Let’s be honest: the ultra-luxury car world has been a British monopoly for decades. Rolls-Royce with its ghostly silence, Bentley with its thunderous roar – they’re icons, but also dusty relics from an era of petrol-guzzling monsters and cigar-scented leather. Then Toyota rolls in with the Century Coupé Concept. Not as a timid contender, but as a samurai wielding an electric sword, ready to storm the throne.
This coupé is no gimmick. It’s the first move in Toyota’s plan to turn Century into a full-fledged super-luxury brand, positioned above Lexus. Yes, you read that right: above Lexus. While the rest of the world is still wrestling with outdated V12s, Toyota is future-proofing itself. The existing Century lineup – sedan since 1967, SUV since 2023 – already runs on advanced plug-in hybrids with a 3.5-litre V6 delivering a silky 406 hp. But this coupé? With its sleek lines and hidden vents, it hints at more: a fully electric version is surely in the pipeline, backed by Toyota’s battery mastery for silent acceleration and zero emissions.
Look at the design. A two-door coupé with no B-pillar, suicide doors that swing open like magic for effortless entry. The front passenger seat slides fully forward so you – the VIP in the back – can settle in like royalty. A partition keeps the driver at bay, 26-inch wheels glide like trophies beneath the bodywork, and the interior? Bespoke down to the finest detail, with no fewer than sixty layers of paint for a shine that would make the sun jealous. Oh, and don’t forget the dedicated umbrella compartment – because true luxury doesn’t just rain metaphorically.
And the competition? Rolls-Royce and Bentley can swallow their afternoon tea. While Rolls’ Spectre is an electric promise but still quintessentially British-eccentric, and Bentley clings to its turbo W12s, the Century delivers Japanese craftsmanship: reliable, refined, and primed for electrification. This is chauffeur-driven luxury at its finest – you recline with a sake in hand while the car drives itself. Toyota is targeting Asia and the US first, but Europe? It’s only a matter of time. The Japanese already overtook the Germans in hybrids; now it’s the Brits’ turn.
What makes this so thrilling? Toyota’s Century isn’t a copycat. It’s a rebirth of a legend, created to honour founder Sakichi Toyoda’s centennial. And with the EV revolution in full swing, I predict this coupé will soon glide more silently than a Rolls, yet with the reliability only Toyota can deliver. No breakdowns on the way to the golf club, no CO2 tax headaches – just pure, electric bliss.
In short, the Century Coupé proves luxury no longer needs to be British. It’s Japanese, it’s future-ready, and it’s about to shake up the market.
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