Automotive tint corporations hate this one, not-so-simple trick Toyota is utilizing on the Century. No, not the sedan, however the lesser-known SUV it’s been promoting for practically two years. Japan’s reply to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan now has dimming facet home windows for the rear occupants. It is a characteristic we’re used to seeing on sunroofs quite than doorways. The adjustable glass opacity even extends to the quarter home windows for an additional stage of privateness.
So, how does it work? Toyota provides a movie between two clear laminated glass panels. Tokyo-based AGC has developed what it calls the Digital Curtain, particularly for the luxury SUV, claiming it’s the primary time this expertise has been used on door home windows. Voltage utilized to the movie controls the distribution and orientation of fabric inside it, enabling immediate switching between three ranges of transparency.
Photograph by: Toyota
Photograph by: Toyota
The fabric sandwiched between the glass is claimed to be invisible to the attention and blocks as much as 99% of UV rays. Rear-seat occupants can modify the dimming perform, selecting between clear, semi-transparent, and opaque modes. Though this intelligent characteristic was introduced a few years in the past, it is solely now obtainable to order on the 2026 Century in Japan.
You would possibly acknowledge the tech as SPD (suspended particle units), which turn out to be immediately clear when {an electrical} present is utilized. When powered off, the glass stays opaque. AGC describes it like this: “Skinny-film expertise during which particles inside laminated glass turn out to be aligned when {an electrical} voltage is utilized, making the glass construction clear.”
Electrochromic glass isn’t new, contemplating it debuted in 2005 on the Ferrari Superamerica. The tech later appeared on choose Mercedes fashions within the 2010s with AGC’s Magic Sky Management. It has since made its approach into mainstream automobiles, such because the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electrical, the Rafale, and extra lately, the brand new Nissan Leaf crossover. Within the Century SUV, nonetheless, it’s restricted to the facet home windows. The luxobarge’s panoramic sunroof is a standard glass panel, though it does have an electrically operated sunblind.
Photograph by: Toyota
The Century isn’t simply any luxurious SUV. Toyota spends three and a half hours inspecting every car, with remaining checks performed by a single grasp inspector. Unsurprisingly, it’s not low-cost, as pricing begins at 27,000,000 yen ($182,500) earlier than choices are utilized. And sure, these choices are plentiful, together with lace seat covers as a nod to the “actual” Century sedan.
Toyota has additionally been teasing a Century SUV that includes a minivan-style sliding rear door, together with a high-performance Gazoo Racing variant. Firm chairman Akio Toyoda owns the GRMN-badged model, which stays a one-off for now, although he has hinted it might finally attain prospects.
Whereas earlier generations of the Century have been largely restricted to Japan, the SUV can be obtainable in China and will make its technique to different markets.
