A V12 Toyota? Luxury sub-brand Century's coming coupe to get V12 plug-in hybrid power to battle Bentley Continental, Aston Martin Vanquish - report

Toyota’s ultra luxury brand Century will build its new Century Coupe with a Rolls-Royce and Bentley chasing twin-turbo V12 hybrid engine in 2027, according to reports.

Late last year Toyota announced its lavish Century brand would become a standalone entity, highlighted by the debut of the Coupe x Chauffeur-driven concept at the Japan Mobility Show in December. Now reports suggest the Century Coupe is headed for production and will arrive within 12 months boasting massive horsepower.

Japan’s Mag X publication is reporting that Toyota’s plans to use a V8 in the Century Coupe have been pushed aside in favour of a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 petrol electric plug-in hybrid system with 600kW.

Add CarsGuide as a preferred source in Google Search

Add CarsGuide as a preferred source in Google Search

How that V12 will be sourced is uncertain. Toyota doesn’t have that engine in its line-up. Some outlets speculate Toyota may achieve 12-cylinder power using two inline BMW six-cylinder engines thanks to the joint venture between the companies, but that’s almost certainly not going to happen.

Toyota’s Century brand is a source of national pride, and the super luxurious vehicles have been used by Japan’s royalty and prime ministers since 1967. Given this, it’s entirely likely Toyota will build its own V12 rather than source it through a third party. 

The last time Toyota built a V12 was for Century in the 1990s, and given the resurgence of the brand it seems fitting that it'll do this again.

Expect a few tweaks before the Century Coupe concept becomes a reality. While it's sleek and stylish, the vehicle’s three-seater chauffeur set-up might not be so practical. The split opening sliding door, while impressive, may also be swapped for traditional hinged doors for production.

2026 Century Coupe

2026 Century Coupe

2026 Century Coupe

2026 Century Coupe

2026 Century Coupe

2026 Century Coupe

2026 Century Coupe

Pricing for the Century Coupe is expected to be close to $400,000, positioning it close to the Bentley Continental GT.

The Century line-up also includes a large SUV that rivals Bentley’s Bentayga.