Toyota launching Century SUV next week
SUV version to have Rolls-Royce inspired styling
By Inigo Roces
For some time, luxury car buyers in the Japanese market have enjoyed one of the most enviable exclusive vehicles: the Toyota Century. This vehicle is Toyota’s top-of-the-line sedan, boasting of luxury appointments that rival even the most expensive Mercedes-Benz and powered by a V12 engine.
The exclusive sedan may soon have an SUV version as Toyota has just announced the launch of the vehicle next week.
Hints of a Century SUV were first dropped earlier in the year when Toyota unveiled the all-new Alphard and Vellfire in Japan last June. Simon Humphries, Toyota's Chief Branding Officer said the Century SUV will offer the ultimate chauffeur experience while also changing the future of cars.
“The Toyota Century is the ultimate chauffeur experience but it will too have to evolve as we move toward the future. And later in the year, I hope to have a chance to share the outcome of that story with a new addition to Toyota’s chauffeur series. It will certainly be an impressive step in our mission to change the future of cars,” he said.
Toyota has revealed very little details about the Century SUV. The only thing evident from the silhouette they showed is that it will bear a three-box design (hood, cabin, and trunk) similar to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Like the current Century, it will likely have an 80’s retro-inspired design, bearing styling common for boxy luxury cars of the era. The Century SUV also does not have an official name yet.
Many buyers may be hoping for a V12, but that will likely change too. Instead, it’s likely the Century SUV will be offered with an electrified 5.0-liter V8 hybrid powertrain. The change is to meet growing emissions restrictions for vehicles which a naturally aspirated V12 likely will have difficulty meeting.
Like the current Century, there’s little guarantee that the new Century SUV will be offered in markets outside of Japan. The Century sedan has historically been a Japan-exclusive model, with other markets only offered alternatives like the Lexus SUVs or the new Toyota Crown SUV.
The move to build a Century SUV is in line with global trends of luxury car buyers moving towards SUVs. With nearly all the ultra luxury and performance car brands like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini and Ferrari now offering SUVs, this new model hopes to capitalize on the growing demand for this body style.