£135k Toyota Century SUV makes public debut at Tokyo motor show
The Century SUV has been developed specially for chauffeur driving
Luxury 4x4 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 4x4 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