TOKYO PREVIEW: Toyota Crown Hybrid Concept
Nothing much is known about the new Toyota Crown Hybrid Concept that will be displayed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show other than a list of new features to be showcased – so we will have to wait until the motorshow rolls by to find out exactly what these new technologies are.
Anyway onto the features – the Toyota Crown Hybrid Concept will features Toyota Hybrid System II, an evolution of the current system being used in production hybrid vehicles – this uses a two-stage motor speed reduction device which helps achieve smoother acceleration, better fuel efficiency, low emissions and lower noise.
A new Finegraphic Meter TFT LCD display will be employed in the interior to provide information to the driver in an easy to see and understand manner – this could finally make its way into Toyota vehicles the same way Optitron started being used in Lexus cars first, so I think we should pay attention to this particular technology.
Vehicle stability will be enhanced with VDIM and active steering control, which I think has already made its debut on cars like the Toyota Mark X ZiO – using an optimal balance between drive power, steering and braking to help regain control of the vehicle in emergency cases. For passive safety, the car has 10 SRS airbags.
Like the Toyota Crowns before it, this new concept will likely be a front engine, rear wheel drive car. It is Toyota’s largest sedan and is about the same size as a Lexus LS.
An interesting fact to share: many Toyota sedans have been named after variations of the word Crown. There’s the Toyota Corona, where Corona is latin for crown, and there’s also the Corolla, which means small crown and usually refers to the small center “crown” of a flower. The Toyota Camry gets its name from kan-muri, meaning small crown.
More photos after the jump.
Click to enlarge
October 16, 2007 @ 3:15 am
looks like a camry sibling
October 16, 2007 @ 8:32 am
Looks like the previous Lexus LX470 based Crown?
I guess they just made it “greener” with the hybrid powertrain.
October 16, 2007 @ 8:41 am
Gosh, blue rear lights? its a 1st
October 16, 2007 @ 10:45 am
This is future executive class taxi in KL. Current Crown taxi is powered by Diesel!
October 16, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Look awesome and luxury by today standard!
October 16, 2007 @ 11:16 am
dislike dat big boring bulky look.
October 16, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
“most toyota sedan named after the word crown”
proton mahkota, perodua tengkolok, naza tanjak….???
October 16, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
nice looking car!!!
hope to see more hybrid vehicles on the road…..
October 16, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
This is kinda out topic, but I couldn`t find where to contact Paul.
Anywyay, Paul, will you be going to the Tokyo Motor Show?
Or is anyone here going?
October 16, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
yes, im going
October 16, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
I always like Crown. Generally it’s perceived as uncle’s car but in Japan you can see some younger executives or old timer dandies modified and made it up aesthetically. Looks fabulous dude…
This is still decent though*:
http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b82012553
October 16, 2007 @ 7:27 pm
Paul see you there…
October 16, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
Toyota Crowns are always one of my favorites. Be it old or the latest, these are the mobile tankers on the road. This one just blows my mind. Its soo….. ‘I must have it!’.
October 16, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Ultraman’s car! COOL!!
the dash looks toyota as usual… nothing interesting…
the rear looks quite C-Class even its colour are different…
October 16, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
Nice front and interior.. but what’s going on at the tail lights ? !! OMG
October 16, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
Paul, what is the price in Malaysia?
October 17, 2007 @ 12:22 am
Don’t think Crown will make it into Malaysia. The same way Legend/Acura RL does not make it into the country
October 17, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Paul Tan said,
October 16, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
yes, im going
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Oh nice, see you there then!
July 24, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
bmw 5er much better
April 1, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Awesome car. Toyota never ceases to amaze me with their cars.