In Appreciation of the New Toyota Century

Posted by Kevin on June 26th, 2018

For the first time in 21 years, a new Toyota Century sedan is on sale in Japan. The limousine’s classic design has been tastefully updated, with the type of luxury normally associated with the company’s Lexus brand:

The detail work is astounding — the phoenix badge is hand-carved by a master craftsman over six weeks, the front grille has a infinite loop patterned backdrop based on a traditional Japanese design, and the black exterior paint uses a seven-stage process similar to Ultrasonic Blue Mica and Infrared from the Lexus color palette.

Much like the Lexus LS, the Century boasts an expansive rear cabin, with a massaging seat, personal climate controls, and a 11.6-inch entertainment system:

Toyota has replaced the previous generation’s bespoke 5.0L V12 engine with the 5.0L V8 hybrid powertrain found in the fourth-generation LS 600h. The total system horsepower is 425 horsepower and 376 lb.ft of torque.

The Century will retail for ¥19.6 million ($178,000 USD) and is available in four colors: black, silver, blue and burgundy. Only 50 will be sold each month.

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Comments
S
It's so funny to see random ignorant Americans on other sites saying this thing is "small". Well for japanese roads it's a moving ice berg, and other cars had better make way for it.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • October 23, 2017
I actually just went through the exterior dimensions, and they are not far off the 5LS. So likely this is on GA-L. Given the Century is rarely redesigned, this would only make sense.

ssun30
It's so funny to see random ignorant Americans on other sites saying this thing is "small". Well for japanese roads it's a moving ice berg, and other cars had better make way for it.
Hilarious. This is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the 5LS, with only a slightly shorter wheelbase.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • October 23, 2017
I actually just went through the exterior dimensions, and they are not far off the 5LS. So likely this is on GA-L. Given the Century is rarely redesigned, this would only make sense.

ssun30
It's so funny to see random ignorant Americans on other sites saying this thing is "small". Well for japanese roads it's a moving ice berg, and other cars had better make way for it.
Hilarious. This is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the 5LS, with only a slightly shorter wheelbase.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • October 23, 2017
I actually just went through the exterior dimensions, and they are not far off the 5LS. So likely this is on GA-L. Given the Century is rarely redesigned, this would only make sense.

