Toyota releases new version of its exclusive Century luxury vehicle

Toyota is releasing a new version of its exclusive luxury vehicle, the Century, but it will only be available in Japan, a Bloomberg posting said.

The Century is so exclusive it can't be bought in a dealership; it's offered only by special invitation and costs a little more than $100,000, the posting said.

The Century debuted in 1967, and the newest Century, only its third remake, looks much like the original version but with a slightly different front-end angle and a thicker rear pillar to make back-seat occupants less visible, since such vehicles are mostly driven by chauffeurs, the posting said. The interior looks much the same as the original as well, decked out in wood grain, privacy curtains and wool velour seats.

The third-generation Century is powered by a hybrid V-8 engine, replacing the distinctive V-12 in earlier models, the posting said.

An infotainment display has been added for back-seat occupants; another screen in the armrest adjusts cabin temperature and the massage or reclining functions in the back seats. Lexus safety technology is available to the driver. The car, over all, clings to tradition rather than trends, as its used often by statesmen, dignitaries and even the Japanese emperor, the posting said.