<![CDATA[Jalopnik: crown]]> http://tags.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: crown]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/crown http://jalopnik.com/tag/crown <![CDATA[Toyota Crown Majesta Trim Unveiled For JDM]]> Toyota's top-of-the-line Japanese model since the 1950s is the Crown, a JDM-only sedan. The Toyota Crown Majesta trim has been announced for Japanese execs with a nationalistic bent and a need for exclusiveness


The new Crown Majesta is the fifth iteration of the super-Crown and wears a longer wheelbase and subtle styling differences over the standard car. The front end gets the biggest changes, with a unique grill and lower fascia, but other than that the upgrades come inside. There are two captains chairs swathed in Japanese leather in the back with a full host of entertainment options. The Majesta is the first to get Toyota's new center rear airbag which deploys between rear seat passengers, which will no-doubt lead to yet another front in the safety-wars. It also gets an automatic parking system, a night vision system and all the other electronic nannies which equal luxury these day.

Vehicle Outline
Enduring presence and high-quality

Package
The extended wheelbase, 75mm longer than the previous series, creates a roomy and comfortable interior.
* Longer wheelbase creates ample legroom for rear-seat passengers
* Total vehicle length under 5 meters ensures greater maneuverability in cramped traffic environments

Exterior
Based on the Toyota brand "Vibrant Clarity" design philosophy, horizontal accents create a flowing silhouette, while the long wheelbase generates a style both commanding in appearance and expressive of vitality.

Interior
The wide instrument panel creates expansiveness, while individual components from the center cluster to the console are clear-cut, emphasizing the quality of the materials used.

The steering wheel, shift knob and ornament panel feature carefully selected, fine-grain wood to create a luxurious cabin atmosphere.

Optitron Meters (standard) and thin film transistor LCD Finegraphic Meters (optional) provide vivid and clear information to the driver.

* Speedometer displays in both digital and analog format; lane and other information also displayed
* Steering-wheel-affixed switch allows changing screen display to show fuel efficiency, Eco Zone Indicator (for environmentally considerate driving) and Night View system (see "Safety" section)

Seat frames can be finely adjusted to provide comfortable seating even during long periods of driving.
* Type G and Type G "F Package" feature premium Japanese leather seats
* Power Easy Access System slides driver's seat back and tilts steering wheel upward and forward, facilitating smooth ingress and egress for driver

The HDD navigation system is compatible with the G-BOOK mX Pro telematics service and is equipped with multi-media and other advanced functions such as Map on Demand, which provides automatic map and information updates.

A rear-seat entertainment system features a high-resolution 9-inch monitor built into the cabin ceiling.

The Toyota Premium Sound System, with a 19-channel amplifier and 20 speakers, offers sound quality comparable to a live performance.

Enhanced performance and advanced technologies

Performance
The two-wheel-drive models feature a 4.6-liter V8 engine that enhances driving performance, quietness and fuel efficiency. The engine is paired with an 8 Super ECT transmission with a driving response and acceleration management system to achieve smooth and powerful cruising.
* Four-wheel-drive models employ 4.3-liter V8 engine with 6 Super ECT
* 4.6-liter engine uses advanced D-4S (direct injection four-stroke gasoline engine, superior version) fuel injection system, coupled with electrically controlled Variable Valve Timing-intelligent system (VVT-iE) for improved driving performance and fuel efficiency

Electronically controlled air suspension, standard on all models, provides comfortable handling through the advanced control of vehicle roll. The suspension system receives cornering information and accumulated road surface-difference information from the navigation system and then optimizes shock-absorber damping force to enhance handling, cruising stability and ride quality.

Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), which coordinates control of drive power, steering and brakes, comes standard on all models to ensure excellent vehicle stability and preventive safety performance even on slippery road surfaces.

The use of noise-reducing glass and optimal body-structure design, together with best placement of vibration-controlling and sound-blocking materials, achieves outstanding interior quietness.

Safety
The TMC-developed, world-first Front-side Pre-crash Safety System (part of overall Pre-crash Safety System) uses millimeter-wave radar to detect probable front-side collisions at intersections with good visibility.

The TMC-developed, world-first Pre-crash Seatbacks bring reclined rear seats to an upright position when the vehicle's Pre-crash Safety System detects a high probability of a front- or rear-end collision, thereby positioning rear occupants appropriately to lessen injuries caused by impact.

A stereo camera can detect pedestrians in front of the vehicle, with a warning displayed to the driver when necessary.

The "Night View" system uses a near-infrared camera to display difficult-to-see pedestrians, objects and sections of the road in front of the vehicle. The system also comes with a special pedestrian detection and display function.

The vehicle employs an advanced Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) collision-safety body.

Ten SRS airbags, including rear-seat side airbags, are standard on all models.

