Dec. 25, 2012

Toyota Launches New 'Crown' Series Sedans in Japan

Toyota City, Japan, December 25, 2012―Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces the launch in Japan today¹ of the redesigned "Crown Royal" and "Crown Athlete" sedans. Both will be sold through "Toyota" dealers across Japan.

Crown Royal Saloon G
(Hybrid model, rear-wheel drive with options)
Crown Athlete G
(Hybrid model, rear-wheel drive with options)

The original "Crown" debuted in 1955 and established a tradition of trust and peace of mind, and has since evolved into a sedan that leads the premium car market in Japan. Now, the 14th-generation of the Crown revisits its roots while also living up to today's demands and expectations by providing an exquisite ride and superbly quiet performance. The new Crown series has been designed around the core concept of new innovation, and stands at the front of Toyota's ongoing efforts to make ever-better cars² that exceed expectations.

The new Crown series features distinct and dynamic styling that indicates the extent of the redesign. All major components have been updated, including a new 2.5-liter hybrid system that combines high output with high fuel economy, a matured suspension, and new cutting-edge technology and devices such as the Toyota Multi-Operation Touch, which consolidates various vehicle functions into one, convenient, easy-to-operate touch panel.

Monthly Sales Target for Japan

4,000 units

Assembly Plant

Motomachi Plant, Toyota Motor Corporation

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices

Crown Royal

Grade	Engine	Transmission	Driveline	Price^*1
Royal	4GR-FSE (V6 2.5-liter)	6 Super ECT^*2	Rear-wheel drive	3,530,000 yen
Royal Saloon				4,090,000 yen
Royal Saloon G				4,820,000 yen
Royal i-Four			Four-wheel drive	3,800,000 yen
Royal Saloon i-Four				4,360,000 yen
Royal Saloon G i-Four				5,050,000 yen
Royal	THS II with reduction gear		Rear-wheel drive	4,100,000 yen
Royal Saloon				4,690,000 yen
Royal Saloon G				5,360,000 yen
^1Includes consumption tax, does not include recycling fees and differs in Hokkaido and Okinawa; ^2Super Intelligent Electronically-controlled, Six-speed Automatic Transmission

Crown Athlete

Grade	Engine	Transmission	Driveline	Price^*1
Athlete	4GR-FSE (V6 2.5-liter)	6 Super ECT^*2	Rear-wheel drive	3,570,000 yen
Athlete S				4,130,000 yen
Athlete G				4,900,000 yen
Athlete i-Four			Four-wheel drive	3,800,000 yen
Athlete S i-Four				4,360,000 yen
Athlete G i-Four				5,130,000 yen
Athlete S	2GR-FSE (V6 3.5-liter)	8 Super ECT	Rear-wheel drive	4,970,000 yen
Athlete G	2GR-FSE (V6 3.5-liter)	8 Super ECT		5,750,000 yen
Athlete	THS II with reduction gear			4,100,000 yen
Athlete S				4,690,000 yen
Athlete G				5,430,000 yen
^1Includes consumption tax, does not include recycling fees and differs in Hokkaido and Okinawa; ^2Super Intelligent Electronically-controlled, Six-speed Automatic Transmission

Vehicle Outline

Distinct and Dynamic Styling Fitting for a New Era

The new Crown series boasts a dignified yet expressive side profile built around a lowered body complemented by free-flowing lines and dynamic styling. The impressive front mask―based on the shape of a crown―emphasizes the individuality of the Crown series' unyielding presence and dignity.

Crown Royal

The hood and sides of the body thrust forward to create a strong front view with a commanding presence. The thick, angled upper grille blends with the wide and open lower grille to create the new, dignified face of the Crown Royal

The lowered body combines with the horizontally accented shoulder lines to create a low front-center-of-gravity while presenting a sense of forward momentum through the side profile.

The cabin is tapered toward the rear with the tires set outward through the use of arch hemming³ to create an impressive rear view that conveys a sense of stability and sturdiness. The shortened wheel arch flanges and the hems are curved inward to present smooth flare surfaces.

Crown Athlete

The low-to-the-ground center body and fender strongly emphasize the tires to form a lively front view. The shape of the grille evokes the image of a crown while expressing the functionality of a sports model to produce a striking look.

With integrated side rocker molding consistent with the body, the side profile emphasizes the low center of gravity and excellent driving performance.

The rear view features combination taillights with rounded accents that convey an aggressive feel. The rear spoiler flows smoothly into the side rocker moldings to emphasize the low center of gravity, and the adoption of a lower garnish with aerodynamic effects conveys the quality of the driving performance.

Interior

Shapes and handiwork infused with traditional Japanese aesthetics (such as layers, overlapping patterns) show refinement, contrasting with the modern Toyota Multi-Operation Touch control unit, but realizing a harmony between these aspects to create a modern interior that integrates tradition with innovation.

Newly developed wood-grain panels―with lustrous gold stitching and intricate geometric patterns created through digital processing―are arranged and placed with extreme precision to create an interior space that pursues unprecedented quality in ornamentation design and detail.

Interior and Exterior Colors

The Crown Royal is available in six body colors, including new Precious Silver and two new interior colors―Chestnut and Flaxen.

The Crown Athlete is available in six body colors including new Precious Silver and Precious Black Pearl with two interior colors including new Terra Rossa.

Outstanding Performance

Powertrain

The new, exclusive rear-wheel-drive hybrid system combines a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder inline Atkinson cycle engine featuring next-generation D-4S⁴ technology with a high-torque motor to provide the drive performance of a 3.0-liter V6 vehicle and class-leading⁵ environmental performance.

