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Toyota has pulled the covers off its CenturyIdea, its first automobile since plans have been introduced for Century to develop into a full-fledged model – and a ardour mission of Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda, designed to reinvigorate Japan.
The beforehand Japan-only Century nameplate’s new international ambition was introduced by Toyoda-san earlier this month, when it was additionally established as one of many automaker’s 5 core manufacturers alongside Daihatsu, Toyota, Gazoo Racing Sport, and Lexus.
This sees Century positioned because the ‘pinnacle of luxurious throughout the Toyota household of manufacturers’ – above Lexus – as a ‘considered one of one’ bespoke model in a position to go ‘head-to-head with Rolls-Royce and Bentley’ and set tendencies, not observe them, as ‘like no different’.
Proven within the flesh on the 2025 Tokyo motor present, no particulars got on when a manufacturing model of the idea will eventuate, or the place the Century model might be bought exterior of Japan.
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The Century identify has been in use by Toyota since 1967, solely on a flagship rear-wheel drive sedan favoured by the Imperial Home of Japan and political and enterprise leaders, earlier than an SUV – sharing its platform with the Toyota Kluger – was revealed in 2023.
The idea revealed at this week’s present encompasses a larger experience top than a typical coupe and, much more unusually, sliding doorways that come out and transfer electronically alongside its flanks.
There’s additionally been no phrase on what is going to energy the brand new Century. The Century SUV encompasses a plug-in hybrid V6 powertrain, whereas the Century sedan makes use of a V8 hybrid and earlier than that was the one Toyota to make use of a V12 petrol engine.
That’s tipped as the rationale why even the legendary Lexus LF-A supercar used a V10 engine and didn’t run a V12.
Every Century is to be made-to-order underneath the model’s ‘One-for-One’ philosophy, with Toyota confirming clients will be capable of specify their autos with pure supplies and particulars together with ‘Ari-tsugi’ wood joinery.
The idea automotive was revealed alongside a sporty GRMN model of the Century sedan – one thing that was beforehand a one-off constructed for Toyoda-san – plus a Century SUV with a novel matte black exterior and orange inside.
In Tokyo, Toyoda-san introduced the wild, muscular idea personally, which was completed in a vibrant 60-layer Amber paintwork to symbolize Japan because the nation of The Rising Solar, with a heartfelt reflection on the function Japan – and its auto business – performs on the planet.
The primary Century was created with a aim to encourage and set up a reputable automotive business in Japan – which has been overwhelmingly achieved.
“‘It’s not nearly making vehicles. With Japanese concepts and abilities, we should create an vehicle business for Japan.’ These have been the phrases of Kiichiro Toyoda,” mentioned Akio Toyoda.
“‘I need to construct a democratic, automotive-industrial nation, contributing to Japan’s peaceable rebuilding and to world tradition.’ These phrases have by no means left me.”
Reflecting on each his household and Century model lineage, Akio Toyoda took a broader perspective on why 2025 is the time for the ‘phoenix’ to return, the Century a automobile he says was “born with Japan on its shoulders”.
“The ‘Japan as Quantity One’ period is behind us, and we at the moment are in what has come to be often called ‘The Misplaced 30 Years,” mentioned Toyoda-san.
“Japan as a nation appears to have misplaced a few of its vitality and dynamism, together with our presence on the planet … If Kiichiro and [original Century engineer, Kenya] Nakamura may see Japan immediately, what would they are saying?”
“I believe they wouldn’t say something, and as a substitute leap straight into motion … I imagine now greater than ever, we want the Century.”
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