Driver Support
The advanced car navigation system facilitates the entering and exiting of highways.
* Using road-map data, system enables smooth acceleration when merging into highway traffic from on-ramps or service areas by controlling gear-change timing, as well as increasing engine braking for smooth deceleration when exiting highways or approaching tollbooths
* System uses road-map data to inform driver of upcoming stop signs, issuing warning if driver is late in decelerating; navigation-system-linked brake-assist function supports driver in emergency braking, helping reduce vehicle speed

The Intelligent Parking Assist system uses ultrasonic sensors installed in the front of the vehicle to detect parking-space parameters. The system then helps the driver when parallel parking or when backing into the parking space by informing the driver when to turn the steering wheel and where to start backing up.

Product lineup aims to satisfy all occupants
The number of trim grades in the series has been increased from five to six.

The Type A "L Package" includes Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), which optimizes the angle of the front wheels in relation to steering wheel turn and vehicle speed, thereby enhancing driving pleasure by providing excellent handling response in line with the driver's intent.

The four-seat Type G "F Package" provides a safe and comfortable rear-seat space.
* One of total of 11 SRS airbags in vehicle is world's first SRS rear-seat center airbag, which was designed to lessen secondary injuries caused by rear-seat passengers colliding with each other in side-on collisions
* Controls for such functions as air conditioning, audio and seat-reclining are all located on large, rear-seat, center console
* Rear-seat passengers can adjust large wing-type headrests to their preferred angle and enjoy audio via inlaid headrest speakers
* Rear "air seats" can blow warm or cool air, while left rear seat boasts automatic leg rest that allows leg extension and comfortable support for passenger

Environmental impact reductions
Efforts were made to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. The Type A model achieves a fuel efficiency of 9.4km/l (CO2 emissions: 247g/km). The Type G, Type G "F Package", Type C and Type A "L Package" all meet the 2010 fuel efficiency standards specified by the Japanese Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy. In addition, all vehicles in the series achieve emissions levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles.

An Eco Driving Indicator that lights up to signify fuel-efficient vehicle operation and an Eco Zone Indicator that shows throttle use aim to raise driver awareness toward environmentally friendly driving. Both are standard on all models.

Toyota employed its Eco-Vehicle Assessment System (Eco-VAS)-a comprehensive environmental impact assessment system-to efficiently achieve overall reduction of environmental impact throughout the vehicle's lifecycle.

A review of the materials, processing methods, and adhesives used for interior parts resulted in a reduction in the amount of volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde. The review also helped reduce the sometimes discomforting odors emitted from such materials to below the values outlined in the JAMA2 "Vehicle Cabin VOC Testing Methods (for Passenger Cars)", which are voluntary industry standards.

1As of February 2009, as surveyed by TMC
2Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association
Assembly Plant:
Motomachi Plant, Toyota Motor Corporation

[NihonCar]

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<![CDATA[Toyopet Crown For 1963, Now With More Toyoglide!]]> We've always loved Toyota's name for their Powerglide-based automatic transmission, but "Toyopet" just doesn't sound like the kind of name you'd use when you're planning to dominate the automotive world a few decades hence. The Crown got a lot more luxurious later on, but even in '63 it had a certain boxy presence... and look, no clutch pedal!

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<![CDATA[Forget That Crass Mitsubishi Debonair In The 1971 Toyota Crown]]> The old Toyota Crown was all about the luxury, and it's pretty clear from this classic ad who the Crown's target market was back in 1971 Japan: stoic businessmen who wished to take their giggly young mistresses to the beach. We're disappointed that the Crown in this ad lacks the Super Saloon's curtains and trunk-mounted Cool Box, but you can see that it wafts along in utter silence. Well, except for the caterwauling of the schmaltzy singer.

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<![CDATA[Toyota Night Vision System Recognizes Pedestrians]]> Toyota's Crown Hybrid is getting one hell of a feature that will make the walkers of the world happy: night vision pedestrian recognition. Complex pattern recognition system cameras will recognize when pedestrians are walking alongside the road and put a nice yellow square around them on a camera view on the driver-side LCD instrument panel. The ideal driving speed for the system to work is between 10 and 40 mph, so the system is pretty useless hauling ass through a park Bruce-Willis-action-movie style. It only recognizes pedestrians, but Toyota is working on an advanced version that would be capable of recognizing bicycles and animals, as well. With gas prices going bonkers, the roads will be clogged with more and more pedestrians and bicyclists, so any extra precautions could be helpful for dealing with the gangs of hobos sure to be wandering our roads as the dollar weakens. [DVICE]

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<![CDATA[PCH, Japanese Nostalgia Edition: 1969 Toyota Crown or 1959 Datsun 1000?]]> It would appear that our readers are Lamborghini purists, given the 82/18 shellacking the V12-powered Espada issued to the Chevy-powered Espada in yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll. Either way, who would have imagined owning a genuine, almost-running Lamborghini for the price of a new base Camry? Project Car Hell beckons! As we say so often here: what could go wrong? Today we're going to leave PCH Superpower Italy and head to a nation not so well known for maddeningly difficult Hell Projects; yes, we're feeling so inspired by the vintage Japanese steel at the Motoring J Style show that we have no choice but to descend into the fiery furnace of Vintage Japanese Car Hell.


