I have posted a TLV Century before - but that one was in black. Should I ever import one from Japan - it will have to be silver, like this one:
Toyota isn’t interested in selling this car to you or me. People like us - gaijin - simply wouldn’t “get it”. It is meant for wealthy Japanese people who wish to display their adherence to traditional, conservative Japanese values. People who like to ride in the back of their cars, surrounded by nothing but silence and serenity.
And to that end, even leather seats are not usually welcome. Too noisy, you see. This car usually has wool cloth upholstery. Of course, you may order leather - but really only Hotels do that - because it is easier to clean.
You can also order it in any colour you want - but the vast majority are ordered in black. Silver and burgundy are sometimes also requested - but anything else is virtually unheard of.
Like other cars in the top of the luxury class, the Century is designed with the rear passengers 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 rear seats are equipped with a massage system. The exterior door handles open the doors electrically since the sound of the door being opened mechanically is perceived as being “too obtrusive”. The doors do not need to be closed directly, instead the door only needs to contact the latch, causing the door to pull itself completely closed electrically.
This is only the second generation Century since 1967! And even then, the design hasn’t changed all that much. This generation has been on sale since 1997 - and the big news there was the introduction of an all-new V12 engine - still the only ever Japanese car to be thus equipped. That engine is exclusive to the Century and not available in any other Toyota - despite annual production being only around 600 units. And it isn’t even the most expensive Toyota available.
The Japanese Royals have their custom made Century cars, of course. Featuring granite door sills and rice paper headlining. As you would.
(I even nicked the text from my previous Century post - sorry!)