The The Toyota Century is one of those truly fascinating cars that Japan occasionally produces, often so unsuited to European tastes that it's bewildering - but deeply lovable as a result.
Think of it this way: could you ever envisage anybody buying, over the past 20 years, a V12-engined Toyota saloon? Exactly. But that's the joy of cars like the Century: because they can and because there's an infinitesimal domestic niche to satisfy, the Japanese manufacturers see no reason to stop.
The 5.0-litre petrol engine in the second-generation Century was Toyota's first V12; the only front-engined, rear-wheel-drive V12 Japanese car ever and - as far as we can tell - was only ever used in the Century. That kind of obsessive dedication to refinement is cool - if a V12 is the smoothest configuration available, one will be made for the Century.
Sadly, with the third-generation car (yes, really, the first gen lived for 30 years from 1967, the second for two decades from 1997) Toyota has finally seen fit to dispense with the anachronism. Apparently even a Century cannot escape environmental pressures, and the new model now gets a direct injection 5.0-litre V8 with some hybrid assistance. This being Toyota, the maker insists it is pursuing "the lowest fuel consumption in its class." But, really, what competes with a Century?
Additional tweaks include a longer wheelbase, wider tracks and a decrease in "the height difference between the scuff plate and floor" to the benefit of rear-seat passengers. There's also a new range of safety equipment such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, both no doubt handy on a car that's 5.3m long. And yes, that really is a wool interior...
In fact, the cabin is worth a more detailed look. It features a writing table for crying out loud! Note too the heather-patterned upholstery to emphasise space, the LCD control panel for rear seat passengers, the adjustable leg-rests (!) and the 20-speaker stereo system.
All this wrapped up in a body that, despite the introduction of LED lights, a new grille and straighter C-pillars (in case you hadn't noticed already), couldn't be anything but a Century. What a marvellous thing. It will make its debut at the Tokyo show later this month, and presumably find its way to the homes of Japan's ruling class moments later.