The Japanese have been building super-reliable, easy-to-repair vehicles with good parts availability for so long now that we tend to forget that at one time they built crazy cars. Cars that rusted to nothingness before your eyes, full of components and designs from Britain and Italy... while at the same time boasting amazing styling and features that fill us with yearning. Perfect PCH material, eh? Got to say, if this '69 Toyota Crown (go here if the ad disappears) lived a little closer than Florida... well, with a $1,750 price tag, we wouldn't be sharing this super steal with you readers! Now, for that sweet price tag you figure there's some work in store for you, and we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the pushrod Land Cruiser engine that's replaced the original SOHC 2M unit. There's nothing wrong with the Toyota F, mind you... but a truck engine in this fine luxury sedan? The good news is that the junkyard is chock-full of Supras and Cressidas with M engines, and you'll have no problem adding entire stables of extra ponies, what with the vast assortment of aftermarket go-fast gear out there. The seller says "Body is good, interior needs love," but how hard can it be to find 40-year-old Crown interior components?

That Crown would make you feel like an early-70s Yakuza enforcer, for sure, but wouldn't it be cool to own one of the very first Bluebirds? Based on the Austin Cambridge and powered by an Austin-licensed engine, this 1959 Datsun 1000 (go here if the ad disappears) clearly shows its British ancestry. Come on now, a half-century-old orphaned Austin/Datsun from Fresno? You can't say no! And you shouldn't say no, in spite of the somewhat disconcerting statement "Car is in 'ruff' condition (yes it barks for attention). " It's "Mostly a complete car," and we're sure you'll manage to find a big stash of '59 Datsun parts without having to go to Japan, because that's how serious you'll be about this project! And, hell, might as well drop in an SR20DET while you're at it, right?

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<![CDATA[Curtains And A Refrigerator: 1972 Toyota Crown Super Saloon]]> We used to dream about bringing over a full-zoot Mitsubishi Debonair from Japan, but that was before we met this '72 Toyota Crown Super Saloon in the flesh at the Motoring J Style show last Saturday. The window curtains and super-luxurious interior are impressive enough, but then you open the trunk and find a factory-installed refrigerator! Imagine being the owner of a chain of mob-connected Tokyo strip clubs back in '72, being driven around in your Super Saloon while your kneecap-breaking heavies follow in a Corona Mark II! The owner of this Crown brought it over from Japan a couple years ago, and we're already pestering the Gawker Overlords to buy us one as our Official Jalopnik Staff car (sure, the Overlords ignored our entreaties when we demanded the '38 Peugeot 302, but we're not giving up!)

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<![CDATA[Bearded Genius Creates Tric-Vic To Slow Speeders]]> Jim Hunt has channeled the power of the beard for good. Miffed at speeding motorists in front of his home in Summerville, South Carolina, Jim decided to build what has come to be known as the "Tric-Vic", a fake-out cop car which he says works to slow down the speeders. The clever lawn ornament is constructed of expanded metal and reflectors in such a way as to mimic the iconic look of a Ford Police Interceptor parked roadside. Why do we have the sinking feeling this is going to be the next "lady bending over showing her bloomers while working in the garden"?[via Youtube]

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<![CDATA[Toyota Crownaminos!]]> Given Toyota's past association with GM, we think that a pickup truck made from a Crown should be called a Crownamino, rather than a Crownchero or Crownpage. BZR found this pair of Crownaminos (a '64 and a '67) on Moon of Japan's Cars For Sale page. Be sure to check out the Crown wagons while you're there! [Moon of Japan]

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<![CDATA[Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Toyota Crown HV Concept]]> Toyota's venerable Crown executive car gets a new workup, complete with hybrid drive. It's the Crown HV concept, equipped with a version of Toyota's halo-inducing hybrid synergy drive system. It's a technology lovefest, with an LCD display Toyota calls, awesomely, the Finegraphic Meter. It also comes with something the big T calls a "motor speed reduction device." That's J-code for a luxury-oriented smooth acceleration, high fuel efficiency, low CO2 and other exhaust emissions and quietness. It's also a showcase of VDIM stability control with active steering. Expect to see it parked in front of the Imperial Palace inside a year.

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