Isn’t there too much going on at Toyota already? That’s something we will discuss in a bit, but for now, there is some buzz around a new engine development by the automaker. 

According to a report from Japanese publication Magazine X, Toyota is considering a return to V12 engines. The Century Coupe concept, which was unveiled in October 2025, is rumored to be entering production sometime soon, and it could likely be the first new Toyota to feature said engine format in recent years. 

This makes sense, considering that the Century name has been spun off into its separate luxury sub-brand, and Toyota also has a wish to bring the Century brand out to the world. 

Specific details about the engine remain shrouded in mystery for now, naturally. The Magazine X report says that the new V12 could possibly be built by merging two of BMW’s 3.0-litre straight-six engines.

However, many others feel this is unlikely to happen. For context, the BMW 3.0-litre engine powers the Supra, which is also bidding final goodbyes soon.

Many rumours point towards the possibility of an all-new twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12, paired to a plug-in hybrid system and all-wheel drive. This, under the Century Coupe’s flamboyant design, is how Toyota could be planning to go after the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, and the Maybach GLS, although the latter two are powered by smaller V8 engines instead. 

Needless to say, the new V12 will definitely be focused more towards refinement, rather than outright performance, although it probably will be able to hike up its skirts and run if you really ask it to. 

But again, all of this remains speculation unless Toyota talks about it. We believe it will, at some point. However, the timing of this development is rather interesting due to what is going on at the company lately. 

Reducing fat from its lineup to generate profit

Not too long ago, Toyota lost its position as the most valuable company in Japan, after a 22-year unbroken run. 

According to a report from Automotive News, the Japanese automaker is considering trimming the number of vehicles from its global lineup, in order to get back to making profits. Here is what the newly appointed CEO, Kenta Kon, said to reporters: 

“If you go to a development division, you see issues such as an increasing number of different specifications and variants being created, which in turn is driving up costs. If there are areas within those activities that aren’t truly value-adding work, or where work isn’t being done efficiently, then we need to take a closer look at them.”

Based on the AN report, the car maker is facing USD 17 billion in tariff costs and is worried about rising competition from China. This year, Toyota expects its operating profit to drop by 20%, marking the third straight year of falling earnings.

While Toyota has not explicitly stated which models will face the axe, earlier this year, the carmaker cancelled development of the Lexus LF-ZC electric sedan, citing weakening demand for EVs globally, along with the workload that it would take in development. Additionally, the car maker is prioritizing localization and boosting hybrid vehicle production. 

Read more at Motor Culture

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason