Full Model Change Unveiled for Toyota Crown Series

TOKYO―Toyota Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Sales Co. jointly unveiled today a brand-new, fully remodeled Crown Series of prestige-grade passenger cars, the first such change in the series in four years and 11 months.

The Crown was originally introduced in 1955 as Japan's first true passenger car and since then has remained one of the nation's most respected automobiles and a keystone of Toyota's global reputation for producing quality passenger cars.

In preparing this new-generation hallmark model of the Crown, Toyota emphasized three points in particular, basing its design approach on response to demands of the new decade in safety, improved comfort, the conservation of energy and natural resources, as well as other features requisite in a prestige automobile of the Crown's stature.

Those three points are: 1) to offer motorists a high-quality automobile that at once gives the driver both the feeling of luxury and confidence in the product; 2) to provide interior space that is ample, quiet and refined; and 3) to respond to the needs of our age for the conservation of natural resources and energy.

All models in the new Crown Series meet Japan's 1979 noise control standards, with the van and diesel models also meeting the 1979 emission control standards for commercial vehicles and diesel-mounted vehicles, respectively. The main improvements introduced in the new Crown include the following:

New Styling

A horizontal, belt-line side moulding gives the new Crown's profile a lower, stable feel. The line is distinct but composed, and suggests a combination of both modernity and classic elegance to make the Crown even more refined than previously. Body styling differs according to the particular model type and use―such as sedan, 4-door hardtop, 2-door hardtop, wagon and van.

Comfortable Interior

As is fitting for a first-class passenger car, the new Crown's interior emphasizes luxury and a subdued feeling of composure and rich comfort. The separate appointments are all carefully harmonized in design, material and color.

Roominess and Quietness

Exterior measurements are almost the same as those of the previous models, but interior roominess has been improved. A highly rationalized design approach has resulted in greater passenger-compartment space and a wider trunk room. The seats have also been improved, as has the performance of the air conditioner.

The Crown has long been rated high in the quietness of its ride, and that feature has been improved further by the new use of sound absorbing and muffling materials, and the subsequent reduction of wind and road-hiss sounds. In the L-type diesel-powered model, the exterior sound during idling is cut down substantially.

Improved Ride and Maneuverability

Riding and maneuverability have both been improved further through the incorporation of better suspension, improved steering and aerodynamic characteristics.

Higher Safety

Safety factors have been raised through the use of more glazing for a wider field of vision on all sides, large-size combination lamps, improved front and rear seat headrests and the availability in more models of Electronic Skid Control (ESC).

Power Performance

The power performance of the Crown has been raised considerably by making available, to replace the previous 4M-EU Type engine (2563cc), the newly developed 5M-EU Type engine (2759cc).

Conservation of Energy and Natural Resources

In response to the growing need for the conservation of energy and natural resources, a strong effort has been made to rationalize the design of the new Crown, including the body structure, thereby reducing the car's weight. Improved aerodynamic characteristics, meanwhile, and new and improved engines have given the Crown outstanding fuel efficiency. The newly developed 5M-EU Type engine, in particular, gives a better fuel performance than the 4M-EU Type engine which it replaces.

New Mechanisms and Equipment

The introduction of new mechanisms and equipment has raised the comfort and driveability of the new Crown still further, giving it specifications entirely fitting for a luxury-class passenger car with the Crown's long tradition. As an example one of the options in the Royal Saloon model, the top of the Crown line, is a microcomputer called a "cruise computer." That unit immediately, by touch operation, gives automatic and accurate displays of ten different items of information, including distance traveled and even estimated time of arrival.

Tentative target sales domestically are 13,000 passenger cars and 800 vans/wagons, a total of 13,800 vehicles monthly.

For your further information, separate sheets are appended with emissions, fuel efficiency and specific model data.