The full-size Toyota Crown has been available in Japan for the last 50 years, and Toyota is driving the car into the 21st century by adding its highly touted hybrid drivetrain to the royal sedan. In addition to receiving a combination gas-electric system under the hood, the Crown Hybrid Concept comes equipped with plenty of high-tech features that we've either seen before or are likely to see in the future.
The THS II system features a two-stage "motor speed reduction device" that combines smooth acceleration with high fuel economy, low noise and lower CO2 and exhaust emissions. It's equipped with VDIM traction control, active steering and 10 airbags, along with a thin film transistor (TFT) LCD "Finegraphic Meter" that displays important information to the driver in an easier to see and understand format.
We'd expect the production version of the Crown Hybrid to come to showrooms in Japan later next year.
[Source: Toyota]
PRESS RELEASE
CROWN HYBRID CONCEPT
The CROWN HYBRID CONCEPT's latest hybrid system, VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) and other features, result in an advanced fusion of driving, environmental and safety performance. The time has come to present the next-generation inspirational luxury sedan.
* Comes with THS II*, which has a two-stage motor speed reduction device that helps achieve distinctively smooth acceleration, high fuel efficiency, low CO2 and other exhaust emissions and quietness.
* Adopts a TFT (thin film transistor) LCD "Finegraphic Meter" to provide the driver with a variety of information in an easier-to-see and easier-to-understand way.
* Ensures excellent vehicle stability and a high level of preventive safety through VDIM with active steering control, to achieve optimal balance among drive power, steering and braking.
* Employs 10 SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbags for outstanding safety performance.
* Toyota Hybrid System
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John R @ Oct 10th 2007 7:26AM
Why don't we get this? This looks ten times better than a Camry.
SPG @ Oct 10th 2007 3:16PM
This car is bigger, rear wheel drive, and more expensive to produce then a Camry.
So not a Camry or an Avalon.
If anything, a Cressida.
psarhjinian @ Oct 10th 2007 7:57PM
Because the Yakuza don't have enough presence in North America?
The Crown is a huge car; about the same size or larger then the Lexus LS and certainly as well-trimmed. It's the only production Toyota with a V12 and is sees the same duty (pulling around a head of state) as a Maybach, S600 or XJ Vanden Plas would.
This has as much to do with a Camry as the Chrysler Sebring does with a Maybach 57.
Travis Rassat @ Oct 10th 2007 7:45AM
Is this the Japanese equivalent to the Avalon?
Rboyett @ Oct 10th 2007 10:06AM
The Crown isn't the equivalent of the Avalon. The Avalon is Frontwheel Drive while the Crown series is Rear Wheel Drive. It is an outstanding sedan IMO. I would love to see it offered in the States, however this car is sold ONLY in Japan. It isn't even offered in other countries with right side steering.
erikcantu @ Oct 10th 2007 7:54AM
"Camry" is the Japanese word for "Crown."
psarhjinian @ Oct 10th 2007 8:00PM
Camry is a phonetic of "small crown", which is what the Camry started life as. Currently they have nothing at all to do with each other, save for the badge on the hood.
As an fyi, "Corolla" is Latin for "crown of flowers"
Tom @ Oct 10th 2007 10:12AM
Looks like a copy of the G35 sedan
captain underpants and the bringdown gang @ Oct 11th 2007 9:07PM
I was just going to say that...but really its just the head lights.
Robert O @ Oct 10th 2007 10:33AM
Is it just me, or do all of the near-production-ready Toyotas have a style than is less than stylish; it kinda reminds me of the jelly beans that Ford produced in the mid-80's, only less attractive. I'm glad Toyota is finally paying attention to style and design, but I wish they'd focus on sleak, or clean lines instead of this jumble of . . . stuff.
oldsmoboi @ Oct 10th 2007 10:43AM
It looks so much like the new Honda Accord if the badging hadn't been there I would have though this was Honda taking a shot at the Avalon.
stefan @ Oct 10th 2007 10:53AM
Toyota ain't copying any one with this crown, because if you look at the last 15 years you will see that all crowns look like this.
Vincenzo @ Oct 10th 2007 1:12PM
Crown is sold NOT only in Japan.
There is even a left hand wheel variant for China.
http://www.ftms.com.cn/crown/safety.php
China is the second biggest market in the world.
Khanh @ Oct 12th 2007 6:54PM
If anything, Toyota could be taking a shot at the new Honda Accord if you ask me. It also kinda looks like has hints of Infinity M45 in the headlights... whoa.