The All-new Mark II

Tokyo―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) unveiled today its all-new Mark II passenger car as a truly driver-oriented luxury sedan. The re-born Mark M's key components (platform, engine and suspension) have all been redesigned to create an advanced combination of sharp, smart styling, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive enjoyment and a luxury-class interior space.

The new model is now available through Toyopet dealers nationwide (and Tokyo Toyota dealers in Tokyo; exclusively through Osaka Toyota dealers in Osaka).

Designed for inspiration

An advanced combination of a flowing, dynamic exterior and a package offering better driving performance through reduced inertial momentum of yaw creates a driver-oriented sedan with a new look.

All models come with VVT-i engines, such as the newly developed 2.5-liter direct fuel injection BEAMS (Breakthrough Engine with Advanced Mechanism System) D-4 engine. This engine can produce a large amount of torque in the commonly used rpm range and is highly fuel-efficient. Together with a 5-speed automatic transmission and new double-wishbone suspension design, it ensures, untiring acceleration along with outstanding handling and driving stability.

The interior comes with several graceful and detailed finishing touches. There are high-quality seats, a complete range of comfort features, a smooth instrument panel, and the controls are carefully designed for the best possible feel.

Safety and environmental features for driver peace of mind ABS, with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), and a brake assist function are provided standard on all models. VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) curtain shield air bags and the latest GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) body ensure one of the world's highest levels of safety in this class. The new Mark II also incorporates various environmental measures. Use of the 2.5-liter BEAMS D-4 engine gives it superb fuel economy, and the main models also meet the Japanese Environment Agency's definition of vehicles with emissions 25% below the mandated 2000 level.

THE LUXURY SEDAN FOR CAR LOVERS

Style and package

The Mark ll's advanced combination of a flowing, dynamic exterior with a package offering better driving performance through a reduced inertial momentum of yaw creates a driver-oriented sedan with a new look.

The exterior has dynamic proportions and flows smoothly from front to rear. The engine hood has been given a taut, ample shape, evoking power and high quality. The sharp relief of the contours provides a sophisticated new look.

The increased cabin volume is housed within pillars that flow together with energetic character lines to create a sporty side view. The rear's volume is emphasized by taut surfaces and a distinctive process that incorporates exterior panels in the lamps.

The Grande iR-V and Grande iR-S models are designed to be more distinctive, with special features, such as a dark front grille, rear spoiler and 17-inch aluminum wheels, that give these sporty grades originality that serves as a major selling point.

The overall length has been shortened by 25 mm, and the front and rear overhangs are shorter, but the wheel base has been lengthened by 50 mm. Inertial momentum of yaw has been reduced by placing the engine and the fuel tank closer to the vehicle center. This layout enables sharp handling and driving stability.

The overall height has been increased, and the cabin has been expanded, to create plenty of legroom, shoulder room and headroom in the front and rear seats. The roomy interior ranks alongside that of large class vehicles.
Luggage space has been increased by 20% by moving the fuel tank from beneath the trunk to under the rear seat.

Driving performance

All models come with VVT-i engines, such as the newly developed 2.5-liter direct fuel injection BEAMS D-4 engine. Together with a 5-speed automatic transmission and newly developed double-wishbone suspension design, they ensure untiring acceleration along with outstanding handling and driving stability.

Newly developed 2.5-liter direct fuel injection BEAMS 1JZ-FSE D-4 engine Direct fuel injection enables ultra-lean combustion. A new type of fuel injector creates a very fine fuel mist. By optimizing the shapes of the fuel mist and piston top surfaces, the range of ultra-lean combustion has been expanded, resulting in one of the lowest fuel consumption levels in this class. Straight port heads are used for low intake resistance. Combined with VVT-i and an electronically controlled throttle, they enable a high degree of power and outstanding driveability characterized by highly linear accelerator response.