The new 2AR-FSE engine achieves class-leading⁵ maximum thermal efficiency⁶ of 38.5 percent to achieve both high fuel efficiency and high output.

Fuel efficiency is 23.2 km/L under the JC08 test cycle of Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT; equivalent to CO2 emissions of 100 g/km), contributing to substantial reductions in CO2 emissions.

The 2015 fuel efficiency standards are exceeded by 20 percent. Combined with certification for emission levels 75 percent lower than 2005 standards under the MLIT approval system for low-emission vehicles, the new Crown series is eligible for tax reduction measures under the Japanese government's taxation system for environment-friendly vehicles.

Main Specifications of Crown Series Exclusive Rear-wheel-drive Hybrid System

Engine	Model	2AR-FSE
	Displacement	2,493 cc
	Maximum output	131 kW (178 PS)/6,000 rpm
	Maximum torque	221 N-m (22.5 kgf-m)/4,200―4,800 rpm
Motor	Model	1KM
	Maximum output	105 kW (143 PS)
	Maximum torque	300 N-m (30.6 kgf-m)
Complete system	Maximum output^*	162 kW (220 PS)
Battery		Nickel-metal hydride
^*Using both engine power and electric motor power; based on TMC calculations

In addition to the 2.5-liter V6 engine with 6 Super ECT and the Athlete-only 3.5-liter V6 engine with 8 Super ECT, both vehicles are also equipped with the Driving Response and Acceleration Management System (DRAMS) for smooth and powerful acceleration.

Chassis: Rigidity of the front and rear suspension arms has been optimized. The rear suspension arms with open cross-sectional configuration provide a high-quality ride without transmitting vibration from the road surface. Offset tie-rod ends on the front suspension and toe-control arms in the rear suspension maintain high vehicle stability when cornering to greatly increase ride comfort.

Body

The addition of spot welding to certain locations increases body rigidity, improving steering responsiveness, road grip and riding comfort.

The sides of the combination taillights feature aero-stabilizing fins that generate small eddy currents in the air that flow alongside the vehicle, applying force to the vehicle on both sides to maintain excellent steering stability.

Extensive vibration and noise countermeasures have been implemented on the body, this in addition to the hybrid system on hybrid models can provide much quieter performance⁷ over the existing V6 engine.

State-of-the-art Equipment

Driving Support

The Adaptive High Beam System ensures high forward nighttime visibility for the driver by detecting preceding and oncoming vehicles and selectively blocking sections of the high beams coming from the vehicle that could interfere with other drivers' vision.

The Panoramic View Monitor integrates images from four cameras mounted on the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle and displays them on the navigation system screen in conjunction with gear-stick operation to enable the driver to monitor hard-to-see areas around the vehicle.

Safety and Peace of Mind

The new Crown series features a Pre-collision System (including an improved Pre-collision Brake Assist system and a Pre-collision Braking system) with millimeter-wave radar that improves deceleration performance for 90 percent of relative speeds at which rear-end collisions occur.

In addition, Intelligent Clearance Sonar automatically applies the brakes and mitigates damage in the event of a collision caused by pedal misapplication or application with excessive force. For example, when starting from a stop in a parking lot, if the clearance sonar detects an obstacle in the direction of travel, a warning is issued and the engine or motor output is controlled accordingly.

Drive-start Control, standard on all vehicles, provides an on-screen and auditory warning to the driver and controls the engine or motor output to limit sudden acceleration and mitigate collision damage in the event of irregular gear-stick operation.

In the unfortunate event of a collision with a pedestrian, the vehicle's Pop-up Hood instantly raises at the rear to reduce the force of impact on the pedestrian's head.

Options Packages^*1

	Options Packages	Main features
1	Advanced package	Pre-collision System (millimeter-wave radar) Clearance Sonar and Back Sonar Intelligent Clearance Sonar Radar Cruise Control (brake control) Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management^*2 (gasoline-engine Royal Saloon models only)
2	Driver support package^*3	Electric tilt and telescoping steering wheel with auto-tilt away and return function (gasoline-engine Royal Saloon, Royal Saloon i-Four, 2.5-liter gasoline-engine Athlete S and Athlete S i-Four) Automatic windshield wipers (rain detection) Automatic anti-glare rearview mirror
3	Rear comfort package^*4	Rear power seats (reclining with 40/20/40 split) Rear center arm rest (with cup holder, storage box, and various control switches) Rear accessory socket (DC 12 V, 120 W) Rear left and right SRS side airbags
4	Leather seat package^*5	Leather seats Front seat ventilation Front seat heaters^*6 Rear seat heaters (Royal Saloon G and Royal Saloon G i-Four only)
^1Not available on the Royal and Royal i-Four or the Athlete and Athlete i-Four.; ^2Combines Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Traction Control, and Electric Power Steering; ^3Standard on the Royal Saloon G, Royal Saloon G i-Four, Athlete G, and Athlete G i-Four; ^4Standard on the Royal Saloon G, Royal Saloon G i-Four; not available on the Athlete series; ^5Standard on the Athlete G and Athlete G i-Four; ^6Standard on hybrid vehicles.

¹Hybrid model production is scheduled to begin in late January 2013.

²A key concept of Toyota's automobile manufacturing in the Toyota Global Vision

³A structure or bending processing used on exterior and exterior-plate components

⁴Direct injection four-stroke gasoline engine superior version

⁵Compared to vehicles of similar engine displacement, according to TMC

⁶Calorific value effectively utilized for generating motive force (fuel that was used for actually moving the vehicle) as a percentage of the thermal energy provided to drive the engine. Increasing this percentage leads to higher fuel economy.

⁷Compared to Toyota V6 engines at same number of revolutions, according to TMC