Last year, Toyota announced four new Crown models representing a “Crown for a new era.” Rather than simply sticking to a sedan design, the development entailed a thorough reexamination of what the Crown is about. While inheriting the Crown’s DNA of innovation and pushing the limits, the new models align with the diverse values and lifestyles of customers. The first to be released was the Crossover, a vehicle combining a sedan and an SUV.
Now, Toyota has unveiled its all-new Crown Sedan model in Japan and will begin accepting orders. The launch is planned for November 13.
Since the development was revisiting the Crown’s origins and the original Crown had been a sedan, Toyota designers also decided to build a new Sedan type. They created a car that offers excellent ride comfort and a high-quality driving experience, as well as a relaxing space meeting the needs of chauffeured cars. The new style redefines the traditional sedan, a reinvention reaching for new value as the “new formal” serving both personal and business purposes.
In keeping with designer intent to avoid an orthodox sedan, a new value was put forward with the creation of a sedan representing the “new formal.” Taking advantage of a rear-wheel drive platform, flowing proportions along the horizontal contribute to an elegant, flowing appearance not seen in earlier sedans.
The combination of a hammerhead design, emphasizing a sharp, wide feel, and a large Under Priority trapezoid grille with a vertical pattern form front face that underscores the Crown’s status as Toyota’s flagship vehicle. At the rear, the taillights in a straight line from side to side emphasize the wide feel.
Island architecture is emphasized with a large wood-grain panel extending in a continuous line from the instrument panel to the doors on either side and a console that appears to rise out of the panel. A composed yet spacious interior space is the result.
Illumination is choreographed according to a Japanese aesthetic incorporating the spirit of ‘omotenashi’, or hospitality. LEDs supporting 64-tone color switching are positioned at both ends of the instrument panel, in the leg space of the front seats, and on the sides of the rear door trims. The indirect lighting, occurring as a gentle, lantern-like glow, gives the cabin depth and comfort.
With sights on a hydrogen-powered society, the flagship Crown Sedan also gets an FCEV version that emits no CO2 while in operation. It accompanies an HEV version, the choice of many customers, to increase their options and meet diverse needs while contributing to the popularization of electrified vehicles and the realization of carbon neutrality.
The Crown FCEV contains the same performance fuel-cell system as the Mirai. Equipped with three high-pressure hydrogen tanks and fuel cells, it is possible to drive around 820 kilometers per three-minute hydrogen refill. Torque surges from the moment the accelerator is pressed, enabling the smooth increase in power expected of an FCEV, while the quietness and riding comfort allowed by an electric motor are also achieved.
By connecting an external power supply, the Crown FCEV can also power your home or electrical appliances. In addition, two accessory outlets mounted inside the car can double as an emergency power supply system since they’ll work even if the vehicle is turned off.
The Toyota Crown Sedan is only being offered to customers in Japan and is set to launch on November 13, 2023. The FCEV variant is priced at 8,300,000 JPY ($55,200).
