balanced design and ease of entry. An annual production of 60 was planned. As of September 1990, there was also an L-type stretched version of the Century sedan — length is with a wheelbase of ; this model uses the same larger rear doors as were fitted to the Century Limousine. In December 1992, the Century received its last makeover, with some very minor changes taking place in late 1994. A Century with a GT45 gas turbine and electric motor was shown as the Century gas turbine hybrid concept vehicle at the 1975 Tokyo Motor Show. Chassis codes VG20: 3.0 L 3V V8, 1967–1973 VG21: 3.4 L 4V V8, 1973–1975 VG30: 3.4 L 4V-U V8, 1975–January 1977 C-VG30: January 1977–November 1978 (1977 Emissions Standards) E-VG35: November 1978–1982 (1978 Emissions Standards) VG40: 4.0 L 5V-EU V8, 1982–1997 VG45: 4.0 L 5V-EU V8 (L-type) 1990–1997 Second generation (G50; 1997) The Century received a complete redesign in April 1997, although the new model was visually very similar to the previous generation. This model is powered by a 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12, rated at in Japanese models and at 5200 rpm in export models. Torque was rated at at 4000 rpm for both Japanese and export versions. It was initially equipped with a 4-speed A342E automatic, until a 6-speed "intelligent" transmission arrived in 2005. It also features air suspension. The Century remains the first and only Japanese front-engine, rear-wheel-drive production car equipped with a V12, and it is Toyota's first V12 engine. As this is a top level luxury flagship, private owners are comfortable with the yearly road tax bill. This generation no longer offered the ability to select which level of equipment preferred, designated as the D-Type, E-Type and the extended length L-Type of the previous generation, and changed to offering either a floor-mounted or column-mounted transmission selector. From 2003 through 2004, the V12 engine was briefly offered with the ability to use CNG fuel. On the "C" pillar there is a badge in blue with a gothic-style "C" for Century with a label "V12" below. Although the previous generation was not officially exported despite its common use by Japanese diplomats overseas, Toyota began limited official exports of the G50 Century to Europe and other Asian markets including China and the Middle East in November 1998, positioning it as an executive car for company and government officials. About 100 left-hand drive cars were