Tag Archives: Chauffeur

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Toyota introduces £135k luxury SUV to compete with Bentley Bentayga

The Toyota Century SUV has been unveiled as a £135,000 4×4 designed specifically for chauffeur driving. The vehicle features imposing proportions and a range of technological upgrades.

The Century has been designed with squared-off proportions, taking inspiration from a loom shuttle. It boasts smooth surfacing and chamfered corners, giving it a broad-shoulder look similar to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. The front and rear lights of the SUV are split into four individual units, further enhancing its presence on the road.

Inside, the Century offers luxurious touches such as a refreshment function, fully reclining rear seats, rear TV screens, a passenger-separating fridge, and a stereo system developed in collaboration with a musical instrument manufacturer to create a live performance-like experience for passengers.

Compared to the saloon version, the Century has a slightly shorter wheelbase of 2950mm, making it 140mm shorter. It is also around 40mm shorter than the Range Rover.

The Century has been developed with special features for chauffeurs and passengers. The rear doors open to a 75-degree angle, and the cabin floor is completely flat. The vehicle also features retractable power steps.

For those who prefer driving, the Century SUV is equipped with a large centrally-mounted infotainment display borrowed from Lexus, digital dials, and ambient lighting in the door cards.

The vehicle is powered by a 3.5-litre plug-in hybrid V6 engine that is also used in the upcoming Lexus TX. It has four-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability in urban areas. Additionally, the Century offers a ‘Rear Comfort’ mode, which minimizes jolts and excessive braking from the driver to provide a more comfortable ride for rear passengers.

Autonomous Driving, Electric Vehicles, News

Polestar 4 ‘Chauffeur’ Self-Driving Tech Promised For New EV SUV: What It Can Do

Polestar is planning to introduce Chauffeur, its self-driving technology, to the Polestar 4 electric SUV. Although no specific timeline has been provided, the release of Chauffeur will follow the launch of the EV. Similar to other advanced driver assistance systems, it is likely that Chauffeur will be an optional upgrade and will come at an extra cost. For example, Tesla’s “full self-driving” suite is priced at an additional $15,000, while Ford offers its BlueCruise functionality for $2,100 for three years if selected at the time of vehicle purchase.

On the other hand, the Polestar 3 electric SUV, which is scheduled to start deliveries in 2024, will feature ADAS and autonomous driving technology. Interestingly, the Polestar 3 will not rely on MobileEye’s technology but instead use Luminar sensors, thanks to Volvo’s investment in the LIDAR startup.

The Polestar 4 will be the most powerful vehicle in Polestar’s lineup. The long-range dual-motor version of the car is expected to have a motor with 544 horsepower and 506 lb-ft of torque. It boasts a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds and a range of 438 miles on a single charge. In addition, the Polestar 4 supports 200kW fast charging, features a 15.4-inch central display, and has a unique design element using a camera instead of a rear glass window.