by Toyota Shows Century Coupe Concept
Toyota unveiled a sleek concept model, the Century Coupe, at the Japan Mobility Show in October, marking a new chapter for its premium brand. The Century model, previously known primarily in the domestic Japanese market, is now transforming into a separate ultra-luxury sub-brand with global ambitions to compete with Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
The concept undoubtedly inspires admiration, however, from some angles its proportions may seem somewhat unusual. The car is a tall two-door coupe, whose outlines resemble more of a crossover. Nevertheless, thanks to certain adjustments, it has every chance of becoming a worthy alternative to, for example, the Rolls-Royce Wraith.
Visual Improvements from a Designer
Designer Kelsonik undertook a digital redesign of the concept, specifically by lowering its ground clearance. This seemingly minor change radically improved the car’s appearance, giving it more refined and clear proportions characteristic of a true premium product.
Eager to overhaul the stance of the Century Coupe, designer Kelsonik has taken the original concept and digitally lowered the ride height, a change that works wonders for the car’s design.
Another important detail was the move away from black wheel arches in favor of arches painted in the body color. This allowed for a cleaner and more aristocratic silhouette. The massive black wheels were replaced with silver multi-spoke ones, similar to those installed on Rolls-Royce or Bentley. Also, the bright orange color from the presentation gave way to a restrained silver one, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the coupe.
The Model’s Future and Interior Features
Despite Toyota confirming the creation of a separate Century brand, the fate of this particular coupe concept remains uncertain. A production version is entirely possible but will likely undergo significant changes.
One of the most unusual features of the concept is the cabin layout. It has a place for the driver but completely lacks a front passenger seat. On the rear row, there is only one passenger seat on the passenger side.
This configuration means the rear passenger, who would be chauffeured around, has loads of legroom, ensuring the Century Coupe would be well-suited to both short and long journeys.
This configuration provides the passenger in the rear seat, who would be chauffeured, with enormous legroom, making the car comfortable for both short and long trips.
Possible Options for Series Production
If Toyota does decide to put the Century Coupe into production, the model could receive one of two options. The first is a specialized two-seater car that would retain the concept’s unique layout. The second, more traditional option is a four-seat configuration, similar to that offered by the Rolls-Royce Wraith or Bentley Continental GT, with a full-fledged cabin for all passengers.
The transformation of Century into a separate brand opens new horizons for Toyota in the world of ultra-luxury cars. The coupe concept, despite its experimental nature, clearly demonstrates the direction of development: a combination of Japanese vision with details that meet global luxury standards. The success of this initiative will depend on how successfully the bold design decisions can be adapted for series production while preserving the same aura of exclusivity and high status that the concept imitates.
