From 1967 to the High-End Future
Ah, the Toyota Century—the luxury sedan that’s been polishing its tiara since 1967. Initially created to celebrate the hundredth birthday of Toyota’s founder, Sakichi Toyoda, this vehicle has transformed into a symbol of wealth and luxury in Japan. Not just any car, it’s the go-to for high-profile company officials who relish in the art of being chauffeured around like royalty.
The Birth of a Standalone Brand
Fast forward to the future, and Toyota is spinning off the Century into its own high-end brand, aiming to hit the sweet spot between Lexus and illustrious names like Rolls-Royce and Bentley. At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, the automotive world got a sneak peek of what’s to come. But hold onto your hats, folks; this luxury brand won’t be rolling out as many electric vehicles as the green brigade had hoped. You can expect more of that visceral, roaring powertrain excitement that’s become a rare jewel in the automotive crown!
Internal Combustion Reigns Supreme
Despite the ever-growing buzz around electric vehicles, Takashi Uehara, Toyota’s powertrain boss, confirmed that the brand’s first vehicle will have an internal combustion engine. And before you clutch your pearls in shock, he assured us, “Yes, it will have an engine.” Speculations hint at a V8 engine, though we can only drool over possibilities for now since the exact details are still under wraps. The Century has long been the proud owner of a V12 engine, but ever since the third-generation embraced a V8 hybrid, it seems to be a game of musical chairs with powertrains!
As we await more news from Toyota’s luxurious playground, one thing’s for certain—the Century brand is revving up to make a stylish mark on the ultra-luxury market, even if it’s refusing to jump on the fully electric bandwagon just yet.
