Toyota Introduces Full Hybrid Version of Crown

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2008.

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  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Toyota Motor has redesigned its Crown luxury sedan lineup in Japan, and added a full-hybrid model based on a THS (Toyota Hybrid System) II system. Toyota had shown a THS II-based concept version of the Crown at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. (Earlier post.) Toyota had introduced a mild-hybrid version of the Crown in 2001.

    The new Crown hybrid combines a rear-wheel drive THS II hybrid system with a 2GR-FSE D4-S 3.5-liter V6 engine (also used in the Lexus IS and GS 350) and a NiMH battery pack. The hybrid goes on sale in Japan on 6 May.

    The D4-S combines port and direct injection, with two injectors per cylinder—one injector installed in the combustion chamber and a second mounted in the intake port. The combination of direct injection with port injection enables a more precise mixing of air and fuel under low- and medium-load conditions. Under high-load, the engine will use direct injection alone. The engine as applied in the Crown Hybrid is rated at 218 kW (292 hp) at 6,400 rpm and 368 Nm (271 lb-ft) of torque at 4,800 rpm.

    Full Article
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2008
  2. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    HSD 2?
    so its the next gen of HSD that we have on the prius?

    whats so special about it...can not find that realy clear in the post.
     
    #2 Flying White Dutchman, Feb 18, 2008
  3. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    Great news.

    At some point my parents will be replacing their Caddy. They will NOT buy another GM.

    My Dad is thinking Lexus. My Mother is concerned about money.

    If I can steer them toward a full hybrid luxury sedan that I can convince them is the "equivalent" of a Lexus, I can talk them into this. It has to have some of the amenities that Prius doesn't have...like heated seats, the ability to adjust them and set them with a memory, etc. You know. The luxurious bun stuff. If it can do (better) what their Caddy does and be a hybrid and at the cost of a Toyota instead of a Lexus, I can talk them into this.

    Great news.
     
    #3 Godiva, Feb 18, 2008
  4. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    Okay. The don't sell a Crown in the U.S.

    What about a full hybrid Avalon? How hard is that?
     
    #4 Godiva, Feb 18, 2008
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The Crown only had a mild hybrid system before. This is the first time HSD is offered on the Crown. It's a similar system to the GS450h.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2008
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yep. No one would pay that much for a "Toyota" badge (although apparently paying $60k for a Sequoia is ok).

    Quite. The 3.5 litre HSD setup is RWD so far. The only FWD one is the 3.3 litre HSD setup on the HiHy/RXh.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2008
  7. joe1347

    joe1347 Active Member

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    What about putting the hybrid components from the Crown on the Lexus ES350? I guessing that there is a market for a 'green' not too expensive luxury car (sub $35K).
     
    #7 joe1347, Feb 18, 2008
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's RWD! The ES is FWD.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2008
  9. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    Yes, Toyota has no plan to sell Crown outside of Japan.
    Also, Toyota has plan to prepare hybrid options on all models by 2020.
    So, your dream comes true some day...

    Ken@Japan
     
    #9 ken1784, Feb 18, 2008
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I thought that has been cancelled cause they said some models are better served by "alternative" means other than hybrid (which I assume is diesel)
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2008
  11. MaxLegroom

    MaxLegroom Junior Member

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    Considering that the Avalon uses a similar powertrain to the Camry V6, it should fit in the same space up front. I hope that trunk space isn't a priority to your parents, however, as Avalon trunk space is already smaller than much of its competition. A hybrid battery pack would reduce that further.
     
    #11 MaxLegroom, Feb 18, 2008
  12. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    Would you please let us know when you got the information above?

    Mine was came from President Watanabe's new year's greeting.
    TOYOTA: News Releases
    "Our current goal is to achieve hybrid vehicle sales of 1 million units annually as soon as possible in the early 2010s, and, beyond that, we are committed to having a hybrid model in all Toyota vehicle series."

