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Toyota will announce the new Century Crossover, an ultra-luxury, top-of-the-line SUV, in August 2023 and go on sale in October 2023. Toyota would like to offer a lineup of premium SUV models that are widely available overseas.

About Toyota’s new Century Crossover

A newly developed platform called the second generation TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) GA-L platform and multi-link front and rear suspension (electronically controlled air suspension with AVS function (vehicle height switching function)) mounted. Achieves a smooth and high-quality ride. The “Century Crossover” is equipped with a newly developed plug-in hybrid system “THSⅡ Plug-in” that satisfies the needs at an advanced level. Equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine + motor, continuously variable transmission, and direct 4-wheel drive system . Total maximum output 406hp (303kW/412PS). During acceleration, the high-output motor and power control unit work together to quietly deliver abundant power and powerful torque. The model’s electric-only range is expected to be 53km. It uses the next-generation Toyota Safety Sense, which can detect bicycles during the day and pedestrians at night .

About the exterior of Toyota’s new Century Crossover

The overall length and wheelbase are long, giving it a solid feel. Adopts a headlamp that integrates three projector-type headlamps and an LED array AHS. The rear combination lamp uses three-dimensional lenses that emit linear light, with the image of “Japanese light.” The iconic “Phoenix” emblem at the center of the front was carefully carved by hand by a craftsman over a period of about a month and a half using a mold, vividly depicting the undulations of the dynamic wings and the delicate expression of the feathers.

About the interior of Toyota’s new Century Crossover

The long wheelbase emphasizes space in the rear seats, providing plenty of knee and legroom for passengers. A touch-type LCD multi-operational panel is installed in the center armrest, allowing for centralized control of the seats, air conditioning, audio volume, etc. It is equipped with comfortable equipment that can be used in a variety of situations, from business to private, including a writing table, reading lamp, rear seat entertainment system with large display, and 20-speaker premium audio.

Toyota’s new “Century Crossover” expected specifications

spec	new century crossover
full length	5,435mm
full width	1,980mm
Overall height	1,505mm
Wheelbase	3,090mm
engine	3.5L V6 engine + motor
Maximum output	-kW(-ps)/-rpm
Maximum torque	-Nm (-kgm)/-rpm
Motor maximum output	-kw (-ps)
motor maximum torque	Nm (-kgm)
Maximum system output	406hp (303kW/412PS)
Mission	Electric continuously variable transmission
Drive system	FR
WLTC mode fuel consumption	12.0km/L
price	Approximately 21 million yen

Is there a reason to include Toyota’s new top-of-the-line SUV “Century Crossover” in the lineup?

Toyota’s current SUV lineup includes compact models such as “Rise,” “Yaris Cross,” and “C-HR,” middle-class models such as “Corolla Cross,” “RAV4,” “Harrier,” and “Crown Crossover,” and large-sized models such as “Land Cruiser Prado” and “Land Cruiser.” lineup. Toyota currently has more SUV lineups than other companies, but is it worth adding a new ” Century Crossover” to the lineup?

There are only cross-country SUVs in the large class.

We introduced the lineup earlier, but all of Toyota’s large-class SUV models are actually cross-country SUVs, and the body structure is based on a newly developed platform called the ( GA-F platform ) that uses a ladder frame. This model is suitable for running on rough roads and was developed with driving on unpaved roads such as deserts and rocky areas in mind. In other words, although it is largely an SUV, it is similar to the crossover SUV that is widely recognized today. Like many passenger cars, it has a monocoque body, provides a comfortable ride and is quiet, and there are no large models equipped with a hybrid system.

platform	Toyota
GA-B platform	aqua
GA-B platform	yaris
GA-B platform	Yaris Cross
GA-B platform	Sienta
GA-B platform	GR Yaris
GA-C platform	prius
GA-C platform	Prius PHV
GA-C platform	corolla sport
GA-C platform	corolla touring
GA-C platform	corolla
GA-C platform	C-HR
GA-C platform	corolla cross
GA-C platform	Voxy
GA-C platform	Noah
GA-K platform	camry
GA-K platform	Avalon (model not released in Japan)
GA-K platform	RAV4
GA-K platform	RAV4 PEHV
GA-K platform	harrier
GA-K platform	Harrier PHEV
GA-K platform	Highlander (model not released in Japan)
GA-K platform	Sienna (model not released in Japan)
GL-F platform	land cruiser 300
GL-F platform	Tundra (model not released in Japan)
GA-L platform	crown
GA-L platform	MIRAI
GA platform	Gran Ace
e-TNGA platform	bZ4X

The base will be the GA-L platform, but there is no doubt that it will have more luxurious specifications than the Crown series.

TNGA	Toyota	lexus
GA-B platform	Yaris Cross	BX/LBX (unreleased)
GA-C platform	C-HR	UX
GA-C platform	corolla cross	–
GA-K platform	harrier	NX
e-TNGA platform	bZ4X	RZ
GL-F platform	land cruiser 300	LX
GA-K platform	crown crossover	–
GA-K platform	highlander	RX
GA-L platform	century crossover

Is an SUV model appropriate for the name “Century”?

The Century is primarily intended for use as an official/company car (executive car) in government offices and companies in Japan, and has been designed with an emphasis on comfort, including spacious rear seats and ease of getting in and out. It is designed to entertain passengers and is used as a royal car and a car exclusively for the Prime Minister, so there must be some resistance within Toyota to adding it to the lineup as an SUV model. When company president Akio Toyoda announced the new car, he said, “ I want to make a GRMN version of the Century ,” so only one car was made, but it is thought that the hurdles are even higher since it has not yet been released.

The conclusion is that the “Century Crossover” will be released as a new “top-of-the-line SUV” that is not based on the current “Century”.

I’ve thought about a lot of things so far, but it seems like it might not be an SUV based on the current third-generation Century . The current Century’s platform is not Toyota’s latest TNGA, but an optimized version of the 4th generation Lexus LS (long body car) for the new Century, and does not use the current TNGA platform. It is a little unnatural to convert a car model into an SUV. If it is a top-of-the-line model with a monocoque body, it seems natural to adopt the GA-L platform. Finally, in conclusion, it is certain that Toyota cars have space for large-sized crossover SUVs, so there is a possibility that the latest “top-of-the-line SUV” will be added to the lineup!