Toyota has an ambitious goal to begin selling one million hybrids per year by early next decade, and the Japanese automaker's home market Crown sedan reveals part of Toyota's strategy. The Crown Hybrid will only be available on the top line model, which also features industry firsts such as an LCD instrument panel, and a night vision pedestrian detector. The goal for Toyota is to make an actual profit on all of its hybrids, and the added tech amenities will help make the sharply higher prices easier to swallow. Unfortunately, the added cost of the Crown Hybrid will be about $21,600, which could buy you a Prius.
Head Toyota hybrid engineer Shinichi Matsumoto told Automotive News that the automaker is also engineering the flexibility of both hybrid and conventional powertrains in all future vehicle architectures. That means Toyota can and most likely will give every vehicle in its lineup a battery-assisted model, which will come in handy as fuel prices continue to wildly fluctuate. It's just unfortunate that the folks that can least afford $4 or $5 fuel prices won't be able to buy vehicles that can cushion the blow. Let's hope Toyota also continues to offer an affordable hybrid like the Prius, because one shouldn't have to purchase a rear camera, moon roof and upscale leather seats to save at the pump.
[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
rem83 @ Feb 20th 2008 8:01AM
I hope it gets better mileage than the Lexus hybrids.
nikola @ Feb 20th 2008 1:34PM
Whoever wrote this article must've been smoking or drunk because he's an idiot.
How the hell is a high-end-only model going to get Toyota to 100,000 hybrids a year? Well? Do you think a car with a $20,000 markup will attract THAT MANY new buyers?
This car is simply an extension of the hybrid platform, nothing more.
mikomi @ Feb 20th 2008 8:02AM
The *added* cost is $21,600? Wow.
Hank @ Feb 20th 2008 8:50AM
Yep, and how long, even at $4-5 gas (or even $9, for that matter) do you think it'll take to make up the difference at $21,000? Especially if it's like the Lexus LS hybrid that still gets worse mpg than either my suv or my wife's minivan (which the LS does, according to most real-world tests)?
Adding all the weight of that extra tech isn't going to help matters if the goal really is what the marketers will be screaming. Yet another bait (enviro/gas savings) and switch (optioned out hog with a feel-good system called hybrid).
Snark @ Feb 20th 2008 11:04AM
What I keep wondering is how long it will take hybrid naysayers to realize that people buy hybrids for reasons other than simply reducing gas costs. Avoiding heavy tax bands (as are common in Japan and Europe), reducing personal carbon emissions, securing bragging rights or using interesting new tech, and concerns about energy independence are also commonly cited reasons for people to buy hybrids. It's not just to tick a few numbers off the budget.
Revvy @ Feb 20th 2008 8:27AM
I thought the Mercedes S-Class already had an LCD dash hooked up to a night vision camera on the front.
Top Gear showed them watching TV on it.
Tragedy @ Feb 20th 2008 9:27AM
Not the dash, the cluster is LCD
Pics:
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/CAR/20080218/147591/meter2.JPG
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/CAR/20080218/147591/meter3.JPG
Neil @ Feb 20th 2008 11:34AM
Yea, MB has had the LCD cluster in multiple vehicles already and the nightvision is available in the S-class.
Craig @ Feb 20th 2008 8:30AM
After seeing the headline in the RSS feed, at first I thought it would be odd to have a hybrid Crown Vic cop car...
Frylock350 @ Feb 20th 2008 8:49AM
A Crown Vic hybrid, even a BAS would be a good idea. Squad cars spend a good amount of time idling with that V8 just wasting fuel. An electric assist that could power the accessories when the car isn't moving would save departments lots of fuel.
MikeW @ Feb 20th 2008 12:46PM
Just putting a 6 speed automatic would do wonders for the mileage/performance.
Also the REST system that german cars had/have. (residual energy storage system)
Basically that gives you 30 minutes of heat in the cabin after you shut the engine off. That should be enough time to do paperwork.
500 @ Feb 20th 2008 1:22PM
"Industry firsts such as an LCD instrument panel" Weren't the digital dashboards on Cadillacs and Lincolns in the early 80's fluorescent LCD? Thanks to Tragedy's pics I now know what Chris meant (and it is inpressive), but the without a pic or description in the article the headline "first LCD instrument panel" seems laughable.
Rboyett @ Feb 20th 2008 9:02AM
I just wish they would offer the regular Crown in the States. Unfortunately it is JDM only. It is the only Toyota Sedan that I really really like.
Tragedy @ Feb 20th 2008 9:22AM
They're not JDM-only. I've seen them in China and Hong Kong.
lovice @ Feb 20th 2008 10:15AM
They are not JDM only. Toyota also builts them in China.
So they are far east market only.
spw @ Feb 20th 2008 9:43AM
eh, always the same... This Hybrid is top of the line model, hence it has top of the line features... It is luxury car afterall. It replaces V8 model.
How much fuel is B&O audio system in Audi going to save you? Yet it costs 3k :-)
stefan @ Feb 20th 2008 10:34AM
The crown hybrid wont replace the V8 model because the V8 is the majesta and this is the athlete.
Mal Fuller @ Feb 20th 2008 10:07AM
Toyota may have to adjust all its sales goals. Let's us not forget that Volkswagen plans to outsell them in just a few more years.
sw @ Feb 20th 2008 11:25AM
I know all about having to change other people's plans as I have to now buy a new bed as I plan on having a foursome with Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, Rachel McAdams and myself. Actually, I think my goals aren't as lofty as VW's
Torrent @ Feb 20th 2008 11:50AM
Looks SOOOO much like the Hyundai Genesis.