Patcay.com – Toyota asserts that the New Century is a vehicle vastly different from an SUV, although to many, it might appear as a luxurious SUV. About a month ago, Toyota launched the luxury vehicle Century, which is considered Japan’s response to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Only 30 units are produced each month, making it a rare commodity.
This vehicle offers more luxury and grandeur than the Century sedan. Even though many might perceive it as an SUV, Toyota firmly states that this is not a sport utility vehicle.
In a recent report published in the corporate magazine Toyota Times, Toyota elaborated on the development of the Century. This project was led by Yoshikazu Tanaka, an experienced engineer who has been with Toyota since 1987. Tatsuyda Sonoda, who has experience in developing over 30 company models, oversaw the design of this car.
The Century has a tall profile with large wheel arches and a contrasting body color, which could lead many to think it’s an SUV. However, Toyota holds a different perspective.
According to Tanaka, “We created the Century’s profile with a focus on rear-seat passenger comfort, making it a car that inherits the unique century-old character while meeting diverse contemporary values. From this perspective, we never planned to produce an SUV. I would describe it as a ‘new concept for driver-driven mobility.'”
But who is Toyota targeting with the Century? Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s CEO, stated that this luxury car “will also be suitable for younger people” and those who previously felt that the Century sedan was not for them.
This is quite surprising considering its high initial price. The model’s price in Japan is approximately $167,000, so many may wonder how many young individuals can afford a vehicle nearly five times the cost of a Land Cruiser 300.
Tatsuyda Sonoda, the chief designer, emphasized that the Century is more than just another Toyota model, as it reflects Toyota’s corporate identity. The car has unique features that include a distinctive appearance and aura. During its development, the design team endeavored to answer questions about what should be retained from Century’s characteristics and what should be further developed.
Behind its luxury, the Century features a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 3.5-liter V6 engine, a CVT, and all-wheel drive powered by an electric motor in the rear. This combination can produce 406 horsepower. Currently, there are no V8 or V12 engine options, which were previously available in the second-generation Century since April 1997.