Automatic models come with 5 Super ECT or ECT-iE. 5 Super ECT is a 5-speed automatic transmission enabling generous, smooth acceleration. ECT-iE is a 4-speed automatic transmission (intelligent) with an electronically controlled flex lockup feature. All models have a gate-type shift lever, specifically designed to make the shifting operation more enjoyable. The Grande iR-V's manual transmission uses a new shift mechanism design for a more direct shifting feel, and a shorter stroke for improved operation.

The new platform reduces the inertial momentum of yaw and improves steering responsiveness and convergence. A new double wishbone suspension design is used in both front and rear. In combination with the high-rigidity body, this suspension improves driving stability and provides a smoother riding sensation. The Grande iR-V and Grande iR-S models have specially tuned suspensions for better stability on straightaways and a better turning characteristic. The Grande G comes with the electronically controlled H ∞ -TEMS suspension for a comfortable, stable ride. This suspension uses the latest damper control methods―non-linear H∞ control and imaginery roll damper control. Models with the 1JZ-GTE engine have a new progressive power steering feature that lightens steering resistance as needed by switching from oil-pressure-valve to linear response, depending on vehicle speed. This creates constant steering rigidity regardless of speed, making for a more natural steering sensation.

Road noise was analyzed using an onboard sound simulator and reduced as much as possible by changing the body structure and determining the optimum placement of sound-proofing materials in a successful effort to block out noise even from rough driving surfaces. The engine has been made as quiet as possible in the low rpm range, and, in the high rpm range, it has been tuned to sound as pleasant as possible. Wind noise has been greatly reduced by optimizing the shapes and placement of the front pillars, door mirrors and other components.

The interior comes with several graceful and detailed finishing touches. There are high-quality seats, a complete range of comfort features, a smooth instrument panel and controls carefully designed for the best feel and easy identification.

The roomy seats with thick upholstery are extremely comfortable.

Features such as a smooth instrument panel free of indentations or projections, and controls carefully designed for the best feel create a luxurious interior with detailed and graceful finishing touches.

Grande iR-V and Grande iR-S have black interiors with burgundy wood-grain-pattern panels. They come with a three-spoke steering wheel covered in genuine leather and contoured seats with improved hold. The effect is striking and daring, yet mature.

Complete range of comfort features creates luxurious interior New Optitron meters that combine a metallic detailed design and a luxurious sporty image are standard on all models. A manual rear window sunshade is standard on all models and protects direct sunlight from entering through the rear, improving rear seat comfort.

Front door pockets that close (standard on all models), a utility box (standard on some grades) in the luggage space in the rear and other features improve utility and increase storage capacity.

A built-into-the-ceiling air purifier (standard on some grades) eliminates impurities such as cigarette smoke and pollen and uses an LED light source to deodorize, disinfect and purify the air through photocatalytic action.

An anti-theft engine immobilizer system is available as an option on some grades. This system prevents the engine from being started by any key other than the one with the owner's registered ID code.

All models come with six audio speakers, which have been specially tuned for the Mark Il's acoustics, creating highly realistic sound quality. The audio system is easy to operate and has its own sophisticated design.

Special interior illumination, featuring LEDs in six positions that light up when the door locks are open, when the engine is being started, or during driving, is standard on some grades.

A sliding cover-type armrest trunk-through function allows the carrying of long items, such as skis and snowboards.

Models with the 5 Super ECT transmission come with NAVI-AI-SHIFT, which uses upcoming curve information obtained from the car navigation system and gradient information obtained from vehicle speed sensors and throttle status to shift down to fourth gear and to third as needed. The feature also takes into consideration the accelerator/brake pedal operation by the driver, as well as the characteristics of the immediate curve, including slope gradient. The system can also control shifting even when no route has been set using the car navigation system and enables appropriate engine braking and smooth acceleration for driving support while traveling on winding roads.

