丰田继发布其旗舰级车型世纪以后，近日又在日本发布了其更主流的皇冠豪华轿车，丰田此前在去年曾发布了该车的概念版车型。这也是丰田的第15代皇冠，该车还首次配备了数据通信模块（ datacommunicationmoduleDCM）。该车采用丰田的TNGA平台，车辆曾在纽伯格林赛道测试，可提供“优异的操控性”，“灵敏的驾驶性能”和“卓越的稳定性”，可适应各种驾驶条件。新车比老款车更长，其长度为4910毫米（而老款车为4885毫米），轴距略微增加，进一步提升了后排乘客腿部空间。车厂宣称，新车内装进一步现代化，采用了更高质量内饰和更宽敞驾驶员及乘客空间。仪表板采用双屏幕布局，包括一个8英寸显示屏和7英寸显示屏，后者主要是用来显示天气和音响功能。丰田表示，由于采用了TNGA平台，进一步优化了车身结构和隔音材料的布局，因此车厢内的静音性能大幅提升。由于引擎位置更低，因此车辆重心进一步降低。至于动力系统，新一代皇冠可提供三种引擎，唯一的非混动引擎是2.0升涡轮增压汽油引擎，功率180千瓦/245马力，扭矩350牛米。另外两种混动系统结合了2.5升和3.5升汽油引擎，一台电机和镍氢电池或锂电池，其中2.5升版本功率166千瓦/226马力，3.5升版本功率264千瓦/359马力。丰田下个月开始接受预订，计划每月销量4500辆。
15th Generation Toyota Crown Launched In Japan
After launching its absolute flagship for Japan, the Century, Toyota is now introducing the more mainstream Crown luxury sedan, which was previewed by a namesake concept last year. The automaker describes the 15th generation of the model as the first-generation connected car because it comes as standard equipped with a data communication module (DCM).
Based on Toyota’s new TNGA platform, the vehicle has been tested on the Nurburgring and should deliver “outstanding handling,” “responsive driving performance,” and “exceptional vehicle stability” in a wide range of driving conditions. The new model is slightly longer than its predecessor, which was launched in 2012 - 193 inches (4,910 millimeters) versus 192 inches (4,885 mm), with a bit longer wheelbase, expanding the rear passenger legroom.
The automaker is proud to announce it has modernized the entire cabin which now features higher quality materials and more space for the driver and passengers. The dashboard is dominated by a new dual-screen layout, which combines an eight-inch central screen and another seven-inch display for the climate and audio functions.
Toyota also says the TNGA architecture brings significant improvements in terms of cabin quietness, which are achieved thanks to the optimized vehicle body frame structure and optimum arrangement of soundproofing materials. The underpinnings also allow for a lower installation of the engine, which provides a lower center of gravity. Speaking of the engine, Toyota will offer the new Crown with three different powertrains. The only non-hybrid option is a 2.0-liter turbo gas unit with 245 horsepower (180 kilowatts) and 258 pound-feet (350 Newton-meters) of torque.
Two hybrid variants will be available, combining 2.5- and 3.5-liter gas engines respectively with an electric motor and nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion battery. The smaller powertrain has a peak power of 226 hp (166 kW), while the more powerful one produces 359 hp (264 kW).
Order books in Japan will be opened next month with Toyota planning to sell no less than 4,500 units monthly.