Toyota’s new Rolls Royce challenger: This is IT!

Not many would know that Toyota actually sells a hand-built car to rival the Rolls Royces and Bentleys of the world, and it’s been doing this for over 50 years now. Introduced in 1967, the Toyota Century is the name of this car and the Japanese automaker has just launched the 3rd generation of the car in Japan.

The top-of-the-line Century is priced at over 60 million Japanese Yen. In Indian rupees, that’s about Rs. 3.73 crores. Well, while it may still be cheaper than the latest Rolls Royce Phantom, the Century is no less opulent, and for that matter, special.

Only 50 units of the 3rd generation Century will be built each month, and almost all of the cars are meant for the Japanese domestic market. The 2018 Toyota Century is powered by a 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine that generates a peak power output of 376 Bhp. There are two electric motors that have a combined output of 220 Bhp. The total power produced by the hybrid powertrain is about 430 Bhp.

The gearbox is a CVT, in order to give the car total smoothness. With the 4th generation Century, Toyota is said to have gone to great lengths to maintain absolute silence in the cabin, a preserve of Rolls Royces. In fact, the Japanese automaker has used specific parts just to limit the sound and vibration levels from the big V8 petrol motor.

Other major improvements on the all-new Toyota Century include a 65 mm longer wheelbase, which now stands at 3,090 mm. The car floor is 15 mm lower to offer easy ingress and egress. The Century is 5,335 mm long, 1,930 mm wide and 1,505 mm tall.

Safety is another area where the new Century has made great progress. The car is now fitted with a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic lights and road sign recognition, apart from other standard safety features such as airbags, ABS, traction control, hill hold and the likes. Can you get one in India? For now, Toyota has no plans to sell this opulent, hand-crafted luxury barge in India.