ssun30
It's so funny to see random ignorant Americans on other sites saying this thing is "small". Well for japanese roads it's a moving ice berg, and other cars had better make way for it.
Hilarious. This is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the 5LS, with only a slightly shorter wheelbase.
S
CIF
Hilarious. This is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the 5LS, with only a slightly shorter wheelbase.
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
S
CIF
Hilarious. This is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the 5LS, with only a slightly shorter wheelbase.
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
S
CIF
Hilarious. This is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the 5LS, with only a slightly shorter wheelbase.
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
S
CIF
Hilarious. This is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the 5LS, with only a slightly shorter wheelbase.
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
mmcartalk
ssun30
It's so funny to see random ignorant Americans on other sites saying this thing is "small". Well for japanese roads it's a moving ice berg, and other cars had better make way for it.
One cannot always tell the physical size of a car simply from images.....especially without background references to visually compare it to. I wouldn't necessarily call them "ignorant", but, yes, I agree.....some folks on those forums should be more careful about making size-related comments.
mmcartalk
ssun30
It's so funny to see random ignorant Americans on other sites saying this thing is "small". Well for japanese roads it's a moving ice berg, and other cars had better make way for it.
One cannot always tell the physical size of a car simply from images.....especially without background references to visually compare it to. I wouldn't necessarily call them "ignorant", but, yes, I agree.....some folks on those forums should be more careful about making size-related comments.
mmcartalk
ssun30
It's so funny to see random ignorant Americans on other sites saying this thing is "small". Well for japanese roads it's a moving ice berg, and other cars had better make way for it.
One cannot always tell the physical size of a car simply from images.....especially without background references to visually compare it to. I wouldn't necessarily call them "ignorant", but, yes, I agree.....some folks on those forums should be more careful about making size-related comments.
mmcartalk
ssun30
It's so funny to see random ignorant Americans on other sites saying this thing is "small". Well for japanese roads it's a moving ice berg, and other cars had better make way for it.
One cannot always tell the physical size of a car simply from images.....especially without background references to visually compare it to. I wouldn't necessarily call them "ignorant", but, yes, I agree.....some folks on those forums should be more careful about making size-related comments.
Joaquin Ruhi
ssun30
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
An excellent observation. I just looked at a side profile shot. Front overhang seems a bit longer than rear edge of front fender to front edge of front door distance. I suspect that the new Century does NOT sit on the GA-L platform.
Joaquin Ruhi
ssun30
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
An excellent observation. I just looked at a side profile shot. Front overhang seems a bit longer than rear edge of front fender to front edge of front door distance. I suspect that the new Century does NOT sit on the GA-L platform.
Joaquin Ruhi
ssun30
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
An excellent observation. I just looked at a side profile shot. Front overhang seems a bit longer than rear edge of front fender to front edge of front door distance. I suspect that the new Century does NOT sit on the GA-L platform.
Joaquin Ruhi
ssun30
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
An excellent observation. I just looked at a side profile shot. Front overhang seems a bit longer than rear edge of front fender to front edge of front door distance. I suspect that the new Century does NOT sit on the GA-L platform.
White Beach
ssun30
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
Joaquin Ruhi
An excellent observation. I just looked at a side profile shot. Front overhang seems a bit longer than rear edge of front fender to front edge of front door distance. I suspect that the new Century does NOT sit on the GA-L platform.
The new gen Century's 3,090 mm wheelbase is exactly the same as that of the 4LS 600h L, so it's safe to assume that the NEW Toyota flagship uses the now-more-than-a-decade-old underpinning of the LAST gen LS, not the GA-L. The engine is basically the same as well I believe. But it's understandable because reliability is easily the first priority for the Century. They just didn't want to try something new for this particular vehicle.
White Beach
ssun30
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
Joaquin Ruhi
An excellent observation. I just looked at a side profile shot. Front overhang seems a bit longer than rear edge of front fender to front edge of front door distance. I suspect that the new Century does NOT sit on the GA-L platform.
The new gen Century's 3,090 mm wheelbase is exactly the same as that of the 4LS 600h L, so it's safe to assume that the NEW Toyota flagship uses the now-more-than-a-decade-old underpinning of the LAST gen LS, not the GA-L. The engine is basically the same as well I believe. But it's understandable because reliability is easily the first priority for the Century. They just didn't want to try something new for this particular vehicle.
White Beach
ssun30
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
Joaquin Ruhi
An excellent observation. I just looked at a side profile shot. Front overhang seems a bit longer than rear edge of front fender to front edge of front door distance. I suspect that the new Century does NOT sit on the GA-L platform.
The new gen Century's 3,090 mm wheelbase is exactly the same as that of the 4LS 600h L, so it's safe to assume that the NEW Toyota flagship uses the now-more-than-a-decade-old underpinning of the LAST gen LS, not the GA-L. The engine is basically the same as well I believe. But it's understandable because reliability is easily the first priority for the Century. They just didn't want to try something new for this particular vehicle.
White Beach
ssun30
I wonder why it has such long front and rear overhangs. The proportions don't look right for a longitudinal vehicle (more like transverse FWD). Usually a 5300 mm long car should have a 3300 mm long wheelbase...
Joaquin Ruhi
An excellent observation. I just looked at a side profile shot. Front overhang seems a bit longer than rear edge of front fender to front edge of front door distance. I suspect that the new Century does NOT sit on the GA-L platform.
The new gen Century's 3,090 mm wheelbase is exactly the same as that of the 4LS 600h L, so it's safe to assume that the NEW Toyota flagship uses the now-more-than-a-decade-old underpinning of the LAST gen LS, not the GA-L. The engine is basically the same as well I believe. But it's understandable because reliability is easily the first priority for the Century. They just didn't want to try something new for this particular vehicle.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • October 23, 2017
White Beach
The new gen Century's 3,090 mm wheelbase is exactly the same as that of the 4LS 600h L, so it's safe to assume that the NEW Toyota flagship uses the now-more-than-a-decade-old underpinning of the LAST gen LS, not the GA-L. The engine is basically the same as well I believe. But it's understandable because reliability is easily the first priority for the Century. They just didn't want to try something new for this particular vehicle.
Good points, you're most likely right.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • October 23, 2017
White Beach
The new gen Century's 3,090 mm wheelbase is exactly the same as that of the 4LS 600h L, so it's safe to assume that the NEW Toyota flagship uses the now-more-than-a-decade-old underpinning of the LAST gen LS, not the GA-L. The engine is basically the same as well I believe. But it's understandable because reliability is easily the first priority for the Century. They just didn't want to try something new for this particular vehicle.
Good points, you're most likely right.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • October 23, 2017
White Beach
The new gen Century's 3,090 mm wheelbase is exactly the same as that of the 4LS 600h L, so it's safe to assume that the NEW Toyota flagship uses the now-more-than-a-decade-old underpinning of the LAST gen LS, not the GA-L. The engine is basically the same as well I believe. But it's understandable because reliability is easily the first priority for the Century. They just didn't want to try something new for this particular vehicle.
Good points, you're most likely right.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • October 23, 2017
White Beach
The new gen Century's 3,090 mm wheelbase is exactly the same as that of the 4LS 600h L, so it's safe to assume that the NEW Toyota flagship uses the now-more-than-a-decade-old underpinning of the LAST gen LS, not the GA-L. The engine is basically the same as well I believe. But it's understandable because reliability is easily the first priority for the Century. They just didn't want to try something new for this particular vehicle.
Good points, you're most likely right.
S
2018 Toyota Century (3rd gen) at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show – Live

