Japan's New Emperor Orders Custom Toyota Century Convertible
With his request for a custom Toyota Century convertible, Emperor Naruhito demonstrates that he intends to shake things up in his reign over Japan!
First-Ever Toyota Century Convertible
On the 30th of April 2019, Naruhito, the eldest son of former Emperor Akihito of Japan, became the 126th Emperor of the nation after his father abdicated the throne. As is the custom in Japan, the Emperor is driven in Japan’s official state car – the Toyota Century. In a particularly patriotic country like Japan, only an indigenous automobile manufacturer can provide the country’s most venerated car, and so Toyota, being the most established Japanese car manufacturer, has had the privilege of designing and producing Japan’s official state cars for years.
Moreover, Naruhito, who is accustomed to riding in even more premium limousines like Rolls Royces, has to ride a custom-made Toyota Century during his enthronement ceremony that is likely to be on the 22nd October 2019. He does, however, have the authority to customize his Toyota Century, and that is exactly he has set out to do. Naruhito has ordered a first-ever Toyota Century convertible – one that is likely also to have many modern innovations and conveniences that may not have been offered in prior models of the Century.
Breaking Tradition
The Toyota Century has seen few changes since it started been produced in the 1960s, and all the Emperors it has served have used it in stock form. So it's needless to say, Naruhito’s request for a custom-built Toyota Century convertible has raised quite a few eyebrows. However, given Naruhito’s liberated and outgoing character, it is not hard to see how he came up with the idea. Naruhito is an adventurous person who enjoys hiking, jogging, and mountaineering in his spare time. He is also quite musical, his primary instrument of choice being the violin. Therefore, it makes sense that he would want to break from the norm and get a state car that enables him to enjoy the elements.
Photo Courtesy of The Washington Post
>>Join the conversation about Japan's emperor's new Toyota Century right here in the forum.
The Century Looks Every Bit Like An Emperor’s Car
With a rank like his, Naruhito doesn’t need a flashy, techy, or glitzy luxury car. He needs a stately, dignified, and authoritative vehicle that still exudes luxury and elegance. And that is what the Toyota Century provides. This car features a prominent "infinite loop" grille that is crowned by a phoenix emblem that takes six weeks to craft. Sophisticated all-LED headlights and foglights complement this grille.
>>Join the conversation about Japan's emperor's new Toyota Century right here in the forum.
The Rear Makes Quite An Impression
The body of the new Century is also purposefully designed with character lines that run down both flanks. These lines have been fashioned using a customary Japanese chamfering method known as "kichomen." At the back, the Century boasts a majestic, clean-cut rear fascia with LED taillights. The decklid also gets the phoenix emblem.
>>Join the conversation about Japan's emperor's new Toyota Century right here in the forum.
Luxurious Interior
Naruhito is also in for a treat on the inside of the Toyota Century. Like most other Toyota Century models, his customized Century is likely to feature an interior trimmed with soft-touch, top-grade wool, which will make for a warm and super-comfortable interior. However, he may opt for a leather-trimmed interior like the ones that he is accustomed to.
>>Join the conversation about Japan's emperor's new Toyota Century right here in the forum.
Hi-tech Convenience
Naruhito and whoever else he will ride with will also be treated to a wide range of hi-tech conveniences. A seven-inch touchscreen in the armrest will enable him to adjust the seats’ massage functions, the climate control system, the curtains, and the stereo. He is also going to be able to enjoy entertainment from a 20-speaker audio system and an 11.6-inch, full-color, high-resolution screen that is centrally positioned behind the front row seats.
>>Join the conversation about Japan's emperor's new Toyota Century right here in the forum.
Plenty of Power
And lastly, among the impressive features of the Toyota Century is the hybrid V8 power. The powertrain pairs a 221-horsepower electric motor with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that makes 375 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. The combined output of this hybrid engine comes to 435 horsepower and approximately 597 lb-ft of torque.
>>Join the conversation about Japan's emperor's new Toyota Century right here in the forum.
For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair project, please visit our how-to section in the forum.