Should you had been a Japanese businessman or high-ranking politician over the previous couple of many years, chances are high you had a Toyota Century luxurious saloon to whisk you round. Now, Toyota has unveiled an SUV to take a seat alongside the saloon and it appears like there will probably be a scorching GRMN variant and even a drop-top Century cabriolet within the fullness of time.

Toyota claims the brand new Century SUV will nonetheless provide the “dignity, quietness, and journey consolation befitting a Century.” Nevertheless, at a world premiere occasion Toyota introduced a GRMN Century on stage and an image of a cabriolet. Just like the common Century limousine and SUV they received’t be bought within the UK. 

The Century’s popularity for luxurious in a sublime three-box limousine bodystyle is well-known and it definitely appears just like the SUV will proceed this pattern for opulence in a contemporary physique model.

Together with the Century SUV’s measurement, a beginning value of 25m yen in Japan (round £135,000) makes it a rival for big luxurious SUVs just like the Mercedes GLS and BMW X7. The Toyota takes a special method to luxurious than is the norm on this class although, simply because the Century limousine did in competitors with the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Sequence.

Toyota calls the Century SUV a ‘chauffeur automotive’ however in the event you do end up on the helm there’s a plug-in hybrid 3.5-litre V6 offering “exhilarating acceleration efficiency” – precise efficiency figures haven’t been revealed but. The hybrid 5.0-litre V8 possibility from the saloon hasn’t been carried over. There’s additionally four-wheel steering, all-wheel drive and Toyota claims torsional rigidity has been over the saloon – though we’re certain most Century SUV house owners will hardly really feel these modifications from the again seat. 

Inside, the steering wheel options the Century badge fairly than a Toyota one and there’s a big infotainment display on the sprint taken from Lexus, however there are nonetheless bodily switches and buttons for the local weather controls and different core capabilities.  

The SUV is a four-seater fairly than a five-seater just like the limousine and Toyota has clearly centered on giving back-seat passengers a simple time when getting out and in. The doorways open to an unusually vast 75-degree angle and there’s a beneficiant aspect step.

The GRMN model we’ve seen makes use of sliding doorways for even simpler entry and this will probably be an possibility on the usual automotive. To assist differentiate it because the sportier mannequin, the GRMN additionally will get black trim items on the outside, bespoke wheels, crimson brake calipers and a two-tone paint job with the decrease part in black. It’s not recognized if the GRMN will obtain extra energy than the usual automotive. A cabriolet Century was additionally teased through the Century’s unveiling which, in contrast to the drop-top variations of the Volkswagen T-Roc and Vary Rover Evoque SUVs, retains the rear doorways.

When you’re at the back of the Toyota Century SUV you’ll discover absolutely reclinable seats and a bespoke audio system aided by noise-reducing clear laminated glass that separates the cabin aspect from the cargo space. There are additionally TV screens for the rear passengers in addition to a central fridge.

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