Toyota Korea officially launched the Crown, its flagship model representing Toyota, on June 5 at Seoul Auction’s Gangnam Center.
The Toyota Crown is the second electrified model embodying Toyota Korea’s commitment to offering various electrified vehicle options to Korean customers, following the announcement of the new brand slogan “Seeing Value First” in February.
The Crown, named after the word for a royal crown, has the longest history in Toyota’s lineup, having been first introduced in 1955 as the brand’s first mass-produced passenger vehicle, symbolizing Toyota’s “innovation” and “challenge.”
Targeting a “Crown for a New Era” the 16th generation Crown has evolved by reinterpreting the definition of a traditional sedan to reflect diverse customer needs. It is available in four types: crossover, sedan, sports, and estate, and it is being released sequentially in over 40 countries worldwide, starting with the crossover version.
The newly launched 16th generation Crown for the Korean market features a youthful and futuristic crossover style, maximizing fuel efficiency with its 2.5-liter hybrid (HEV) and offering a dynamic driving experience with Toyota’s first 2.4-liter dual-boost hybrid, making a total of two powertrains available.
The newly reborn Crown departs from the traditional three-box structure, with a silhouette that seamlessly connects the front and rear, embodying a refined crossover style with volume and sleekness. The front design, inspired by the ‘Hammerhead’ concept, features an aggressive and dynamic profile, complemented by 21-inch large wheels that emphasize a lift-up style on the sides, and a simple yet striking rear design with straight LED rear lamps that showcase the Crown’s unique identity.
Based on the island architecture concept, the interior is designed to ensure that all passengers feel comfortable and cozy.
The 2.5-liter hybrid model incorporates a naturally aspirated gasoline engine and an e-CVT with a bipolar nickel-metal battery, achieving an impressive fuel efficiency of 17.2 km per liter, providing both high fuel economy and an eco-friendly driving experience.
The 2.4-liter dual-boost hybrid model represents a new hybrid that realizes the balance of efficiency and performance. It is equipped with a bipolar nickel-metal battery combined with a 2.4-liter gasoline turbo engine, a motor, and a 6-speed automatic transmission, producing a total system output of 348 horsepower. Additionally, the rear of the vehicle features the newly developed E-Four Advanced system based on an e-Axle with a high-performance motor.
Furthermore, the 2.4-liter dual-boost hybrid model is equipped with the E-Four Advanced, specialized for performance driving, featuring a high-output water-cooled rear motor and a cooler-based e-Axle, which can continuously deliver more powerful driving force to the rear wheels compared to the existing E-Four system.
The driving force between the front and rear can be quickly adjusted from 100:0 to 20:80 depending on driving conditions, allowing for a driving experience close to that of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Additionally, the inclusion of variable control suspension provides stable straight-line driving and cornering, along with dynamic acceleration.
The Crown implements a lightweight and high-rigidity body through the TNGA platform, and combines differentiating design, enjoyable driving experiences, and high-quality ride comfort suitable for a flagship model, achieving unique commercial value. Furthermore, it is equipped with upgraded preventive safety specifications, the ‘Toyota Safety Sense (TSS)’, and infotainment systems, ‘Toyota Connect’, a 12.3-inch touch display, and a 12.3-inch large full-color MID, along with front seat ventilated seats, rear seat heated seats, and a panoramic sunroof, showcasing enhanced preventive safety specifications and various convenience features.
The Crown communicates with the message “The First Crown,” embodying Toyota’s top heritage flagship, the first application of various electrified technologies, and the meaning that this is the first Crown to be showcased by Korea Toyota. The Crown’s warranty period is extended from the general manufacturer warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km to a total of 5 years or 100,000 km with an additional 2-year service program from Korea Toyota.
The Toyota Crown is available with two powertrains: the Crown 2.5-liter hybrid priced at 56,700,000 won (including individual consumption tax of 3.5%), and the Crown 2.4-liter dual-boost hybrid priced at 64,800,000 won (including individual consumption tax of 3.5%).
According to Director Kang Dae-hwan of Toyota Korea, “The new Crown is a beautiful silhouette flagship model and a new dual-boost hybrid that is expected to bring smiles to drivers,” adding that, “Toyota plans to continue introducing various electrified models to satisfy customer needs in the future.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr
