Toyota Century Royal

The Toyota Century Royal is the official state car currently used by the Emperor of Japan.

It is a specially prepared Toyota Century, a one-off US $500,000 (¥52,500,000) custom car. The car was produced at the request of the Japanese Imperial Household Agency, to be used by senior members of the Imperial House of Japan. This special version has wool cloth upholstery, internal granite entry steps and Japanese rice paper headlining for the passenger compartment, as well as undisclosed security measures. The front passenger compartment is upholstered in leather.

Five vehicles were originally ordered, but due to the individual cost for each, only four were built, include a hearse. The suspension consists of double wishbones for both the front and rear wheels, supplemented by air bag support springs. The engine used is shared from the second generation Toyota Century 5.0 L-V12 with horsepower limited to 280 PS.

This vehicle replaced the fleet of two 30 year old Nissan Prince Royal limousines that were beginning to show their age, when one recently broke down while in service. The Century Royal is exclusive to the Imperial Household and was presented for service July 7, 2006. When the Emperor is riding inside, the Imperial Standard, known as the Imperial Seal of Japan is displayed at both the front and rear of the car in place of a license plate, and on the exterior of both rear passenger doors, displaying a 16 petal chrysanthemum, in golden colour, in reference to the Chrysanthemum Throne of Japan.

The limousine stretches around 20 feet in length and 6.5 feet across, and is the same length as a Maybach 62 and both longer and heavier than a 2003 Rolls Royce Phantom. The emperor was previously driven in a Nissan Prince Royal(1967–2008), Cadillac Series 75(1951–1970), Mercedes-Benz 770 W07 Series(1932–1968), Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost(1921–1936), Daimler(1913–1927).

The Prime Minister of Japan travels in a conventional Toyota Century or Lexus LS 600hL, escorted by a police motorcade which comprises numerous Toyota Celsiors.