I had a thought wondering if there was ever a V12 JDM car produced for road-going use, and after some discussion with Van of GrandJDM, he pointed me to the 1997 Toyota Century Limousine - the only Japanese FR V12 powered car.

Being the inquisitive sort, I decided to take a look at this immense beast in some detail, and discovered yet another JDM car with a tonne of history and character.

About the Century

Named in homage to the 100 year anniversary of Japan becoming an open, trading country, the iconic Toyota Century began production in 1967, built by under contract by Toyota by Kanto Auto Works, Ltd. One of the largest JDM cars of its type, the first generation of the car surprisingly remained essentially the same for the following 30 years till the second generation in 1997.

Almost all Toyota Century’s are painted black, and all are FR layout based, luxury full size 4 door sedans with 3 or 4 speed automatic transmissions. The first generation (1967-1997) Toyota Century was based on the Toyota Crown, and so the 1967 model carried an upgraded version of the Toyota 3V 2.6L v8, bored to 3.0L. Following years would see upgrades to the 3V till its retirement in favor of the 3.4 L 4V-U V8 (1973), and 4.0 L 5V-EU V8 (1982).

It wasn’t till the second generation Century in 1997, that the car would receive the V12. The most expensive luxury car in the Japanese market received the 206KW (276HP) 1GZ-FE V12, a considerable power jump from the outgoing 5V-EU’s 140KW (187HP) and also received a new 6 speed automatic transmission. It received a bevy of other features such as, electrically closing and opening doors, and massaging rear seats, but stylistically the interior and exterior remained almost identical to the 1967 model that started the namesake.

The Century is a very low volume car, and while not strictly handmade, the car is scrutinized as if it was handmade, and hence the quality is extremely high. Considered a tasteful and conservative sign of wealth and success, the car does away with a flashy show of chrome, gold and platinum (often leather is discarded for quality cloth) to reflect complete conservatism and hence traditional Japanese restraint and manners.

Made to order, the Century is also a car of choice for the Japanese Imperial family who ride in one of five specially customized of the Century aptly named the Century Royal.

Technical Specifications

1st Generation (1967- 1997)

Chassis Codes:

• VG20 (3.0L 3V)
• VG30 (3.4L 4V-U)
• VG40 (4.0L 5V-EU)
• VG45 (4.0L 5V-EU)

Engines : (Note the ‘V’ is not an indication of valve number)

• 3.0 L 3V (1967)
• 3.4 L 4V-U (1973)
• 4.0L 5V-EU (1982)
• All engines: EFI 16-valve OHV V8. Standard unleaded petrol.
• Consumption: 16.3L/100kms combined.

Transmissions:

• 3 speed automatic (Floor shift, unknown designation)
• 4 speed automatic (1973, Floor shift, unknown designation)

Suspension (1982):

• Front: McPherson strut shaped spring system
• Rear: Lateral rod attaching 4 link spring system

Dimensions:

• Width: 74.4 in (1890 mm)
• Height: 57.1 in (1450 mm)
• Length: 201.6 in (5120 mm)
• Wheelbase: 112.2 in (2860 mm)
• Curb Weight: 3885 lb (1760 kg)

Other Features:

• Dual air conditioner
• ABS
• Power front and rear seats
• Optional leather

Second Generation (1997- Present)

Chassis Code:

• GZG50

Engine:

• 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12, VVT-i, EFI 48-valve DOHC. Regular unleaded.
• Power: 276HP/206KW @ 5300RPM
• Peak Torque: 355 ft?lbf (481 N?m) @ 4000RPM
• Consumption: 13.8L/100kms combined

Transmission

• 4 speed automatic (ECT-i)
• 6 speed automatic (ECT-i)

Suspension

• Front and rear double wishbone type air spring

Dimensions:

• Width: 74.4 in (1890 mm)
• Height: 58.1 in (1475 mm)
• Length: 207.5 in (5270 mm)
• Wheelbase: 119.1 in (3025 mm)
• Curb Weight: 4393 lb (1990 kg)

Other Features:

• Rear fog lamp
• ABS
• TCS (Traction Control)
• Optional leather
• Dual air conditioner
• Central locking
• Power windows
• Telescopic, tilting steering wheel
• Power front and rear seats, with massage function on the rear
• In-car navigation
• Driver, passenger side airbags.
• Power steering
• Self opening and closing doors with contact latch close

Popularity: 37% [?]

