Toyota Century Convertible Bows At Emperor Naruhito’s Coronation Ceremony

The Toyota Century Convertible has made its official debut during the coronation ceremony of Emperor Naruhito.

The car was prominently featured in a parade that took place yesterday and the model transported the Emperor to the Akasaka Palace on a winding route that saw the convertible hit the streets of Tokyo.

Despite its high-profile appearance, Toyota has remained tight-lipped about it. However, the car closely echoes the standard Century and features a retractable roof and a modified rear end. Previous reports have also suggested the convertible has been equipped with unique rear seats that are 1.6 inches (40 mm) higher than on the sedan. This helps to get onlookers a better look at their Emperor.

Also Read: One-Off Toyota Century Convertible Is Fit For An Emperor

Since the convertible is largely identical to the sedan, it likely uses a hybridized powertrain that consists of a nickel-metal hydride battery, an electric motor and a 5.0-liter V8 engine. This setup gives the Century a combined output of 425 hp (317 kW / 431 PS).

Reports have suggested the Century Convertible is the royal family’s first new ‘parade car’ in 30 years and replaced a 1990 Rolls-Royce Corniche that was only used on two occasions. Regardless, we’re going to see a lot more of the convertible in the coming months as it’s expected to transport Emperor Naruhito to high-profile events such as the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. The car is also expected to be put on display when not in use.