Toyota Century
Manufacturer	Toyota Motor Company
Production	1967–present
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door sedan
Platform	FR
Similar	Mercedes-Benz S600 BMW 750il Nissan President

The Toyota Century is a large four-door limousine produced by Toyota mainly for the Japanese market. Production of the Century began in 1967 and the model received only minor changes until a redesign in 1997. This second-generation Century is still sold in Japan, with some exports to Asian countries, notably Hong Kong where it is used as the official transportation for the Chief Executive, replacing the Daimler Limousine and Rolls-Royce Phantom VI of the British Governor. Image File history File links GZG50 Century File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Automakers or automobile manufacturers are companies that design and manufacture automobiles. ... Toyota Motor Corporation (in Japanese: トヨタ自動車株式会社; Toyota Jidōsha Kabushikigaisha; TYO: 7203. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... It has been suggested that Vehicle size class be merged into this article or section. ... 2001 BMW 750iL A full-size car is a term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car, usually having a wheelbase greater than 2. ... A luxury car is a relatively expensive car. ... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... A Toyota Camry, a recognizable sedan The Ford Five Hundred, a full-sized sedan The 3-box design, indicative of a notchback sedan, as illustrated on a full-size luxury sedan. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... In automobile design, an FR, or front-engine, rear wheel drive means a layout where the engine is in the front of the vehicle and drive wheels at the rear. ... The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the common description for a series of large luxury flagship sedans produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of DaimlerChrysler. ... 2001 BMW 750iL The BMW 7-Series is a luxury saloon (sedan) made by BMW. It replaced the New Six models in 1977. ... The Nissan President is a Japanese luxury limousine introduced by Nissan in the 1960s and sold only in the Japanese market. ... Look up limousine in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Toyota Motor Corporation ), or Toyota is a Japanese multinational corporation and the worlds second largest[3] automaker making automobiles, trucks, buses, robots and providing financial services through its division Toyota Financial Services. ... This article deals primarily or exclusively with the definition of Asian in English-speaking countries, mainly referring to immigrants or descendants of immigrants living therein. ... Chief Executive may refer to: Chief Executive of Hong Kong Chief Executive of Macau Chief Executive Officer This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Daimler DS420, popularly known as the Daimler Limousine, dates back to 1968. ... The Phantom VI was an ultra-exclusive Rolls-Royce model from the 1970s and 1980s produced in London at Mulliner Park Ward. ... Governor of Hong Kongs Flag, 1959–1997 The Governor of Hong Kong (Traditional Chinese: ; abbreviated 港督) was a British official who ruled Hong Kong during the colonial period between 1841 and 1997 and was ex-officio Commander-in-Chief and Vice-Admiral of Hong Kong. ...

The Century is produced in limited numbers and is built in a "nearly hand-made" fashion. It is often used by royalty, government leaders, and executive businessmen. The Century is comparable in purpose to the Austin A135, ZIS/ZIL, Chinese Red Flag, and Maybach limousines. Zavod Imeni Likhocheva (ЗиЛ, ZIL, Russian: Likhachov Factory) was an automobile factory, which manufactured armored cars for most Soviet leaders, as well as trucks, buses and tanks. ... FAW seen near Peoples Square in Shanghai. ... Several Maybach 57 and 62 models at the 2005 Concours dElegance in Pebble Beach, CA. Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH (IPA: ), founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl, was a German manufacturer of engines for Zeppelins and later, large and luxurious automobiles. ...

1st Generation (1967–1997)

Modified first-generation Toyota Century (VG40) showing bippu modifications.

The original Century was based on the 1964 Toyota Crown, which featured the 2.6 L V8 Toyota 3V engine. The 1967 Century was equipped with an upgraded version of this engine, the 3.0 L 3V. 1973 saw the introduction of the 3.4 L 4V, and the engine was once again changed to the 4.0 L 5V in 1982. Note that the 3V, 4V, and 5V do not refer to the number of valves in the engine; they denote models in the line of Toyota V engines. There is also a L-Type stretched version of the Century, length is 5270mm with a wheelbase of 3010mm. Image File history File links CENTURY_40_F-Vf. ... Image File history File links CENTURY_40_F-Vf. ... Modified first-generation Toyota Century (VG40) showing typical bippu modifications. ... The Toyota Crown is a line of full-size luxury sedans by Toyota. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... Toyota Motor Corporations V family of engines were a longitudinally mounted V8 engine design. ...

The 1st generation Century remained largely untouched during its 30-year production run. Although minor cosmetic changes and engine upgrades occurred throughout its lifespan, the commercial longevity of the Century chassis is nevertheless impressive.

Chassis codes

• VG20: 3.0 L 3V V8
• VG30: 3.4 L 4V V8
• VG40: 4.0 L 5V V8
• VG45: 4.0 L 5V V8 (L-Type)

Toyota Motor Corporations V family of engines were a longitudinally mounted V8 engine design. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ...

2nd Generation (1997–present)

The Century received a complete redesign in 1997, although the new model was visually very similar to the old. This current model is powered by a 280 PS 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12, initially with a 4-speed automatic, and then a 6-speed "intelligent" transmission. It also features air suspension and a factory LPG gas option, enabling the 2-ton car to be classed as a low emission vehicle. The Century remains the first and only Japanese front-engine, rear-wheel drive production car equipped with a V12. Toyotas V12 engine. ... A V12 is an internal combustion engine with 12 cylinders in V configuration. ... In automobile design, an FR, or front-engine, rear wheel drive means a layout where the engine is in the front of the vehicle and drive wheels at the rear. ... A V12 is an internal combustion engine with 12 cylinders in V configuration. ...

The Century has been Toyota's most luxurious model since its inception in 1967. In fact, it is placed above the Toyota equivalents of Lexus offerings in Japan. The Century is distinguished by different color options than the rest of the Toyota lineup. Lexus is the luxury vehicle [] division of Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. ...

Like other cars in the top of the luxury class, the Century is designed with a chauffeur in mind. Hence, the rear seats recline and the front passenger seat has a fold-down center section so that a passenger in the back may stretch his feet forward.

The Century is priced at ¥11,130,000 or approximately US$94,500 (as of 2006). The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Although the Century is not exported outside Japan in large numbers, it is used frequently by officials stationed in overseas Japanese offices.

In contrast to other luxurious cars (such as the Maybach or a Rolls Royce), the Century has not been positioned and marketed as a sign of wealth or excess. Instead, the Century projects an image of conservative achievement. Marketing literature states roughly that, "the Century is acquired through persistent work, the kind that is done in a plain but formal suit." This image drove a good deal of the 2nd generation design as a traditional and tasteful update of the original. Several Maybach 57 and 62 models at the 2005 Concours dElegance in Pebble Beach, CA. Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH (IPA: ), founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl, was a German manufacturer of engines for Zeppelins and later, large and luxurious automobiles. ... Rolls-Royce car may refer to vehicles produced by: Rolls-Royce Limited (1906-1973) Rolls-Royce Motors (1973-2003) Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (2003-present) // Rolls-Royce cars Rolls-Royce Limited vehicles 1904-1906 10 hp 1905-1905 15 hp 1905-1908 20 hp 1905-1906 30 hp 1905-1906...

Chassis codes

• GZG50: 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12

Toyotas V12 engine. ... A V12 is an internal combustion engine with 12 cylinders in V configuration. ...

External links

• Official Site (Japanese Only)
• Century for Japanese Imperial Household