To all interstate and local Adelaide Japanese car lovers, a new event is on the horizon! Here’s the low down, straight from the horses mouth:

What is All Japan Day?

Sick and tired of car shows that spend so much time promoting themselves that they’ve forgotten all about the cars?

So was the All Japan Day organising committee! We decided to band together and create a simple event that ‘got back to basics’ and allowed entrants and spectators to do what they love doing best - just admire and talk about the sensational cars on display. By keeping it simple, we’ve also kept the costs down, which has benefited both entrants and spectators.

We are very excited about our inaugural event on 27 April 2008 and we hope its success will encourage suitable entrants from interstate (maybe even overseas? Mazda please send us a 787B racer!) in future years.

So, come and enjoy us for a relaxing day out and be dazzled by some of Australia’s finest Japanese automobiles.

So for those of you in Adelaide who love Japanese cars, head over to the All Japan Day website to learn about becoming an entrant and spectator.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Rumors have been flying about a new performance oriented Toyota sports car hitting the performance scene for a considerable time now, from an AE86 revival to a new Supra, but perhaps no one expected news that these shadowy rumors would coalesce into the forgotten Celica GT-4.

The last model Celica. Will we see styling cues from this?

But perhaps even more surprising is the rumor that the car will be engineered to a large degree by Subaru. In November Toyota confirmed rumours of a new sports car and Celica replacement, with the sports car being a collaboration between Subaru and Toyota, and now it seems the car is the performance model of the Celica line. However, the new car will not come with a Toyota bred turbo four in the tradition of the (somewhat) underpowered motor of the old model - instead it’s going to be carrying a Subaru Boxer turbo, most recently seen in the all grown up Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

The new model is said to come in two distinct performance variants. First, the base ‘GT’, packing a front engined, RWD drivetrain and naturally aspirated 2.0L 4 cylinder Boxer (most likely from the Impreza RX), designed to slide in under the $20,000 bracket. Secondly the full fat GT-4, which carries the new JDM STi’s 224KW (300HP) Boxer turbo and AWD system standard, with Motor Trend claiming the engine will be closer to the cars firewall in order to facilitate the installation of in-wheel electric motors to help with traction.

The GT and GT-4 will be built in in coupe and three-door hatch variants, but no five door variants because of Toyota and Subaru not wanting to compete in the Impreza’s arena, which is rather tongue in cheek considering this new car will inevitably be seen as either a Impreza in Toyota clothing, or as direct competition by tuners. This begs the question then; will the new GT-4 be a real contender in the hotly contested price for performance bracket? Will the Toyota be lighter, faster, and more capable than the new STi? Would Subaru shoot themselves in the foot, and does it matter considering Toyota’s widening stake in Subaru?

Does this mean Subaru will become more and more the performance arm of Toyota? Time will tell, but we certainly hope not.

Popularity: 51% [?]

We love the Toyota Supra, particularly the MKIV’s awesome curves and potent 2JZ-GTE forged twin turbocharged inline 6 cylinder. So we’d thought we’d celebrate by rounding up our top 10 favourite online videos of the Mark IV Supra in all it’s glorious RWD action.

Turbo Dreams Video

Popularity: 30% [?]

Compliance for the 2002+ ST246W (Gen 3) Caldina Sports wagon has just become available in Australia, a few short months after the second generation became available in August this year. The ST246W runs the same 3S-GTE 2.0L 4 cylinder DOHC turbo and 4WD platform as the previous generation.

Prestige Motorsports prices for the Caldina start at AU$20,000 for a 02/03 model with ~60,000kms. The 2006/2007 will set you back around $30,000. Considerable value for money for this great turbo family wagon.

[Source: Prestige Motorsport]

Popularity: 45% [?]