TOKYO — In its relentless quest to consolidate its position as the world's leading purveyor of gas/electric hybrid vehicles, Toyota has introduced a new hybrid edition of its redesigned Crown sedan.
The Crown Hybrid, first revealed last fall at the 2007 Tokyo show, will join the new Crown Royal Saloon (we don't make up these names) and the Crown Athlete, both of which officially went on sale this week in Japan. The Crown Hybrid won't reach dealers until early May — and likely won't be sold outside the Japanese domestic market.
The big Crown sedan, which dates to 1955 and is one of the world's longest-running nameplates, is now in its 13th generation. It features advanced safety systems and technology, including a radar-based pre-crash system with an eye monitor that can determine whether the driver's eyes are open just before an impact, as well as a night-view system (on the Crown Hybrid) with a near-infrared camera designed to detect pedestrians after dark.
Among the more unusual features, the seat covers on the Crown are treated with a chemical to combat mite allergens. An infotainment system combines map-on-demand navigation with multimedia and telematics, including a one-touch operator-call service. The Crown also borrows the Lexus LS sedan's intelligent parking assist system and is equipped with 10 airbags.
Engine choices include 2.5-, 3.0- and 3.5-liter V6s, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The new Crown is priced in Japan from around $34,000.
What this means to you: So good, it could be a Lexus. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
The Crown Hybrid, first revealed last fall at the 2007 Tokyo show, will join the new Crown Royal Saloon (we don't make up these names) and the Crown Athlete, both of which officially went on sale this week in Japan. The Crown Hybrid won't reach dealers until early May — and likely won't be sold outside the Japanese domestic market.
The big Crown sedan, which dates to 1955 and is one of the world's longest-running nameplates, is now in its 13th generation. It features advanced safety systems and technology, including a radar-based pre-crash system with an eye monitor that can determine whether the driver's eyes are open just before an impact, as well as a night-view system (on the Crown Hybrid) with a near-infrared camera designed to detect pedestrians after dark.
Among the more unusual features, the seat covers on the Crown are treated with a chemical to combat mite allergens. An infotainment system combines map-on-demand navigation with multimedia and telematics, including a one-touch operator-call service. The Crown also borrows the Lexus LS sedan's intelligent parking assist system and is equipped with 10 airbags.
Engine choices include 2.5-, 3.0- and 3.5-liter V6s, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The new Crown is priced in Japan from around $34,000.
What this means to you: So good, it could be a Lexus. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »