Most people are well aware of the German luxury sedans that are sold all over the world, but not as many are familiar with the Japanese luxury sedans that are rarely seen outside their home country. It may seem strange considering how tight and congested Japanese cities are but there is a sub-culture of enthusiasts who love the big 4-door cars. These enthusiasts are responsible for the VIP Style of modification; a style that priorities comfort over performance with a little bit of bling. They tend to have big chrome wheels and trim, air suspension, curtains and smoked-out rear brake lights to make the car look more important. Thankfully, this style has received international attention and Mark (or DJ Penfold) has applied this treatment to his Toyota Majesta which he imported directly from Japan. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look at this ride.
Mark acquired this Majesta in 2016 after some of the import laws were relaxed for cars of a certain age and specification in Australia. Even though it says Majesta on the rear, the car is actually a special edition of the Crown, which I suppose makes it even more luxurious. The 4.3 litre V8 engine produces about 270 HP, which doesn’t sound like a lot for a V8 but it’s got a decent amount of torque to provide a comfortable driving experience. All-out performance is not the name of the game here, even if it sports quad exhaust tips.
As standard, the Majesta comes equipped with air suspension to deliver a smooth ride that’s to be expected on a luxury car. However to achieve the stance you see here, it had to be changed and upgraded. This is an essential part of the VIP Style that cannot be skimped out on if you really want to make a statement. Another part of this style is having some front and rear camber – more so at the rear to accentuate the “slammed” stance that is synonymous with the VIP Style. The rear lights were changed to something darker and more stylish compared to the standard issue set, whilst the front grille has been de-badged.
The chrome multi-spoke wheels equipped on this car is the third set of wheels it’s had since Mark bought it. In my opinion, they really do fit the bill for a VIP Style car because they aren’t too showy and have a sense of class about them. Equip these wheels on car with proper performance credentials and it won’t work too well, not just because of the weight.
Mark tells me that driving this car is like driving a leather armchair, so if you can imagine that, you’ll understand the kind of comfort level this car provides. Taking a highly-sprung sport car through the dense suburban landscape of Melbourne can be quite a pain, so prioritising comfort isn’t such a bad thing. I think that’s the main reason why Mark is a fan of the VIP Style. Look, tuned cars are cool and all but some people just want a comfy, executive sedan that doesn’t screw their back up.
So now you know what kind of car a DJ drives. Mark is a busy guy who goes all over Melbourne for his job, so it’s no surprise that he drives this car often. After all, it’s the only one he has. I do admire the unique qualities of this vehicle and the little items inside, because that’s what makes a custom car special. Thanks to Mark for taking the time to talk to me during his DJ duties for the show.
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