    Ken@Japan
     
    #12 ken1784, Feb 19, 2008
  13. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    By the way, new Crown has a lot of new features.
    TOYOTA: News Releases

    - TFT (thin film transistor) LCD Finegraphic Meter
    - multi-media-function HDD navigation system enhanced by Map on Demand
    - Pre-crash Safety System (millimeter-wave radar type)
    - eye monitor to detect whether a driver's eyes are properly open
    - VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
    - pedestrian detection function based on a near-infrared camera
    - advanced car navigation system facilitates the entering and exiting of highways
    - uses the map data to inform the driver of upcoming stop signs and issue a warning if the driver is late in decelerating
    - Emergency Braking Signal system
    - optimally controlling the dampening force of the shock absorbers based on road information from the navigation system
    - Active Headrest that shifts to an appropriate position to lessen stress on the neck and reduce the risk of whiplash injuries sustained during a rear-end collision
    - Active Noise Control function uses the speakers to cancel out engine booming noise
    and so on...

    Ken@Japan
     
    #13 ken1784, Feb 19, 2008
  14. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Sounds like a fully loaded Japan car. I was impressed with all the stuff in cars there when I visited a few years ago. I was NOT impressed with the "speeding buzzer". ;)

    Note that the Crown was sold here quite a while ago (early 70s).
     
    #14 David Beale, Feb 19, 2008
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    That sounds like the LS to us!

    I'll see if I can find my source. I know Toyota was looking at an all-hybrid lineup for 2010 (then 2020) so what you're saying is correct. I think it's fairly recent (autumn 2007?) that they changed their mind (presumably the Tundra hybrid is harder to make than expected???)
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Feb 19, 2008
  16. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    Anyway, the new year's greeting was placed on January 1st, 2008.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #16 ken1784, Feb 19, 2008
  17. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    I didn't know the trunk space was smaller in the Avalon. Definately a negative. But it's not like they carry around golf bags anymore.

    I've been trying to talk them into a Cambrid but I don't know what kind of luxury amenities it has. Does it have the programable seats and bun warmers? Anyone know?

    I think if it was just my Mom, she'd be Ok with the Prius. But she says "whatever your Father wants" so it's him I need to work on. But.....I still need to work on my Mom because he won't buy anything she's not happy with. And he knows when she's happy and when she's not. I guess it's a married thing. They've been married over 50 years so they're good at that nonverbal communication thing.
     
    #17 Godiva, Feb 19, 2008
  18. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Toyota scales back hybrid goals - USATODAY.com

    It seems as if Jim Lentz doesn't think a hybrid fits in every model.
     
    #18 drash, Feb 19, 2008
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    What do you mean?

    Camry "luxury features"

    - leather seat surfaces
    - 8-way power driver's seat with power lumbar
    - 4-way power passenger seat
    - heated front seats
    - one-touch power moonroof
    - electrochromatic auto-dimming mirror with compass
    - multi-information display with trip computer
    - electroluminescent (LED) gauges
    - rear reading lamps (with entry system)
    - dual-zone automatic climate control
    - 7" DVD-Based Navigation System (Gen 5)
    - Bluetooth wireless connectivity
    - Premium 440W JBL Synthesis Audio System with 8 speakers, RDS (first car with JBL's DSS subwoofer system) and Psychoacoustics.
    - AM/FM/6CD/MP3/WMA player with auxiliary input (4CD with nav)

    Class-leading "luxury" features
    - SKS
    - PlasmaCluster ionizer air filter (licenced by Sharp Electronics)
    - Steering wheel mounted audio and climate controls
    - Rear A/C vents
    - Driver's Knee Airbag
    - Acoustic Windshield (5-ply)

    ahh thanks.
     
    #19 Tideland Prius, Feb 20, 2008
  20. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    Your date was (autumn 2007?), and mine was 2008.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #20 ken1784, Feb 20, 2008
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