Toyota today launched a new luxury SUV, the Toyota Century SUV, which is a high-chassis SUV version of its Century sedan. The Century sedan, known as Japan’s Rolls-Royce, has been the exclusive vehicle for Japan’s business, political and other high-level figures for many years, usually driven by a chauffeur. Toyota says each Century SUV will be custom-tailored according to the customer’s needs, and even a unique body can be created by a craftsman. A high-performance version of the GRMN was shown at the unveiling, and there was even a convertible.
The Century SUV will be produced in Japan and sold globally in the future. In the Japanese market, the Century SUV will be limited to 30 units per month, with a starting price of 25 million yen. It is 5 million yen more expensive than a car, and the price of a car is 20 million yen.
The Century SUV rides on a different chassis than the sedan, which rides on the rear-wheel-drive platform of the previous-generation Lexus LS luxury sedan, while the SUV is based on the front- and all-wheel-drive platforms of the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX series SUVs. In terms of power, the SUV does not use the sedan’s 5.0-liter gasoline V8 hybrid system, but uses a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 plug-in hybrid system, which is found in many cheaper Toyota and Lexus family cars. use. The system combines a 193kW/335Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine with two electric motors producing 134kW/270Nm and 80kW/169Nm respectively to power all four wheels. Total power output was not announced.
In terms of the front face, the Century SUV adopts a square design as a whole. The new car continues the Phoenix logo, has double LED headlights, and uses a two-color painting. Buyers can choose between regular rear doors (which can open up to 75 degrees) or electric sliding doors similar to an MPV. Toyota also showed off a high-performance GRMN version of the Century SUV, which appears to be marketed to the general public. There was a GRMN version of the Century sedan before, but that was specially built for Toyota President Akio Toyoda.
Measuring 5205mm long, 1990mm wide, 1805mm high and with a 2950mm wheelbase, the Century SUV is about the size of a BMW X7 seven-seat SUV. The car weighs 2570kg, 200kg more than a sedan. The sedan is 130mm longer overall than the SUV and has a 140mm longer wheelbase than the SUV, but is 60mm narrower and 300mm lower.
Inside the Century SUV is a four-seater design with leather-wrapped rear seats that recline fully to allow passengers to sleep. All seats in the car are heated and ventilated, and the sound system claims to incorporate the “exquisite hearing and superb technique of a master instrument maker”. In order to facilitate getting on and off the car, it is also equipped with electric retractable side steps and door post handles.
Toyota says the 3.5-liter V6 plug-in hybrid system “makes for quiet driving” and comes with rear-wheel steering to reduce the turning radius, as well as a “rear comfort” mode that “assists brake control , to suppress the turbulence when the vehicle stops.” The new car also uses noise-reducing laminated glass to separate the cabin from the trunk to reduce noise.
The 2024 Toyota Century SUV is now available for pre-order in Japan and will be sold through “Century Meisters,” “a group of salespeople and engineers with extensive knowledge of the Century brand at select Toyota dealers.” “Meisters in charge of sales will Communicate carefully with each customer and propose a suitable car model according to their needs. In the future, customers will be able to customize the body color and interior according to their preferences, and can also choose a unique century built by craftsmen. Specific details will be determined after announcement as soon as possible.” In addition to the three “mirror” exterior colors, Toyota said it will offer four other colors under the Kiwami Line brand to provide “customers looking for a more unique vehicle to meet a variety of needs. Exterior”.
