15:43 01-02-2026

Toyota Century Coupe: hybrid V12 luxury with combustion engine

Toyota continues to chart its own course in the ultra-luxury segment. The new Century Coupe, expected by the end of the decade, may feature a hybrid powertrain with a V12 engine, bucking the global trend toward fully abandoning internal combustion engines.

Keeping combustion engines has become part of the brand's philosophy

The Century division was conceived as an alternative to global luxury brands that are betting heavily on electrification. Toyota has deliberately avoided a full shift to electric vehicles, believing that for some buyers, the character, sound, and smoothness of an internal combustion engine remain integral to the luxury experience. That's why the upcoming Century Coupe continues this line, distancing itself from the fully electric flagships of competitors.

Hybrid with new V12 focuses on smoothness

According to Japanese sources, the coupe will get a plug-in hybrid system based on a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12. Total output could approach 800 horsepower, but the key goal of the powertrain is not performance, but maximum ride smoothness and comfort on long journeys. An E-Four all-wheel-drive system and a conventional automatic transmission complement the concept of understated yet technically sophisticated luxury.

Century will remain a niche product

Toyota views Century as a low-volume brand where engineering decisions are made not for the sake of standardization, but for image and durability. The expected price for the coupe could reach 30 to 40 million yen, with bespoke versions costing significantly more. The model's launch is tentatively scheduled for 2027, timed to the 60th anniversary of the Century name, with the primary market remaining Japan.

In practice, the Century Coupe showcases a rare approach in today's automotive industry, where trends give way to tradition and engineering philosophy. The return of a V12 in hybrid form underscores Toyota's commitment to preserving its own interpretation of luxury, without bending to mainstream market expectations.