The Century SUV has been developed specially for chauffeur driving
Luxury 4×4 is the Century division’s first SUV, developed specifically for chauffeurs
Japan’s answer to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Mercedes-Maybach GLS, the Toyota Century SUV, has made its public debut at the Tokyo motor show.
It is a £135,000 4×4 developed for chauffeur driving, with a focus on rear-passenger comfort.
The Century sub-division, which has produced various iterations of its self-titled limousine for Japan’s executive class since 1967, worked to give the car SUV imposing, squared-off proportions. Smooth surfaces and chamfered corners signal that it is a Century, and split front and rear light signatures add to its on-road presence.
Inside, it gets luxury touches including a refreshment function, fully reclining rear seats, TV screens in the rear, a fridge separating either passenger, and a stereo system developed with a manufacturer of musical instruments to make passengers feel as though they are at a live performance.
With a wheelbase of 2950mm, it is 140mm shorter than the saloon equivalent, and around 40mm shorter than the Range Rover.
The rear doors open to a 75 degree angle, it has a completely flat cabin floor, and there are retractable power steps.
For owners who prefer to be behind the wheel, the Century SUV has been fitted with a large centrally-mounted infotainment display borrowed from Lexus, digital dials and ambient lighting in the door cards.
Power is sent through all four wheels via a 3.5-litre V6 plug-in hybrid set-up, shared with the Lexus TX. Rear-wheel steering provides better manoeuvrability around town, and there is also a ‘Rear Comfort’ mode that suppresses jolts and excessive braking to provide a more smoother ride for rear passengers.
Laminated glass separates the passenger seats from the boot to keep road and wind noise to a minimum.
Customers will be able to configure their cars with a choice of three standard body colours and four optional colours as part of Century’s exclusive Kiwami Line.
Prices start from 25,000,000 Japanese Yen [the equivalent of £135,000], however no plans have been announced to bring it to the UK.
Toyota also confirmed it plans to produce several variants of the Century SUV in the future, including a presidential-style cabriolet, as well as a high-performance GRMN – ‘Gazoo Racing, tuned by the Meister of the Nürburgring’ – model.
Additional reporting by Charlie Martin
