Toyota has just concluded the introduction of its expanded (and somewhat complex and confusingly named) Crown family in Japan, featuring an array of body styles, including the sedan-ish and wagon-ish (Signia) crossovers destined for the States, and the SUV and sedan that won’t grace North American shores.
Despite the current lineup lacking high-performance variants, rumors circulating in the automotive world suggest the development of an upcoming spirited Crown Crossover, with a nod of approval from the Gazoo Racing (GR) department.
While a less extreme GR Sport trim sounds more fitting to the laid-back character of the Crown, there are reports from Japanese media indicating that Toyota is in the process of developing a full-blown GR model, which could potentially become the first in the lineup to incorporate a self-charging hybrid powertrain.
Illustrations Thanos Pappas/CarScoops
In the absence of spy shots or official teasers for the first GR Crown, we can only speculate about its appearance. Our exclusive rendering envisions a lowered version of the crossover featuring a beefy set of new alloy wheels and a fairly aggressive bodykit.
More: Toyota Crown Sport SUV Launches In Japan With A Ferrari Purosangue Flair For $40k
It incorporates more pronounced front and rear bumpers with enlarged intakes and body-colored plastic cladding, akin to other GR models such as the Yaris and Corolla. This sporty overhaul effectively transforms the Crown from a crossover into a sleeker looking fastback-style sedan.
Moving inside, Toyota designers will likely opt for a dark theme, with red stitching contrasting the black upholstery. It is safe to assume that the front seats will be heavily bolstered and GR emblems will be added all around the cabin.
According to information obtained by Japan’s Best Car, the Toyota GR Crown is poised to feature a more powerful AWD hybrid powertrain. This will reportedly include an upgraded version of the turbocharged 2.4-liter gasoline engine, producing 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS), an increase from the standard model’s 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS). With the retention of the dual electric motors, battery, and eCVT gearbox, the combined output could potentially reach or even surpass the 375 hp (280 kW / 380 PS) mark. For context, the Crown Crossover RS with the optional Hybrid Max powertrain currently makes 344 hp (257 kW / 349 PS).
More: Toyota Crown Could Gain A New Off-Road Special Edition
More crucial than the added power are the chassis enhancements said to be pursued by Toyota’s GR engineers. These include a revamped suspension configuration, additional bracing, enhanced brakes, and more responsive steering, all aimed at elevating the handling and overall fun-to-drive experience of the Crown Crossover. This GR treatment holds the potential to extend to the broader Crown family, with the Crown Sport SUV in a Purosangue-style format emerging as a promising candidate.
Is It Coming Soon?
The anticipated debut of the Toyota GR Crown Crossover is rumored to occur as early as the summer of 2024, with an estimated price range of ¥7-7.5 million (about US$47,000-$51,000 at current exchange rates) in its home market in Japan. While the Crown is also available in North America, we can only hope that Toyota considers bringing this hotter hybrid variant stateside, though it remains a matter of speculation for now.
The GR-branded model isn’t the sole rumored addition to the Crown Crossover lineup. A Toyota chief engineer recently dropped hints about a potentially more rugged version inspired by the Crown Outdoor Concept showcased in 2023.
Note: The independent rendering is not related to nor endorsed by Toyota
