Only the Century executive sedan and the Royal limousine were equipped with the 5.0-liter V12 Toyota 1GZ-FE engine, which was manufactured by hand in Japan between 1997 and 2017. This motor is frequently used for tuning projects or switching to different models of the concern. A gas version with the index 1GZ-FNE is available.
A 12-cylinder engine designed especially for the second generation Century was developed in 1997. A timing chain drive, two aluminum DOHC cylinder heads without hydraulic compensators, VVT-i phase shifters at the exhaust, a distributed fuel injection system, an ETCS-i electronic throttle, and a closed-type aluminum block with cast-iron liners and a 60° cylinder camber angle are all included. We identify two distinct control units for every row of cylinders among the unit’s features.
Specifications
| Production years | 1997-2017 |
| Displacement, cc | 4996 |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 280 – 312 |
| Torque output, Nm | 460 – 481 |
| Cylinder block | aluminum V12 |
| Block head | aluminum 48v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 81 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 80.8 |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Features | DOHC |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | VVT-i |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-20, 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 8.0 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 4/5 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Toyota Century 2000) — city — highway — combined |
20.4 9.9 13.8 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~400 000 |
| Weight, kg | 295 |
The engine was installed on:
- Toyota Century 2 (G50) in 1997 – 2017.
Disadvantages of the Toyota 1GZ-FE engine
This is a very dependable unit with a lot of resources and little forcing, but it can cause electrical problems, particularly with its electronic chokes. It should be mentioned that issues typically occur during motor swapping and tuning.
The appearance of lubricant consumption is the subject of all other complaints on specialized forums. The primary cause is the rings, and there is no set mileage—some people typically drive 300–400 thousand kilometers, while others report an oil burn at 100,000 kilometers.
Even more uncommon issues with this power unit are related to the cooling system: it is crucial to keep an eye on the radiator’s cleanliness and the state of the pump, which is not the most durable, because the motor overheats easily and breaks through the expensive gaskets.