TOKYO The British royal family might drive around in
Rolls-Royces and Jaguars. But in Japan, the country's number-one
family cruises in Toyotas and Nissans. And it's not the odd Lexus
with a long wheelbase and tinted windows.
On July 7, Toyota delivered the emperor's new car, a Century Royal,
to the Imperial Household Agency at the palace in central Tokyo.
Costing upwards of $460,000, the specially built limo is 20 feet
long, 6.5 feet wide and seats eight. Fitted with Japan's and
Toyota's only 5.0 liter V12 engine, the one-off vehicle replaces
the Prince Royal limo, specially built and supplied by Nissan more
than three decades ago.
Rumored to produce more than 350 horsepower, the Century Royal's
V12 benefits from the latest fuel-efficient, cleaner-emissions
technology. It is also said to be considerably lighter than the
outgoing Nissan Prince Royal, but still employs state-of-the-art
high-tech security measures, bulletproofing and run-flat tires. It
also incorporates environmentally friendly materials inside
including a shoji screen-like paper ceiling, a polished granite
side step for easy entry and large rear windows so the public can
catch longer glimpses of the imperial couple.
The agency currently owns five vehicles and plans to gradually
replace the older cars and reduce the size of the fleet to
four.
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will take their first ride in
the new limo when they attend a memorial service for war veterans
on August 15, the anniversary of the end of World War II.
For those who noticed the number plate, that's right, this car is
the only road-going limo in Japan that does not require a number
plate. Instead, the extra-special limo is adorned with a
gold-plated chrysanthemum badge, which just happens to be the
official crest of the imperial family.
What this means to you: It's good to be king no matter where you
go!!
