Half a century after Toyota showed off the original Century luxury car at the 1967 Tokyo auto show, the Japanese automaker will be taking the wraps off the all-new third-generation Century at the 2017 show later this month.
This is the model’s first redesign in more than two decades. The new Century’s evolutionary styling hides significant changes under its slab sides. Notably, the Century ditches the prior model’s V-12 engine and replaces it with a hybrid powertrain that features the 5.0-liter V-8 found in the previous-generation Lexus LS600hL and a pair of electric motors. In the LS600hL, this trio produced a combined 438 horsepower, which is 162 horses greater than the outgoing Century’s V-12.
While the new powertrain’s additional power and expected fuel-economy gains are commendable, this 210-inch luxury liner’s true pièce de résistance is its opulent rear seating area. Lined in plush fabric, including 100 percent wool, or optional leather, the Century’s two rear seats include power adjustment and built-in massage. The right-rear passenger also enjoys the comfort of a power leg rest. The new Century’s rear compartment also features a giant infotainment display forward of the center console, as well as writing tables and reading lights for working on the move.
Meanwhile, Century drivers benefit from the addition of active safety features such as automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and lane-departure warning.
Although the Century unveiled in Tokyo is considered a prototype, expect the upcoming production model to be nearly identical to it. Unfortunately, we have no reason to believe that Toyota will bring this stately machine to our shores. That’s a shame, because we’d love to see how the Century stacks up against vehicles such as the Bentley Flying Spur and the Rolls-Royce Ghost.
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