Toyota Century SUV
Makes Historic International Debut with Surprising Price Tag
The Toyota Century, a longstanding symbol of Japan’s automotive prestige, has officially made its international debut with a surprising twist. First introduced in 1967, the Century has long been the epitome of luxury in Japan. It is known for its chauffeur-driven sedans, favored for their comfort and dignified design. After three generations of sedans, Toyota broke tradition last year by unveiling an SUV variant that maintains the brand’s signature elegance while offering the spaciousness typical of SUVs.
What sets the Century SUV apart isn’t just its design and the fact that it’s the first model to be sold outside Japan. For its international debut, Toyota chose China as the first market, signaling its bold intentions to take on the luxury SUV segment on a global scale.
Chinese Market Price is Nearly Double the Japanese Price
Toyota recently began full-scale sales of the Century SUV in the Chinese market. Sales in China are conducted through Toyota Motor China Investment (TMCI). The price is approximately 1.98 million yuan(about $272,959). Converted to Japanese yen, this is equivalent to 42.09 million yen (about $272,516), which is surprisingly close to twice the price in the Japanese market.
In China, the Century SUV commands a higher price than its competitor, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, which sells for around 1.83 million yuan ($252,280). Interestingly, Lexus dealerships, rather than Toyota’s stores, will handle sales of Century SUVs in China, reflecting the unique position of Toyota’s overseas dealerships, which have yet to handle luxury models.
A Focus on Exclusivity and Service
As this is the first luxury model to be introduced overseas, Toyota has tried to provide the best sales experience. In the case of the Century SUV, a specialized person called the Century Meister is assigned, departing from the general sales method. In addition to providing a differentiated sales experience to VIP customers, including presentations, he/she is also in charge of after-sales service, including repairs.
The Century SUV is also slated for release in the United Arab Emirates, with the United States potentially on the horizon. If it does arrive stateside, Lexus will likely handle distribution, just as it will in China. The SUV is expected to compete in international markets with luxury heavyweights like the Maybach GLS 600, Range Rover, and Bentley Bentayga.
Standard PHEV Powertrain with Unique SUV Capabilities
The Century SUV is built on Toyota’s front-wheel-drive TNGA-K platform and measures 5,205 mm (204.9 inches) in length, 1,990 mm (78.3 inches) in width, 1,805 mm (71.1 inches) in height, and has a 2,950 mm (116.1 inches) wheelbase. Powering the vehicle is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system, which pairs a 3.5L V6 engine with an e-CVT transmission and Toyota’s E-Four all-wheel-drive system, delivering a total output of 412 horsepower. The Century SUV can travel up to 33 miles (53 km) in pure electric mode.
In terms of interior luxury, the second-row seats stand out, offering ample space, ventilation, massage functions, and individual entertainment systems. The seats also feature folding tables for added convenience. The front seat can be fully reclined up to 77 degrees, allowing maximum comfort. To address the common issue of rear-wheelhouse noise in SUVs, the Century SUV has a soundproof glass partition between the cabin and the trunk, ensuring a quiet ride.
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