In case you’ve never heard of the Toyota Century; yes, Toyota actually makes a super luxury limousine too. And no, not the one that has a large ‘L’ badge and aggressive styling. The Century is a Japanese limo that’s been around since 1967, and it’s just entered the third generation only.

The new Toyota Century measures 5,335 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, 1,505 mm high and has a wheelbase of 3,090 mm. Despite being the latest generation, Toyota has basically rehashed the characteristic styling, albeit with a slightly upright c-pillar. There are a few modern elements such as the three projector headlamps and LED Array AHS, the three-dimensional lens of the taillamps and the sensors for the Toyota Safety Sense package.

Inside, the new Century has all the bells and whistles you’d find in a European luxury limo. For instance, rear occupants get power articulating and massaging rear seats, integrated leg rest, multi-operational LCD panel located in the central armrest and 20-speaker premium audio system. For those of you wondering the type of upholstery used, the Century comes with wool upholstery, which may seem unorthodox. However, the Japanese consider wool as a traditional luxury touch. Leather upholstery is still an option.

Gone is the trademark V12 engine for a new hybrid system that combines a 2UR-FSE 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 engine with an electric motor. It is claimed to offer the lowest fuel consumption in its class.
https://indianautosblog.com/2017/10/2018-toyota-century-3rd-gen-2017-tokyo-287228







S
2018 Toyota Century (3rd gen) at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show – Live

In case you’ve never heard of the Toyota Century; yes, Toyota actually makes a super luxury limousine too. And no, not the one that has a large ‘L’ badge and aggressive styling. The Century is a Japanese limo that’s been around since 1967, and it’s just entered the third generation only.

The new Toyota Century measures 5,335 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, 1,505 mm high and has a wheelbase of 3,090 mm. Despite being the latest generation, Toyota has basically rehashed the characteristic styling, albeit with a slightly upright c-pillar. There are a few modern elements such as the three projector headlamps and LED Array AHS, the three-dimensional lens of the taillamps and the sensors for the Toyota Safety Sense package.

Inside, the new Century has all the bells and whistles you’d find in a European luxury limo. For instance, rear occupants get power articulating and massaging rear seats, integrated leg rest, multi-operational LCD panel located in the central armrest and 20-speaker premium audio system. For those of you wondering the type of upholstery used, the Century comes with wool upholstery, which may seem unorthodox. However, the Japanese consider wool as a traditional luxury touch. Leather upholstery is still an option.

Gone is the trademark V12 engine for a new hybrid system that combines a 2UR-FSE 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 engine with an electric motor. It is claimed to offer the lowest fuel consumption in its class.
https://indianautosblog.com/2017/10/2018-toyota-century-3rd-gen-2017-tokyo-287228







S
2018 Toyota Century (3rd gen) at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show – Live

In case you’ve never heard of the Toyota Century; yes, Toyota actually makes a super luxury limousine too. And no, not the one that has a large ‘L’ badge and aggressive styling. The Century is a Japanese limo that’s been around since 1967, and it’s just entered the third generation only.

The new Toyota Century measures 5,335 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, 1,505 mm high and has a wheelbase of 3,090 mm. Despite being the latest generation, Toyota has basically rehashed the characteristic styling, albeit with a slightly upright c-pillar. There are a few modern elements such as the three projector headlamps and LED Array AHS, the three-dimensional lens of the taillamps and the sensors for the Toyota Safety Sense package.

Inside, the new Century has all the bells and whistles you’d find in a European luxury limo. For instance, rear occupants get power articulating and massaging rear seats, integrated leg rest, multi-operational LCD panel located in the central armrest and 20-speaker premium audio system. For those of you wondering the type of upholstery used, the Century comes with wool upholstery, which may seem unorthodox. However, the Japanese consider wool as a traditional luxury touch. Leather upholstery is still an option.

