Toyota Century
| Toyota Century | |
|---|---|
_(cropped)).jpg) |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Production | 1967–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car |
| Body style | 4-door limousine |
| Layout | FR layout |
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1967–1997 |
| Assembly | Japan: Susono, Shizuoka (Higashi Fuji plant) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door limousine |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Length |
|
| Width | 1,890 mm (74.4 in) |
| Height | 1,430–1,460 mm (56.3–57.5 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,760–1,830 kg (3,880–4,030 lb) |
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1997–present |
| Assembly | Japan: Susono, Shizuoka (Higashi Fuji plant) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door limousine |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Toyota Century Royal |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12 |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,025 mm (119.1 in) |
| Length | 5,270 mm (207 in) |
| Width | 1,890 mm (74 in) |
| Height | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,990 kg (4,390 lb) |
| Toyota Century Royal | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door limousine |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Toyota Century |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12 |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic (6 Super ECT) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,510 mm (138 in) |
| Length | 6,155 mm (242.3 in) |
| Width | 2,050 mm (81 in) |
| Height | 1,770 mm (70 in) |
| Curb weight | 2,920 kg (6,440 lb) |
The Toyota Century (Japanese: トヨタ・センチュリー) is a large four-door limousine produced mainly for the Japanese market, serving as Toyota's flagship car within Japan; whilst globally the unrelated Lexus LS series is Toyota's flagship luxury model outside Japan. Production of the Century began in 1967 and the model received only minor changes until a redesign in 1997. The Century derived its name from the 100th birthday of Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota Industries. The Century was available with only a V8 engine, the third Japanese built sedan post-war, at its introduction in 1967 until a major redesign in 1997, and is now only available with a Toyota built V12, an engine unique to the Century. Although the Century is a premium, full size luxury sedan, it is not available at Japanese Lexus dealerships; it can only be purchased at specifically identified Toyota Store locations. The logo used throughout is called the Hō-ō 鳳凰 or Fushichō from Asian mythology, representing the Imperial House of Japan.
The exterior styling of the Century has, with some modifications, remained unchanged since its introduction, primarily due to its perceived social status as the "preferred vehicle denoting conservative success". Its appearance is iconic in Asian countries, usually painted black. The closest Japanese competitor is the Nissan President, with a similar reputation, although during the 1960s and '70s, the high market positioning was also shared with the Mitsubishi Debonair. The Century briefly saw other Japanese competitors introduce large sedans called the Isuzu Statesman de Ville and the Mazda Roadpacer (derived from General Motors-Australia products) which were short-lived.
The original Century was based on the 1964 Crown Eight, which featured the 2.6 L V8 Toyota 3V engine, and appeared almost two years after the October 1965 introduction of the Nissan President with a 4.0 L V8. The 1967 Century was equipped with an upgraded version of the Crown Eight engine, the 3.0 L 3V. 1973 saw the introduction of the 3.4 L 4V-U, and the engine was once again changed to the 4.0 L 5V-EU in 1982, with the installation of fuel injection, and the installation of emission control technology Toyota called "TTC". Note that the 3V, 4V-U, and 5V-EU do not refer to the number of valves in the engine but simply denote model names in the Toyota V engine range.
...
Wikipedia