We’ve not obtained the Toyota Crown in no less than a number of a long time, however now that the 16th-generation mannequin is a worldwide mannequin, we would possibly simply be on the cusp of getting one once more. Yours really noticed one on the Federal Freeway this afternoon undisguised and sporting Selangor commerce plates, on its approach to Glenmarie.

The most recent Crown is a reasonably odd automobile – the enduring Japanese sedan has morphed right into a kind of crossover, nonetheless with a discrete boot, bringing to thoughts vehicles just like the short-lived Volvo S60 Cross Nation. Including to the weirdness are the abnormally extensive decrease grille, separated boot/rear finish design and, on the automotive you see right here, a flamboyant two-tone color scheme.

All variants are powered by a hybrid powertrain, as denoted by the Hybrid Synergy Drive badge on the boot lid. This pairs a 186 PS/221 Nm 2.5 litre A25A-FXS naturally-aspirated engine with an electrical motor to provide a complete system output of 234 PS. There’s additionally a extra highly effective Twin Enhance model obtainable that swaps the NA engine for a 272 PS/460 Nm 2.four litre T24A-FTS turbo mill, bumping complete energy to 349 PS.

May UMW Toyota Motor be testing this weird sedan/SUV crossover for an eventual native launch? Properly, the corporate has stated that it needs to add extra hybrid fashions to its lineup, however we’re unsure this was what it meant. It has already proven us a thinly-veiled trace of what it plans to herald on the latest Past Zero occasion, and that’s the Camry and Alphard/Vellfire Hybrid.

These two autos stand a greater likelihood at interesting to the everyday Malaysian purchaser than the Crown, which is a distinct segment curiosity at greatest and an virtually sure gross sales flop at worst.

In spite of everything, the Crown isn’t promoting effectively within the US, one other sedan-biased market slowly transferring in direction of SUVs, so it doesn’t bode effectively for a possible Malaysian launch. Then again, Japanese-market Toyotas have bought fairly effectively right here earlier than. Simply ask the Harrier – and now that that automotive is set to be discontinued, maybe the Crown may swoop in to take its place.

However we’re getting forward of ourselves right here. If you happen to look carefully on the entrance finish, you’ll be capable to spot the Crown badge as a substitute of the common Toyota oval discovered on worldwide fashions. This factors to the automotive being a Japanese-spec unit – a Crossover G “Leather-based Package deal”, in case you have been curious.

As such, this unit is probably going a gray import or, at most, an analysis unit and no extra. In reality, a fast perusal on a couple of classifieds web sites revealed fairly a couple of reconditioned Crowns on sale, priced between RM320,000 to RM470,000.

So, the Crown might be not for us, then. However hey, doesn’t damage to dream, proper?

GALLERY: Toyota Crown Crossover

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