SOURCING an appropriate giant automotive to chauffeur vital folks has change into considerably simpler in Japan with the looks of Toyota’s new Century SUV to rival the likes of Bentley Bentayga EWB and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan…. at a fraction the value.
The place the boxy, bus-like Curler and Bentley ultra-luxury SUVs promote for upwards of $A500,000 plus on roads, the equally styled Toyota Century could also be ordered in Japan from a probable ¥25 million ($A266,000) making it the discount of the… Century.
The mannequin has been round for many years in Japan in sedan (limo) type and remains to be a favorite with the Japanese super-wealthy and/or tremendous vital courses… significantly in black and at all times chauffeur pushed. The Century sedan remains to be obtainable model new and can promote alongside the SUV-style newcomer.
No shock then that this SUV-style Century, constructed on a model of Toyota’s world TNGA platform (sure, just like the TNGA-F beneath LandCruiser 300 and Tundra), is concentrated on the final phrase in luxurious… for as much as three passengers, maybe 4.
It’s fascinating to notice that the brand new high-end luxurious mannequin is branded Toyota and isn’t from luxurious Toyota model Lexus.
If examples do make it to Down Below, the brand new Century will nearly actually not be by means of Toyota Australia which has a distinct gross sales focus however may arrive right here by means of so-called JDM (Japanese Home Automobiles) channels… as a gray import.
It’s an imposing automobile that weighs in at almost 2600kg and options an nearly cloned look akin to each the Rolls Cullinan and the Bentayga.
Not what might be termed aesthetically pleasing, the Century little question cossets its occupants in a cocoon of absolute luxurious wanting a first-class capsule on a big passenger plane.
However in response to Toyota, the Century, “Meets the calls for of a brand new age, developed beneath the idea of “The Chauffeur” absolutely embracing the concepts of inheritance and evolution related to the Century, the “new form combines class, consolation, and performance”.
Toyota’s spiel continues… “Century relies on an idea of human-centeredness, the inside house is designed to supply an excellent safer and extra snug journey expertise for rear-seat passengers in addition to the driving force”.
The Century improvement staff deliberated extensively on the path for this new mannequin to make sure clients expertise a stage of hospitality exceeding their expectations. Parameters included the potential to perform as a cell workplace or a respite zone to permit for relaxation and refocusing.
Toyota will supply the brand new Century bespoke… absolutely customisable permitting patrons to basically construct their Century particularly to their very own wants and necessities.
Just like the Curler and Bentley, the Century’s exterior is “immaculately” completed all the way down to the best element within the fingers of grasp craftspeople exemplified within the exquisitely engraved phoenix emblem and the mirror end duco.
4 set-back lamps for every of the headlights and tail-lights give the automobile a particular visage from each ends whereas the inside house is designed to understand snug journey time boasting absolutely reclining rear seats with features that enable rear-seat passengers to actually calm down, together with a refreshment system.
Audio is suitably high-end whereas the rear doorways, that open to a large 75-degree angle onto a sweeping cabin flooring, facilitate simple entry and exit. Handy computerized retractable energy steps and easy-to-grab C-pillar grips additionally help entry for rear-seat passengers.
The cockpit is supplied with features and options for skilled drivers (chauffeurs) and deal with “ease of use”.
Energy comes from a newly developed petrol 3.5-litre, petrol V6 plug-in hybrid AWD system tailored from numerous Toyta and Lexus merchandise that’s mentioned to ship a strong and exhilarating drive really feel whereas retaining a quiet atmosphere.
The plug-in hybrid system is designed to perform as a BEV for on a regular basis use and as an HEV for long-distance journey, making it the “ultimate” powertrain for a chauffeur-driven automobile.
A four-wheel steering system known as “Dynamic Rear Steering” offers simple dealing with at low speeds and seamless, pure dealing with at medium to excessive speeds in addition to offering parking help.
For the final word in plush trip, the Century has a “Rear Consolation” mode for wafting that additionally assists braking management to suppress jolts when the automobile involves a halt.
The physique’s torsional rigidity is uprated according to automobile expectations, efficiency, and weight whereas trip consolation has been augmented with noise-reducing clear laminated glass used on the cabin facet of the cargo house separator to correctly insulate the cabin from the cargo space.