Gone is the trademark V12 engine for a new hybrid system that combines a 2UR-FSE 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 engine with an electric motor. It is claimed to offer the lowest fuel consumption in its class.
https://indianautosblog.com/2017/10/2018-toyota-century-3rd-gen-2017-tokyo-287228







S
2018 Toyota Century (3rd gen) at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show – Live

In case you’ve never heard of the Toyota Century; yes, Toyota actually makes a super luxury limousine too. And no, not the one that has a large ‘L’ badge and aggressive styling. The Century is a Japanese limo that’s been around since 1967, and it’s just entered the third generation only.

The new Toyota Century measures 5,335 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, 1,505 mm high and has a wheelbase of 3,090 mm. Despite being the latest generation, Toyota has basically rehashed the characteristic styling, albeit with a slightly upright c-pillar. There are a few modern elements such as the three projector headlamps and LED Array AHS, the three-dimensional lens of the taillamps and the sensors for the Toyota Safety Sense package.

Inside, the new Century has all the bells and whistles you’d find in a European luxury limo. For instance, rear occupants get power articulating and massaging rear seats, integrated leg rest, multi-operational LCD panel located in the central armrest and 20-speaker premium audio system. For those of you wondering the type of upholstery used, the Century comes with wool upholstery, which may seem unorthodox. However, the Japanese consider wool as a traditional luxury touch. Leather upholstery is still an option.

Gone is the trademark V12 engine for a new hybrid system that combines a 2UR-FSE 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 engine with an electric motor. It is claimed to offer the lowest fuel consumption in its class.
https://indianautosblog.com/2017/10/2018-toyota-century-3rd-gen-2017-tokyo-287228







S


A New Toyota With Previous Century Styling Is Japan's Rolls Royce

The most exclusive model from Japan is a car very few have ever heard about outside the country. The Toyota Century was born back in 1967 and was named for the 100th birthday of the company's founder, Sakichi Toyoda.

It remained unchanged for two decades, but at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show Toyota debuted a new generation of the Century.

Unveiled earlier this month, the flagship saloon could fool you into thinking that it's a 1990s car, featuring a classic boxy design with sharp angles that has slightly evolved over its predecessor, dominated by a large grille, rectangular headlights, and multi-spoke alloy wheels.

However, opening the door reveals a lot of modern equipment, such as the infotainment system, digital dials, and rear-seat entertainment, among others, which blends in with the classic style in a rather minimalistic layout. Users also get to enjoy the wood trim, wool/leather seating, premium audio system, reading light, writing table, and others, offered either as standard, or optional.

Toyota has yet to release the specs of the 2018 Century, but we already know that it uses the 5.0-liter V8 petrol engine and electric motor powering the LS 600h, backed up by a nickel-hydrogen battery pack.

Pricing details haven’t been announced either, but don't get your hopes too high, because the automaker still has no plans of offering their new flagship saloon outside Japan.
http://www.carscoops.com/2017/10/a-new-toyota-with-previous-century.html







S


A New Toyota With Previous Century Styling Is Japan's Rolls Royce

The most exclusive model from Japan is a car very few have ever heard about outside the country. The Toyota Century was born back in 1967 and was named for the 100th birthday of the company's founder, Sakichi Toyoda.

It remained unchanged for two decades, but at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show Toyota debuted a new generation of the Century.

Unveiled earlier this month, the flagship saloon could fool you into thinking that it's a 1990s car, featuring a classic boxy design with sharp angles that has slightly evolved over its predecessor, dominated by a large grille, rectangular headlights, and multi-spoke alloy wheels.

However, opening the door reveals a lot of modern equipment, such as the infotainment system, digital dials, and rear-seat entertainment, among others, which blends in with the classic style in a rather minimalistic layout. Users also get to enjoy the wood trim, wool/leather seating, premium audio system, reading light, writing table, and others, offered either as standard, or optional.

Toyota has yet to release the specs of the 2018 Century, but we already know that it uses the 5.0-liter V8 petrol engine and electric motor powering the LS 600h, backed up by a nickel-hydrogen battery pack.

Pricing details haven’t been announced either, but don't get your hopes too high, because the automaker still has no plans of offering their new flagship saloon outside Japan.
http://www.carscoops.com/2017/10/a-new-toyota-with-previous-century.html







S