US-spec Sequoia, but longer than the Land Cruiser at 5,205 mm (204.9 inches) length, 1,990 mm (78.3 inches) wide, and 1,805 mm (71.1 inches) height. On the other hand, the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Lexus TX, which are built on the same TNGA-K design, have virtually similar wheelbases at 2,950 mm (116.1 inches).
A 3.5-liter V6 plug-in hybrid motor under the hood drives the vehicle's four wheels using the E-Four Advanced AWD system and an e-CVT transmission. According to Toyota, this configuration gives a zero-emission range of up to 69 km (43 miles) and a total output of 406 horsepower (303 kW / 412 PS). The V6 enables the SUV to act like a quiet BEV in urban settings, converting into a HEV for longer trips on the highway. It may not sound as stunning as the V8 in the current Century sedan or the beautiful V12 in prior versions.
The model has "Dynamic Rear Steering" as well, which makes it simpler to operate at low speeds. Additionally, it includes a brand-new "Rear Comfort mode" that aids the driver in providing the rear passengers with the most pleasant ride possible.
The Century SUV will be sold through a limited number of Japanese dealers, with sales of 30 vehicles per month being the aim for this Tahara Plant production. First deliveries are anticipated in 2023, and order books are now open. Although the starting price for a Toyota is rather high ($169,580), when compared to competing models like Rolls-Royce or Bentley, it appears to be a great deal.
For the Century SUV, Toyota intends to provide a wide range of customization choices, even going so far as to produce custom models upon request. A cadre of salespeople and engineers known as "Century Meisters" would assist potential customers in customizing the car to meet their preferences, while "master craftspeople" will construct any unique orders, such as the cabriolet SUV that was shown in a teaser. It's interesting to note that the news announcement states the car would be "fully customizable on a global basis," which implies that interested parties outside of Japan will also have access to the flagship.
