The Century brand, positioned above Lexus, makes a bold statement with a new luxury coupé designed to challenge the British elite. We break down the stunning prototype unveiled in Japan.
The Rebirth of Toyota’s Most Exclusive Brand
For decades, the Toyota Century has represented the pinnacle of Japanese luxury, traditionally reserved for government officials and top business leaders. Since its debut in 1967, it remained a stately sedan–until 2023, when Toyota introduced a high-end SUV version. Now, at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, the brand surprises again with a luxurious coupé that redefines what Century stands for and ushers in a new chapter for Japanese craftsmanship.
Century: Above Lexus, Eyeing Rolls-Royce
Now established as an independent marque, Century sits above Lexus at the top of Toyota’s hierarchy. Its ambition is clear: to compete directly with Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the global benchmarks of automotive luxury. The Japanese brand aims to deliver a fully bespoke, handcrafted experience, rivaling the artistry and prestige of its European counterparts. The question is, can Japan truly challenge the masters of luxury on their own turf?
Imposing Design with a Powerful Heart
The Century Coupé prototype remains officially unnamed, and it’s unclear whether it’s a concept car or a near-production model. It borrows the dual headlight design from the SUV, but beyond that, it’s a completely fresh creation. Its imposing stance evokes comparisons with the Rolls-Royce Spectre, though unlike the fully electric British coupé, the hood vents on the Century clearly hint at a combustion engine. Experts suggest it could feature a plug-in hybrid V6, similar to the SUV’s setup, while the legendary naturally aspirated V12–used in the second-generation Century from 1997 to 2017–is unlikely to return.
Haute Couture Interior with Asymmetric Doors
Inside, the Century Coupé showcases cutting-edge luxury and design innovation. It features four individual seats, a yoke-style steering wheel, a minimalist infotainment screen, and a central divider that separates both rows. The absence of B-pillars makes access easier, while its asymmetric door layout–two doors on the passenger side and one on the driver’s–recalls the Hyundai Veloster, albeit with far more elegance. Perhaps the most controversial element is the lack of a rear window, a daring design choice reminiscent of Polestar’s minimalist styling.
The Future of Japanese Luxury
While still a show car, the Century Coupé signals Japan’s determination to claim a place at the very top of the luxury automotive world. The production version will likely feature more traditional doors and structural pillars, but it will retain its majestic, handcrafted essence. Toyota hasn’t confirmed launch details yet, but one thing is certain: the Century will continue to represent the absolute peak of Japanese luxury, a worthy contender to the grand tourers of Europe.
George Russell says Formula 1’s 2026 regulations have forced him to completely rethink his driving style, describing the adjustment as the toughest challenge of his career.
George Russell has admitted that adapting to Formula 1’s 2026 regulations has become one of the biggest challenges of his racing career. The Mercedes driver says the combination of new cars, power units and tires has forced him to abandon driving habits developed over the past two decades.
After entering the season as one of the championship favorites, Russell now finds himself chasing teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who leads the standings after the opening nine rounds.
A New Generation of Cars Requires a New Driving Style
Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Russell explained that the latest Formula 1 machinery demands a completely different approach behind the wheel.
The British driver compared the process to trying to recreate a masterpiece without experience, saying that changing instincts built over 20 years is far more difficult than simply knowing what needs to be done.
George Russell says the 2026 Formula 1 cars require a completely different driving style.
From Instinct to Constant Thinking
Russell revealed that one of his greatest frustrations is having to consciously think about every aspect of his driving instead of relying on instinct.
For most of his career, speed came naturally through subconscious reactions. Under the 2026 regulations, however, he must constantly evaluate whether his traditional driving style will work or if he needs to adjust his technique for each circuit and condition.
That mental process, he says, has become one of the biggest obstacles to consistently extracting maximum performance from the Mercedes.
The Mercedes driver is working to adapt to Formula 1’s new technical regulations.
Turning New Habits Into Second Nature
Russell believes the ultimate objective is to make these new techniques feel as natural as the driving style that carried him through the junior categories and into Formula 1.
