Toyota has shown off several new concept cars from across its brands as part of a presentation discussing the car company’s future.
As part of the event, Century – which was previously the model name for a luxury limousine – has also been confirmed as the flagship brand within the Toyota Group universe, rather than a luxury model line.
Among the concepts were a sporty Century coupe-style SUV – complete with forward-sliding doors – plus a tiny Daihatsu city car, several Toyota vehicles designed for developing markets, and a six-wheeled electric people mover called the Lexus LS.
Until now, the LS nameplate was reserved for the range-topping Lexus limousine, but the concept appears to have solidified the place of luxury people movers above traditional sedans.
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Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda co-hosted the candid presentation, and pointed out that while the Lexus LM people mover is based on the Toyota Alphard, the LS concept was designed from the ground up for Lexus.
Viewers were also shown front and rear images of a new Toyota Corolla concept – with the popular hatchback adopting squared-off front and rear ends with full-width LED light signatures, mated with a streamlined cabin.
While many believed the presentation would host the reveal of the company’s new twin-turbo V8 halo model, only a sample of the supercar’s engine noise was heard – alongside the Lexus LFA and Toyota GT, which are considered the company’s pinnacle sports car products.
The Japanese auto giant also revealed its latest slogan: ‘To You – Toyota’.
Designed to provide greater clarity to its buyers, the new Toyota brand hierarchy was displayed in a circular chart showing Century at the top, Lexus below on one side, Gazoo Racing – the company’s performance arm – on the other side, and Daihatsu at the bottom as its entry-level brand. Toyota was central, but sat below GR and above Daihatsu.
Part of the presentation included a film showcasing the reach and popularity of Toyota vehicles globally, with several of the cars filmed in Australia.
The live-streamed event is expected to be a preview of concepts to be shown at the Japan Mobility Show, to be held in Tokyo from October 29 to November 9.
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