The Toyota Crown: A Rival to the Hyundai Grandeur
Recently Unveiled Matte Metal Limited Edition
How Different is it from the Existing Crown?
Last month, Toyota announced the special-specification vehicle Crown The Limited Matte Metal (hereinafter Matte Metal) to coincide with the opening of Crown specialty stores, such as the CROWN Tokyo Toranomon and the CROWN Osaka Senri.
In addition to the existing crossover and sport models, this model is characterized by its expansion to sedans. Its matte finish distinguishes it from the existing Crown sedan, and its exterior and interior are differentiated. Let’s take a look at the detailed news related to this.
The New Matte Painting Technology Considers Maintenance
For this Crown Matte Metal Sedan, a new painting technology was applied that complements the shortcomings of the existing matte paint. The existing matte paint provides a luxurious appearance but is easily contaminated and difficult to clean. To solve this, Toyota introduced the new TM Coat technology. This coating technology maintains the unique feeling of matte paint while being resistant to contamination and easy to maintain.
In addition to the exterior color, the design elements throughout the vehicle add to the differentiation. In the case of the sedan model, a full matte color was applied, and the wheels were also matte black. This increased the sense of unity of the matte design throughout the vehicle and showed a clear difference from the general model. The deep color and luxurious atmosphere are unique to the matte and give a stronger impression than the existing Crown model.
High-Quality Materials Create a Distinctive Interior
The interior of the Matte Metal edition is also clearly differentiated from the standard Crown sedan. One of the most notable features is the exclusive “black raster” color applied to the console lid and door armrests, giving the cabin a distinctive, sophisticated ambiance. The addition of black wood panels further elevates the luxurious feel, while the steering wheel and gear knob feature dimpling, designed to enhance the tactile experience.
A key aspect of this model is its limited edition status, reinforced by laser engraving technology throughout the interior. These subtle details, combined with the car’s exclusive availability at Crown-branded stores, create an air of rarity and exclusivity for this special version.
HYBRID & FCEV Lineup Set to Launch in Early 2025
Two types of powertrain are offered: the hybrid (HEV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV), which are the same as the basic model. The FCEV is an eco-friendly model that considers fuel efficiency and performance. The latest battery and fuel cell technology is applied to maximize efficiency. Toyota plans to further strengthen its position in the premium market through the limited Crown sedan model.
The launch is scheduled for spring 2025, and the price has not yet been announced. However, it will likely be priced higher than the existing Crown sedan. For reference, the same Crown crossover matte model is sold in Japan for around 7.5 million yen (about $49,344). The Crown matte metal sedan is also expected to be priced similarly or slightly higher.