The Electro Multivision system, with a wide (7-inch) display and positioned for ease of view above the center of the instrument panel, is optional on all models. It uses DVD voice navigation to greatly increase the speed of the route-finding process, and can pinpoint destinations as specific as individual street addresses. It can be connected to multiplex FM broadcasting and VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) receiver equipment, and is compatible with Toyota's MONET (Mobile Network) system, a driver information service.

Safety and the environment

ABS, with EBD, and a brake assist function are standard on all models. VSC, SRS curtain shield air bags and the latest GOA body ensure one of the world's highest levels of safety in this class. The new Mark II also incorporates various environmental measures. Use of the 2.5-liter BEAMS D-4 engine gives it one of the lowest levels of fuel consumption in its class. The main models also meet the Japanese Environment Agency's definition of vehicles with emissions 25% below the mandated level for 2000.

Outstanding handling and driving stability ensure a high level of danger avoidance.

The new Mark II achieves outstanding braking performance through the use of ABS with EBD that correctly distributes the braking force to the front and rear wheels to match changes in load due to load shifting or deceleration, or, in the case of braking during cornering, correctly distributes the braking force to the left and right wheels. This performance is enhanced by a brake assist function that provides strong braking in emergency situations in which the driver fails to appropriately apply the brakes or when carrying a heavy load.

A tinted water-repellent windshield (optional on the main grades) improves visibility when driving in rain.

An optimized reflector design in the halogen headlights dramatically improves light brightness and range. The discharge headlights are also brighter.

The refined collision-safe GOA body has passed a 40% lap offset front collision test at 64 km/h, and a full-lap front collision test and side collision test at 55 km/h.

Standard features in the driver's seat and front passenger seat of all models include SRS air bags, seat belts with pretensioners and force limiters, and warning indicators that flash when seat belts are not worn. SRS side air bags for the front seats and SRS curtain shield air bags, which protect front- and rear-seat occupants, are optional as a set on all models.

Collision-absorbing ribs in pillars and roof side rails ensure interior safety equal to that outlined in U.S. head impact protection standards.

The design of not only the front but also the rear seats incorporates the WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) concept, lessening the shock to occupants' necks during a collision from the rear.

The left and right rear seats come with special child seat anchors conforming to the ISO-FIX^* standard.

^*An ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard for child seat attachment created to prevent misuse of child seats, improve vehicle compatibility and set an internationally uniform attachment method.

Reduced CO2 through the pursuit of lower fuel consumption CO2 emissions have been reduced by lowering fuel consumption through the use of engines with VVT-i, high-efficiency transmissions and power-saving air conditioning. Fuel consumption is also lowered by the improved aerodynamic performance that results from a flatter under-floor structure and the use of more streamlined parts. Models with the newly developed 2.5-liter direct fuel injection BEAMS D4 engine have some of the lowest levels of fuel consumption in their class.

Models with the 1JZ-FSE, 1JZ-GE or 1G-FE engine have greatly reduced HC and NOx levels and meet the Japanese Environment Agency's definition of vehicles with emissions 25% under mandated levels.

TSOP (Toyota Super Olefin Polymer), an easily recycled thermoplastic resin, is used in parts such as the front and rear bumpers and upholstery. Resin parts are clearly labeled for easy sorting.

Parts such as the radiator, heater core and wire harness coverings contain no lead. The amount of lead that is used is less than one-third the amount permitted in 1996, giving Toyota early compliance with the voluntary lead reduction target figure set for manufacturers to achieve by the end of 2005.

Welcab models (specially equipped with factory-installed features)

Models with rotating front passenger seats enabling easy access for the aged or disabled are available for some grades (Types A and B). Type B has a motorized wheelchair storage device that makes it easy to load and unload a wheelchair to and from the luggage space (standard).

Specially equipped models are available for some grades, with standard features such as special power steering that makes the steering feel about 50% lighter, to allow hands-only driving operation for the disabled. These models enable attachment of driving assistance equipment and special driver's seats.