2024 Toyota Crown Hybrid spotted in Malaysia – are we really getting this exotic crossover sedan/SUV?
We haven’t gotten a Toyota Crown in at least a few decades, but now 16th generation model as a global model, we maybe Just about to get there again. Yours truly spotted one on the Federal Highway this afternoon uncamouflaged and wearing Selangor license plates, on its way to Glenmarie.
The latest Crown is quite a strange car – the iconic Japanese sedan has turned into a sort of crossover, still with a removable trunk, reminiscent of short-lived cars. Volvo S60 Cross Country. Adding to the strangeness is an unusually wide lower grille, a separate trunk/rear design and, on the car you see here, a vibrant two-tone color scheme.
All variants are equipped with a hybrid powertrain, indicated by the Hybrid Synergy Drive badge on the boot lid. This combines the 186 PS/221 Nm 2.5-litre A25A-FXS naturally aspirated engine with an electric motor for a total system output of 234 PS. There is also a more powerful Dual Boost version that swaps the NA engine for a 2.4-liter T24A-FTS turbocharged engine with a capacity of 272 PS/460 Nm, bringing total capacity to 349 PS.
Could UMW Toyota Motor test this exotic crossover sedan/SUV for a local launch? Yes, the company has said it wants to More hybrid models into its product line, but we’re not sure if this is what it’s meant to be. It showed us a vague hint of what it plans to deliver at the recent Beyond Zero event, and it was Camry And Alphard/Vellfire hybrid.
These two models have a better chance of attracting the typical Malaysian buyer than the Crown, which is at best a niche curiosity and at worst its sales are almost certain to fail.
The Crown, after all Not selling well in America, another sedan-oriented market is gradually shifting towards SUVs, so this does not bode well for a possible launch in Malaysia. On the other hand, Toyota cars in the Japanese market have previously sold well here. Just ask Eagle – and now that car has is set to stop workingperhaps the Crown could swoop in to take its place.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. If you look closely at the front of the car, you’ll be able to notice the Crown badge instead of the Toyota oval often seen on international models. This suggests the car is a Japanese-spec car – “Leather Pack” Crossover G, in case you were curious.
Therefore, this unit could be a gray import unit or at most an evaluation unit and no more. In fact, a quick look on some classifieds sites revealed quite a few refurbished Crowns selling for between RM320,000 and RM470,000.
So maybe Crown isn’t for us. But hey, dreaming doesn’t hurt, right?
COLLECTION: Toyota Crown Crossover
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