Automotive
Within the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive industry, plainly even essentially the most exclusive and traditional vehicles aren’t proof against the SUV revolution. Working example: the Toyota Century, a logo of luxury and prestige in Japan for a long time, has taken a daring step into the realm of SUVs, leaving enthusiasts and connoisseurs with high-class hopes.
For those uninitiated, the Century has long been Japan’s well-kept secret, reserved for industry magnates, old-money elites, and royalty. This automotive, with its understated elegance and purposeful anachronism, never quite catered to the driving enthusiast, regardless that it sported a V12 engine option. Interestingly, it was often overshadowed by one other Toyota, the Crown sedan, amongst Japanese ambassadors abroad.
Nevertheless, a handful of Century sedans found their way out of Japan’s borders through the years, despite Toyota’s lack of official marketing for international audiences. Just a couple of years after undergoing a redesign that replaced its softer lines with a more minimalist design and its V12 engine with a hybrid V8 setup, the Century is now venturing into uncharted territory—a full-fledged SUV.
The Century SUV, designed with a give attention to rear passenger comfort, retains its essence as a chauffeur-driven vehicle. The back seats offer an airline-style reclining experience and a plethora of luxurious features, ensuring a pampered ride for its fortunate occupants.
Under the hood, a 3.5-liter V6 engine combined with a PHEV setup powers this personal limousine. Its handling dynamics are intriguing, given its considerable weight of 5665 kilos and a wheelbase of just 116.1 inches, which is barely shorter than a BMW 5-Series sedan.
To navigate Tokyo’s bustling streets, the Century SUV is supplied with a four-wheel steering system. Despite its generous proportions, it still falls a couple of inches short in length in comparison with a Cadillac Escalade, with an overall length of 204.9 inches, making it more maneuverable in tight urban spaces.
Nevertheless, unlike a few of its SUV counterparts, the Century SUV doesn’t aim to supply cavernous cargo space or a 3rd row of seats; it stays a strictly four-seater vehicle. Surprisingly, Toyota also plans to release a GR (Gazoo Racing) version, complete with minivan-style sliding rear doors, catering to a distinct segment market throughout the luxury segment.
Customization options will abound, including the opportunity of adventurous two-tone paint schemes, though it’s likely that many will go for more subdued colours each inside and outside, consistent with the vehicle’s clientele.
With a starting price of roughly $170,000, the Century SUV emerges as a singular and intriguing alternative to established luxury SUVs just like the Bentley Bentayga and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Nevertheless, it seems that this opulent SUV will remain an exclusive offering for the Japanese market, with no plans to enterprise across the Pacific to North America, and that’s just too bad. We actually wish Toyota would bring such a vehicle here to America to run amongst our very own Rodeo Drive cruisers just like the Mercedes G Wagon, Range Rover Autobiography, Cadillac Escalade, Bentley Bentayga, and, in fact, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. We are able to only hope Toyota changes their mind as they see that American’s have a thirst for Japanese luxury in excess as we’ve had with American, German and British luxury SUVs.
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This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
