Toyota Century

Toyota Century
Production period:	since 1967
Class :	Upper class
Body versions :	limousine

Toyota Century (1995)

The Toyota Century (ト ヨ タ ・ セ ン チ ュ リ ー) is a large, four-door sedan manufactured by Kanto Auto Works, Ltd. is manufactured on behalf of Toyota primarily for the Japanese market. Production began in 1967 and there were only minor changes to the model for 30 years. It was not fundamentally revised until 1997. Century was chosen because the year of launch coincided with the 100th birthday of Sakichi Toyoda , founder of Toyota Industries. It is written in Japaneseセ ン チ ュ リ ー and pronounced as in English . When it was introduced in 1967, the car had a V8 engine. When it was revised in 1997, it was replaced by a V12 engine only used in this model. The Century has been on the market as a V8 Hybrid since its third edition.

The Century is practically made by hand in only small numbers. It is used by the Prime Minister of Japan , ministers, senior government officials, and business leaders. The imperial family used - presumably armored - vehicles called Toyota Century Royal , four of which were delivered. In terms of its character, the Century is comparable to the ZIL / ZIS in Russia , the Chinese Hongqi or the Rolls-Royce in Great Britain. The Century was originally equipped with rear-view mirrors mounted on the front fenders, as cars had to have rear-view mirrors that had to be visible through the windshield. Later it could also be delivered with "normal" side mirrors, which have been standard since the 2018 model.

The Century has no sporting ambitions, but is designed in all aspects for comfort and smoothness. The Century's exterior has remained unchanged from its launch until 2018, despite some minor improvements, because it is considered a "symbol of conservative success". Usually the car is painted black. The seats are - in accordance with the Japanese sense of luxury - mainly equipped with woolen covers. The rear window and the rear side windows have electrically operated lace curtains. Touted as the car to be earned through a life of hard work in a simple but correct suit, the car is the only Toyota that does not have the usual three-oval logo, but a stylized gold one Chicken (鳳凰) symbolizing the Japanese imperial family . There is also a logo with the letter " C " on the C-pillar .

The closest comparable competitor in Japan is the Nissan President . In the early years of the century (1960s and 1970s) it also shared its reputation with the Mitsubishi Debonair .

1st generation (1967–1997)

Century 1st generation
Toyota Century (1967)
Production period:	1967-1997
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Gasoline engines: 2.6-4.0 liters
Length:	5120-5270 mm
Width:	1890 mm
Height:	1450 mm
Wheelbase :	2860-3010 mm
Empty weight :	at least 1760 kg

Toyota Century: revised front section (from 1982)

The first Century was based on the 1964 Crown Eight which had a 2.6 liter V8, Toyota 3V type. In 1967 a revised version of this engine with 3.0 l displacement was installed. In 1973 came the 3.4-liter V8, type Toyota 4V-U, and in 1982 the change to the 4.0-liter V8, type Toyota 5V-EU. The designations 3V, 4V-U and 5V-EU do not say anything about the number of valves, but refer to the generations of the Toyota V engine. There was also a long version of the Century, the Century L , whose wheelbase was 3010 mm and its length was 5270 mm.

The Century first generation remained essentially unchanged for 30 years. In 1982 the Century received a detailed bodywork; however, the style of the original vehicle was retained. In addition to minor cosmetic changes, there were also improvements to the engine.

Changes in the first generation

• 1971 : The automatic climate control was introduced.
• 1973 : The electromagnetic door locks and the rear lights were changed and the car got disc brakes at the front.
• 1975 : The previously standard manual transmission was no longer available.
• 1982 : Revised front end and fiber optics - Multiplex Technology
• 1987 : In the type D there was a center shift lever instead of the steering wheel gear and the front bench gave way to individual seats.

Chassis codes

• VG20 : 3.0 l-V8, type 3V, 1967–1973
• VG21 : 3.4 l-V8, type 4V-U, 1973
• VG30 : 3.4 l-V8, type 4V-U, 1973–1977
• C-VG30 : 1977
• E-VG35 : 1978-1982
• VG40 : 4.0 l-V8, type 5V-EU, 1982–1997
• VG45 : long version, 4.0 l V8, type 5V-EU, 1990–1997

Century limousine

This is a version that has been extended by another 500 mm and has a total length of 5770 mm compared to the long version. The Century Sedan was available in the Type H and Type S versions and only with a partition between the front seats and the rear bench.

Century Hybrid with gas turbine

A Toyota Century with a GT45 gas turbine and electric motor was shown at the 1975 Tokyo Motor Show as the Century Gas Turbine Concept Vehicle .

2nd generation (1997-2017)

Century 2nd generation
Toyota Century (1997)
Production period:	1997-2017
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engine : 5.0 liters (206 kW)
Length:	5270 mm
Width:	1890 mm
Height:	1475 mm
Wheelbase :	3025 mm
Empty weight :	from 1990 kg

Toyota Century

In the style of its predecessor: the rear of the 1997 revised Century

In 1997 the Century was completely redesigned, even if the new model looked very similar to its predecessor. This model is powered by a 5.0 l V12 engine, type Toyota 1GZ-FE, with an output of 206 kW. Originally the car had a four-speed automatic. Later he got a 6-stage "intelligent" automatic. He also has air suspension. The Century is the only Japanese production car with a V12 engine .

