Toyota has embarked on a clandestine mission to revolutionize the automotive industry by transforming its flagship luxury sedan, the Toyota Century, into a sophisticated and opulent SUV. This audacious undertaking aims to create the most extravagant and expensive SUV, surpassing even the renowned Toyota Land Cruiser.
The aspiration is to position this new SUV in direct competition with the distinguished super-luxury SUVs like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga. While initial reports speculated about this development, Toyota has now confirmed its intention to make substantial modifications to the Toyota Century, as reported by Carscoops.
Simon Humphries, the Chief Branding Officer of Toyota Motor Corp., made the significant announcement during the unveiling of the new Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire this past weekend. He hinted at a captivating surprise awaiting enthusiasts by the end of 2023—a remarkable addition to the Toyota Century family.
“The Toyota Century is a vehicle that offers an extraordinary experience, particularly for those who prefer being chauffeured. However, as we progress into the future, this car also needs to evolve. By the end of this year, I am eager to introduce new innovations to our esteemed lineup,” expressed Simon Humphries enthusiastically.
During his statement, Toyota briefly showcased a silhouette of the vehicle that Simon Humphries alluded to. The outline revealed striking changes to the dimensions of the Toyota Century. The body has grown larger, the engine hood extended, and a new pillar, known as the D pillar, has been incorporated. These alterations signify the transformation of the sedan into a remarkable SUV.
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According to Carscoops, earlier reports this year unveiled that the Toyota Century SUV would be built on the TNGA-K architecture, a platform already employed in various Toyota SUV models such as the Toyota Highlander and the Lexus TX. Similarly, the three prominent twin MPVs, Toyota Takni, Toyota Alphard, Toyota Vellfire, and Lexus LM, also share this platform. Thus, Toyota possesses abundant resources to create a super-luxury SUV of extraordinary caliber.
In terms of the powertrain, Toyota is anticipated to replace the existing V8 engine in the Toyota Century with hybrid technology, aligning with the current industry trend. The speculated engine configuration is a combination of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with dual electric motors.
As for the pricing, Carscoops suggests that the Toyota SUV, poised to compete with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga, will be available for approximately 15 million yen or roughly Rp. 1.5 billion. This extravagant vehicle will not only be accessible in the Japanese market but also globally.
Undoubtedly, the introduction of the Toyota Century SUV will be an exciting and significant development. Within the realm of super-luxury SUVs, no Japanese automaker has yet made a formidable impact. Currently, the market is dominated by the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga, but Toyota’s ambitious endeavor seeks to redefine the landscape and establish itself as a prominent contender.