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.

In the News
Popular Stories

Sorry. No data so far.

Comments
Joaquin Ruhi
The Toyota Global Newsroom has a new 3rd-gen Century release with new pictures and information:

https://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/toyota/22998350.html
Joaquin Ruhi
The Toyota Global Newsroom has a new 3rd-gen Century release with new pictures and information:

https://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/toyota/22998350.html
Joaquin Ruhi
The Toyota Global Newsroom has a new 3rd-gen Century release with new pictures and information:

https://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/toyota/22998350.html
Joaquin Ruhi
The Toyota Global Newsroom has a new 3rd-gen Century release with new pictures and information:

https://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/toyota/22998350.html
Ian Schmidt
A hybrid system with a full-on 2UR? Now *that's* what the LC hybrid should've had.
Ian Schmidt
A hybrid system with a full-on 2UR? Now *that's* what the LC hybrid should've had.
Ian Schmidt
A hybrid system with a full-on 2UR? Now *that's* what the LC hybrid should've had.
Ian Schmidt
A hybrid system with a full-on 2UR? Now *that's* what the LC hybrid should've had.
S
Ian Schmidt
A hybrid system with a full-on 2UR? Now *that's* what the LC hybrid should've had.
It's the 600h powertrain from 2008. The new Century is basically a reskinned LS600h. That hybrid system isn't particularly impressive by today's standards, especially considering the 500h system is designed to outperform it...
S
Ian Schmidt
A hybrid system with a full-on 2UR? Now *that's* what the LC hybrid should've had.
It's the 600h powertrain from 2008. The new Century is basically a reskinned LS600h. That hybrid system isn't particularly impressive by today's standards, especially considering the 500h system is designed to outperform it...
S
Ian Schmidt
A hybrid system with a full-on 2UR? Now *that's* what the LC hybrid should've had.
It's the 600h powertrain from 2008. The new Century is basically a reskinned LS600h. That hybrid system isn't particularly impressive by today's standards, especially considering the 500h system is designed to outperform it...
S
Ian Schmidt
A hybrid system with a full-on 2UR? Now *that's* what the LC hybrid should've had.
It's the 600h powertrain from 2008. The new Century is basically a reskinned LS600h. That hybrid system isn't particularly impressive by today's standards, especially considering the 500h system is designed to outperform it...
Ian Schmidt
Ahh, ok. I assumed this was newer than it is, given the presence of the LS500 rear seat touchscreen and stuff.

I remember the poor reviews of the 600h, they let the press drive it in California and it kept overheating. Oops!
Ian Schmidt
Ahh, ok. I assumed this was newer than it is, given the presence of the LS500 rear seat touchscreen and stuff.

I remember the poor reviews of the 600h, they let the press drive it in California and it kept overheating. Oops!
Ian Schmidt
Ahh, ok. I assumed this was newer than it is, given the presence of the LS500 rear seat touchscreen and stuff.

I remember the poor reviews of the 600h, they let the press drive it in California and it kept overheating. Oops!
Ian Schmidt
Ahh, ok. I assumed this was newer than it is, given the presence of the LS500 rear seat touchscreen and stuff.

I remember the poor reviews of the 600h, they let the press drive it in California and it kept overheating. Oops!
S
Could be pre-production flaws. It's been a decade, surely they should have figured out the cooling!
S
Could be pre-production flaws. It's been a decade, surely they should have figured out the cooling!
S
Could be pre-production flaws. It's been a decade, surely they should have figured out the cooling!
S
Could be pre-production flaws. It's been a decade, surely they should have figured out the cooling!
krew
krew

In Appreciation of the New Toyota Century
[​IMG]

Japan-only limousine gets first update in 21 years.
View the original article post
krew
krew

In Appreciation of the New Toyota Century
[​IMG]

Japan-only limousine gets first update in 21 years.
View the original article post
krew
krew

In Appreciation of the New Toyota Century
[​IMG]

Japan-only limousine gets first update in 21 years.
View the original article post
krew
krew

In Appreciation of the New Toyota Century
[​IMG]

Japan-only limousine gets first update in 21 years.
View the original article post
R
Wonderful car absolute classic! Giving my age away but this how a prestige car should look pity it is not a Lexus but it's history goes way back before Lexus was thought of. Someone in this thread mentioned cloth seats they are in fact lambs wool and optional. Looks very inviting and comfortable in there - a Diplomats car not for average use ala Rolls Royce. Well done Toyota!
R
Wonderful car absolute classic! Giving my age away but this how a prestige car should look pity it is not a Lexus but it's history goes way back before Lexus was thought of. Someone in this thread mentioned cloth seats they are in fact lambs wool and optional. Looks very inviting and comfortable in there - a Diplomats car not for average use ala Rolls Royce. Well done Toyota!
R
Notice that the Phoenix badge on the wheels is always the right way up! - just like RR hubcaps if we can call them that.
R
Notice that the Phoenix badge on the wheels is always the right way up! - just like RR hubcaps if we can call them that.
L
I really like this car now, so as most Japanese (market only) cars. In today's world, superficiality has destroyed any craftsmanship that implies human soul, and customers are spoiled by consumerism. These cars in particular have a certain timelessness through functionality.

This Century is all luxury that is needed, without tech for show. It also honestly reflects the slow (at least slower than advertised) automotive industry development, with the first gen 30, then 20 and now probably 10 year life cycle. Yes in ten years only will HFCEVs and BEVs have some weight, if.

This Century is true, functional luxury, and does not need to play the ostentatious card.

I really love it, the pure definition of luxury, from which Rolls Royce has departed going after the "undeserved" nouveau riche. But well, that is the world we live in.


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...
One thing to remember is that wheelbase size also has pros and cons. A long wheelbase, makes a car more stable, but less maneuverable, thus the increased use of AWS. In this case it has probably more to do with the car being based on the 4LS, rather than any deliberate engineering choice.
L
I really like this car now, so as most Japanese (market only) cars. In today's world, superficiality has destroyed any craftsmanship that implies human soul, and customers are spoiled by consumerism. These cars in particular have a certain timelessness through functionality. An example of a good "worker" car, the Tocot:


This Century is for those that deserve more, is all luxury that is needed, without tech for show. It (but all these cars too) also honestly reflects the slow (at least slower than advertised) automotive industry development, with the first gen 30, then 20 and now probably 10 year life cycle. Yes in ten years only will HFCEVs and BEVs have some weight, if.

This Century is true, functional luxury, and does not need to play the ostentatious card.

I really love it, the pure definition of luxury, from which Rolls Royce has departed catering to the "undeserved" nouveau riche. But well, that is the world we live in.


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...
One thing to remember is that wheelbase size also has pros and cons. A long wheelbase, makes a car more stable, but less maneuverable, thus the increased use of AWS. In this case it has probably more to do with the car being based on the 4LS, rather than any deliberate engineering choice.

L