The Century has been Toyota's most luxurious model since its inception and has maintained that status throughout its production history. Even today, it ranks above Lexus models, making it Toyota's most luxurious and prestigious model. The Century comes in its own color palette.

Since 2006 he has also had Toyota's G-BOOK navigation system as standard .

The Century is designed for rear seat passengers like hardly any other luxury car. The rear seats slide back and the back of the front passenger seat has a central section that can be folded away so that the rear seat passengers can stretch their legs. The rear seats are equipped with a massage system. The outer door handles open the doors electrically, as the mechanical noise when opening the door was perceived as "too annoying". The doors don't have to be slammed either; it is sufficient for them to have light contact with the lock for them to be electrically tightened.

The interior is usually ordered in wool and not in leather, as the smell of leather is not perceived as being so pleasant in Asia and the wool offers even greater seating comfort. The car can be ordered in any interior color desired by the buyer; the most popular colors, however, are medium brown, burgundy red or royal blue, each with a black finish. A white lace curtain is usually attached to the rear window.

The Century costs 11,445,000 ¥ (approx. 85,000 euros, 2009 value). In comparison, the price for the most luxurious Lexus LS 460 is 10,000,000 ¥ (approx. 74,000 EUR, value from 2009) and for the Lexus LS 600h L 15,000,000 ¥ (approx. 111,000 EUR, value from 2009).

Although the Century is not exported in large numbers, it is occasionally seen because it is frequently used by government officials stationed abroad.

The Century is deliberately not advertised as a symbol of wealth and abundance. The marketing literature puts it something like this: "You get to a century through hard work, the way you do it in a simple but elegant suit."

Changes in the second generation

• 2005: 6-speed automatic
• 2008: Digital TV as standard

Chassis codes

• GZG50 : 5.0 l-V12, type 1GZ-FE, since 1997

Technical specifications

model	5.0
Number of cylinders	V12
Displacement (cm³)	4996
Max. Power (kW / PS)	206/280 at 5200
Max. Torque (Nm)	460 at 4000
Top speed (km / h)	-
Transmission (standard)	6-stage automatic (previously 4-stage automatic)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h)	-
Combined consumption (l / 100 km)	13.2 p
Combined carbon dioxide emissions	305 g / km
Tank capacity	95 L

3rd generation (since 2017)

3rd generation
Production period:	since 2017
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto hybrid : 5.0 liters (280 + 165 kW)
Length:	5335 mm
Width:	1930 mm
Height:	1505 mm
Wheelbase :	3090 mm
Empty weight :	2370 kg

Toyota presented the third generation in October 2017 at the Tokyo Motor Show . In contrast to the previous model, the Century is no longer powered by a V12 gasoline engine, instead a five-liter V8 gasoline engine, which is combined with an electric motor , is used. Toyota states that the system output is 317 kW (431 hp). The sedan has only been sold in Japan since June 2018.

Century Royal (since 2006)

Century Royal
Production period:	since 2006
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engine : 5.0 liters (206 kW)
Length:	6155 mm
Width:	2050 mm
Height:	1770 mm
Wheelbase :	3025 mm
Empty weight :	2920 kg

A special version , called the Toyota Century Royal , was built for the Japanese imperial family to be used by their senior members, similar to the British royal family's Bentley State sedan . This special version has a wool upholstery, running boards made of granite and a headliner made of Japanese rice paper . Five were originally ordered, but because of the high cost, only four were eventually built. The model replaced the 30-year-old Nissan-Prince-Royal- Pullman sedans, which were already showing signs of old age when one broke down while driving. The Century Royal may only be used by the imperial family.

Technical specifications

model	5.0
Number of cylinders	V12
Displacement (cm³)	4996
Max. Power (kW / PS)	206/280 at 5200
Max. Torque (Nm)	460 at 4000
Top speed (km / h)	-
Transmission (standard)	6 automatic levels
Acceleration (0-100 km / h)	-
Combined consumption (l / 100 km)	13.2 p
Combined carbon dioxide emissions	305 g / km
Tank capacity	95 L

gallery

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  Toyota Century (1982)

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  Toyota Century (1982): The rear of a car registered in Germany

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  Toyota Century (2007)

• 

  A Toyota Century at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Mitsubishi Motors History : Mitsubishi Debonair ( Memento of the original from September 22, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English) 
2. ↑ ^{a b} Electronics Parts . Toyota. 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
3. ↑ Toyota brochure from the Tokyo Motor Show 1975 (Japanese)
4. ↑ Schreffler, Roger & Chrasler, Mack: Lexus Slowly Progressing in Japan, WardsAuto.com, Ward's Dealer Business, December 28, 2006 ( Memento of the original from September 26, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English) 
5. ↑ No more twelve-cylinder but the classic look remains

Web links

Commons : Toyota Century  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

• Toyota Century Official Website (Japanese)
• Toyota Century Royal (Japanese)
• Toyota concept vehicles (English)
• Tokyo Motor Show 1975 (English)