Cars
New Toyota Crown Hybrid Special Edition: Since When does 'Special' mean 'Entry-Level'?
Correct us if we are wrong, but doesn't 'Special Edition' denote that a specific model is equipped with extra features beyond the usual and perhaps even some unique styling cues? Maybe for you and me, but not for Toyota. The same firm that has been (ab)using meaningless groups of letters like GLi, XLE, LS and SE to describe the grade level of its models for decades now, decided to release an entry-level, cut price domestic version of its Crown Hybrid model called 'Special Edition' to help boost sales.
Compared to the standard Crown Hybrid that was introduced in Japan in early 2008, the Special Edition model has given up an array of comfort, convenience and even safety features such as leather upholstery, Toyota's Pre-Crash Safety System, automatic wipers and some other elements that we were unable to translate from Toyota's site.
The result is a reduction in price of around 10 percent, to 5.4 million Yen or roughly $56,100 US at today's exchange rates.
The full-size, rear-wheel drive Crown Hybrid sedan is moved by a 292HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and a 48HP electric motor producing a maximum combined output of 340HP. As stated by Toyota, the Crown Hybrid achieves a fuel efficiency of 14.0 km/l (7.2lt/100km or the US equivalent of 32.9 mpg) according to the Japanese test cycle.
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Toyota Reveals New 2013 Crown Royal And Crown Athlete Sedans In Japan
One of Toyota's oldest running nameplates that has been around since 1955, has just entered its 14th generation with the introduction of the new 2013 Crown series in Japan. As with its predecessor, the new Crown, which is about the same size as...
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Toyota Previews Auris Hybrid With Pre-production Concept
Toyota today dropped an official photograph of the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept, which will be displayed for the very first time at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. In essence, it's a pre-production model lightly guised as a concept that previews Toyota's...
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Toyota Rumored To Develop New Low-price Hybrid To Compete With Honda Insight
With the new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid already undercutting the current generation Prius in price, it's a no-brainer that Toyota execs are starting to worry that Honda's hybrid proposal will have a serious advantage over the next-generation 2010...
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Lexus Uk Launches New Limited Edition Rx400hs
With the all-new Lexus RX just around the corner (UK sales begin this summer), Lexus is apparently trying to push out as many examples of the current model as possible. Release right after the New Year, the RX 400h Limited Edition and Executive Limited...
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Honda Insight Best Seller Japan
Hybrid sales success has, in a way, been rather overstated. Even in America, the nation that has gone head-over-heels for hybrids, the best-selling cars are not gas-electric. Honda, however, is changing the story. Since becoming the first automaker to...
Cars