Toyota has revealed a striking luxury GT coupé to mark the creation of its new dedicated luxury brand, Century - conceived as a rival to the likes of Bentley and Range Rover.
The new model, revealed at the Tokyo motor show, is the third dedicated Century model – joining the flagship saloon that has been in production since 1967 and the Bentayga-sized SUV that was revealed in 2023 – and the first to go without Toyota badges entirely.
Century has been carved out as a new marque in its own right, sitting alongside Daihatsu, Lexus, Gazoo Racing and Toyota itself as the “pinnacle of the Toyota Group portfolio”.
It will serve as a flagship for the group, selling much more luxurious and lower-volume cars than its sibling brands, with a focus on Japanese craftsmanship and high levels of personalisation.
That in turn will free up Lexus to explore new opportunities in the less exclusive upper-premium market - an ethos that it has previewed with the unveiling of the six-wheeled LS and single-seat Micro LS concepts at the Tokyo show.
The original Century was “a car in a class of its own”, said Toyota chairman Akio Toyota, and the new coupé aims to continue that legacy, with Rolls-Royce mentioned as one key rival.
“I want to cultivate it as a brand,” Toyoda said, “which brings the spirit of Japan out into the world” - although he stopped short of confirming any plans to export the Century saloon, SUV or coupé.
“Since 1967, Century has represented not only the best of Toyota but the best of Japan. And its mission now is to take that celebration of human craftsmanship out into the world, a beacon for the company and the country,” said Toyota’s global design boss, Simon Humphries.
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Can't believe this is being suggested as a RR/Bentley rival. It looks like a Genesis rival at best, which is just Hyundai's version of Lexus, so cannot see how this in any way makes sense