He acknowledged that he understands exactly what changes are required, but transforming those adjustments into automatic reactions will take time. Until then, adapting to the new generation of Formula 1 cars remains his biggest challenge in the fight for the 2026 championship.
Russell hopes the new driving techniques will eventually become second nature.
The Mercedes driver remains confident that continued experience with the 2026 cars will allow him to unlock their full potential, but admits the learning process is unlike anything he has faced during his career.
Isack Hadjar has confirmed he will start from the back of the grid at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix due to a power unit penalty, shifting his focus to race pace at Spa-Francorchamps.
Isack Hadjar has confirmed he will start from the back of the grid for the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix after taking a new Red Bull-Ford power unit. The Racing Bulls driver revealed the penalty ahead of the Spa-Francorchamps weekend, knowing that his attention will now shift from qualifying to maximizing race pace.
Despite the setback, Hadjar remains optimistic about making progress on one of Formula 1’s most overtaking-friendly circuits.
Isack Hadjar will serve a grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Power Unit Penalty Changes Hadjar’s Weekend Strategy
Hadjar explained that the expected engine changes automatically trigger a grid penalty, leaving him with little incentive to focus on qualifying results. Instead, Racing Bulls will prioritize race setup in hopes of climbing through the field on Sunday.
The French driver arrives in Belgium after an impressive run of consistency, recording five consecutive top-six finishes. However, he admitted matching that streak at Spa will be significantly more difficult given his starting position.
He also acknowledged that Racing Bulls still trails Ferrari and Mercedes in outright pace, although he believes the team continues to make steady progress throughout the season.
Racing Bulls will prioritize race pace after Hadjar’s engine penalty.
Spa Offers Hope for a Recovery Drive
Although Hadjar expects to line up at the very back of the grid, he believes Spa-Francorchamps provides plenty of opportunities to overtake and recover positions during the race.
The Belgian Grand Prix is also expected to feature multiple grid penalties, with Lando Norris confirming he will drop ten places after McLaren opted to introduce Mercedes’ latest reliability-upgraded power unit.
Spa-Francorchamps could allow Hadjar to recover positions during Sunday’s race.
Hadjar remains confident that Racing Bulls has the pace to fight through the field. While another top-six finish will be far more challenging, the French driver believes an aggressive recovery drive is still possible if the race unfolds in his favor.
Honda has confirmed the Honda Prologue EV will be discontinued after the 2026 model year, leaving the brand without a fully electric vehicle in the U.S. starting in 2027.
The decision follows a significant slowdown in EV demand and the cancellation of Honda’s previously announced next-generation electric vehicle plans.
Honda will end production of the Prologue EV after the 2026 model year.
Honda Prologue EV enjoyed early success before sales slowed
Introduced for the 2024 model year, the Honda Prologue EV quickly became one of the brand’s fastest-growing models. The electric SUV posted strong sales during its first two years on the market before demand softened in 2026.
Sales were impacted by changing market conditions and the end of federal EV purchase incentives, contributing to a sharp decline during the first half of the year. Even so, the Prologue surpassed 80,000 units sold in the United States during its production run.
Built on General Motors’ Ultium platform, the Prologue shared much of its engineering with the Chevrolet Blazer EV.
The Honda Prologue EV was developed in partnership with General Motors.
Honda’s electric lineup enters a new chapter
The Honda Prologue EV was originally expected to serve as a bridge until Honda introduced a new generation of in-house electric vehicles. However, those future EV programs have since been postponed, leaving the automaker without a fully electric model in its U.S. lineup beginning in 2027.
Honda says current Prologue owners will continue receiving full after-sales support, including warranty coverage, replacement parts, and dealer service. While the company remains committed to long-term electrification, its immediate strategy is shifting as market conditions continue to evolve.
Honda will continue supporting Prologue EV owners through its nationwide dealer network.
Although the Honda Prologue EV will soon exit production, it played an important role in helping the automaker establish a presence in the growing electric vehicle segment. The model also provided valuable experience as Honda prepares its next generation of EV technology for future global products.
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