Electric Cars

Toyota is embarking on an ambitious journey to elevate its prestigious Century brand onto the global stage, aiming to position it as the ultimate expression of luxury within its extensive portfolio, even surpassing Lexus. Historically revered as Japan's quintessential chauffeur-driven limousine since its inception in 1967, the Century marque has long been synonymous with the nation's elite, primarily serving the domestic market with its limited production.

The strategic shift commenced in 2023 with the unveiling of a Century SUV model, marking a significant evolution from its traditional sedan form. This expansion effectively transformed Century into a distinct sub-brand, establishing its hierarchical superiority over Lexus. Indications of Toyota's intent to globalize this ultra-luxury division are becoming increasingly apparent.

A notable instance of this global ambition was Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda's recent arrival in Detroit aboard a Century SUV. Despite the model not being officially retailed in the United States, Chief Technology Officer Hiroki Nakajima's comments to Bloomberg underscored Century's classification as a global vehicle, expressing a keen interest in gathering insights from international automotive industry leaders. This signals a clear exploration into broader market availability.

While the V6-powered Century SUV has already established a presence in markets such as China and select regions in Asia and the Middle East, with Toyota actively assessing further expansion, the V8 sedan variant remains predominantly rooted in Japan, upholding its legacy as the definitive executive vehicle. Toyota's clear objective is to penetrate an exclusive segment of the ultra-luxury market, allowing Lexus to maintain its focus on a wider luxury consumer base. Toyota explicitly states that Century represents the pinnacle of its offerings, a move that grants Lexus greater autonomy in forging its own brand identity.

Toyota's commitment to evolving the Century marque beyond a niche offering is evident through its conceptualization of a high-riding coupe last year. This concept, a notable departure from the traditional chauffeur-centric sedan, demonstrates Toyota's readiness to innovate and break away from historical constraints, hinting at a more diverse and flamboyant future for the brand.

This bold venture positions Century alongside formidable competitors in the ultra-luxury sector, such as Rolls-Royce under BMW, Bentley within the Volkswagen Group, and Maybach from Mercedes-Benz. Toyota intends to carve out its unique niche, leveraging Century's deep roots in Japanese craftsmanship and understated elegance, even as new designs explore more expressive aesthetics. The challenge lies in introducing a brand with a historically domestic focus to discerning international clientele, convincing them that Century merits a place among these established titans of luxury.

Although the Century's powertrain details for the coupe remain under wraps, Toyota has indicated that not all future models will be electric, sparking speculation about the potential reintroduction of the V12 engine, a feature uniquely present in the second-generation Century sedan. This ambitious global repositioning of Century is largely attributed to Akio Toyoda's vision, who advocated for its independence after perceiving its presence alongside other Toyota models at the 2024 Japan Mobility Show as undermining its exclusive standing.

Despite the challenges of global market entry, Century benefits from a nearly 60-year heritage as Japan's supreme luxury vehicle. Toyota is now poised to amplify this legacy on a grander scale. The world's reception to a brand positioned above Lexus remains to be seen, yet Toyota's decision to bring Century into the international spotlight is a compelling development.

Aston Martin introduces the 2027 DBX GT, a luxurious SUV emphasizing comfort and elegance. This model distinguishes itself from the sporty DBX S with unique styling elements and refined performance enhancements, offering a sophisticated driving experience.

Under the hood, the DBX GT retains the formidable twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine, producing an impressive 717 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. This power is seamlessly transmitted to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The vehicle also features significant braking capabilities with carbon-ceramic discs, measuring 16.5 inches at the front and 15.4 inches at the rear. Furthermore, Aston Martin has meticulously recalibrated the suspension, refined the throttle response for greater precision, and optimized gear shifts for enhanced smoothness, ensuring both dynamic prowess and superior comfort.

Refined Aesthetics and Enhanced Comfort

The 2027 Aston Martin DBX GT showcases a refined exterior and an emphasis on a comfortable driving experience, setting it apart from its more aggressive sibling, the DBX S. Aston Martin has focused on subtle yet impactful design changes to elevate the vehicle's luxurious appeal. The front grille now features elegant horizontal bars, replacing the sportier mesh design found on the DBX S, which contributes to a more sophisticated and less overtly athletic appearance. The vehicle also sports new 22-inch wheels with a distinguished Satin Titanium finish, alongside a polished and satin metal side strake on the front fender, adding to its exclusive visual signature.

Beyond its visual upgrades, the DBX GT is engineered to deliver a more serene and refined journey. The exhaust system has been retuned to produce a "cleaner and richer" sound profile, enhancing the auditory experience without compromising on the vehicle's inherent power. The introduction of carbon-ceramic brakes, with substantial discs measuring 16.5 inches at the front and 15.4 inches at the rear, ensures exceptional stopping power and a reassuring sense of control. These design and comfort-focused modifications collectively aim to provide a luxurious and polished driving experience, appealing to those who seek both performance and high-end refinement in an SUV.

Performance and Handling Optimizations

The 2027 Aston Martin DBX GT maintains a robust performance foundation while introducing significant enhancements to its driving dynamics and overall handling. Powering this luxury SUV is the same potent twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine found in the DBX S, generating an impressive 717 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. This formidable output is managed by a sophisticated nine-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth and rapid gear changes, and is distributed to all four wheels for optimal traction and stability in various driving conditions. The standard fitment of Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season tires provides versatile grip, with an option for Pirelli P-Zero summer tires for drivers seeking heightened warm-weather performance.

Aston Martin has meticulously retuned the suspension system of the DBX GT to prioritize a smoother and more compliant ride, aligning with its comfort-focused mandate. This re-calibration aims to absorb road imperfections more effectively, translating into a more refined cabin experience. Furthermore, the throttle pedal has been optimized to offer a more precise and intuitive feel, allowing for finer control over the vehicle's substantial power delivery. The gear shifts have also been made smoother, ensuring a seamless acceleration curve and a less jarring experience during transitions. These collective adjustments underscore Aston Martin's commitment to delivering a powerful yet exceptionally refined and comfortable high-performance SUV.