Text | Wang Pengyu

Pictures | Source Internet

The Crown is coming back! That's right, the Toyota Crown, which has been delisted in China and has also announced the discontinuation of production overseas, is about to make a comeback again. And according to reliable news, the return of the Crown will not use niche methods such as "parallel import" to satisfy the "collection desires" of individual consumers, but will be implemented in FAW Toyota's 2021 new car plan.

In FAW Toyota's "2021 New Car Launch Plan" circulated on the Internet a few days ago, the "Crown-Lufang" has attracted much attention as a new model. Judging from the "New Crown" renderings released by Japanese media, many netizens speculate that Crown will return to the market as an SUV. It is reported that FAW Toyota has registered the Chinese name and trademark of the "Crown-Lufang" independent sub-brand, paving the way for the Crown brand to return to the Chinese market.

However, recently, Brother Yi learned through relevant channels that the "Crown" is not a new SUV, but the first large and medium-sized luxury SUV product that FAW Toyota is about to put into production - the Lufang series. "Highest-end" models. In other words, the Crown will not return in the form of an SUV like the "Online", but will become a "high-end series" embedded in different car series. In theory, it is similar to Mercedes-Benz's Maybach series and Buick's Avenir high-end models.

Obviously, Toyota is unwilling to give up this star IP that has been successfully "operated" for 65 years. Even though the executive sedan market has shrunk, Crown still needs to find the most appropriate way to return to people's attention. This "capital-light" comeback plan, which does not develop a separate car series, does not increase manufacturing and communication costs, and does not test the risks of the blue ocean market, is the "best arrangement" for Crown.

According to "Cheyitiao"'s understanding from relevant parties, in addition to the medium and large SUV model "Crown-Lufang" being launched on the market next year, the production and sales of "Crown Edition" high-end models will continue to be rapidly introduced. And it is very likely that the "Crown" series will be introduced into all categories of models covering SUVs, MPVs and cars.

Another new model that has been confirmed to be labeled as Crown and will be produced in China for the first time is the high-end MPV Wilfa that FAW Toyota has imported. If nothing goes wrong, it will be a higher-end and more luxurious flagship business MPV——" Crown-Wilfa” is most likely to make its public debut in the first half of next year.

Informed people speculated based on this that as for cars, the Toyota Asia Dragon, which has already proven itself in the Chinese market, is most likely to add a "Crown Edition" highest-end model for the first time, to compete with the Buick LaCrosse Avenir** *Same attack on the "executive-level mid-to-high-end sedan" market. However, similar speculations have so far failed to prove that "Crown-Lu Fang" has registered a unique Chinese trademark.

After successively introducing "Crown Edition" to serve as the family flagship, many of Toyota's "global star cars" that have never been domestically produced will also be domestically produced by FAW Toyota.

For example, the "Crown-Lu Fang" mentioned above, because of the blessing of the higher-end and more sentimental "Crown" brand, the latter will serve as a larger model with a higher positioning than the GAC Toyota Highlander. The introduction of medium-sized luxury SUVs into the Chinese market provides domestic consumers with configurations and functions that are more in line with China's road conditions and usage scenarios.

New car configurations that have been exposed overseas reveal that this new car will also be based on Toyota's TNGA-K platform, equipped with a 7-seat layout, TSS assisted driving system and an 8-inch/12.3-inch central control screen. Based on the current 7-seater SUV, it adds technology and comfort attributes.

Referring to the power parameters of the overseas version of the new Highlander 2.5L hybrid, the new car’s comprehensive maximum power can reach 182kW, which is better than the domestically produced Avalon and RAV4 Rongfang. At the same time, under the action of the hybrid system, the new car's fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is only 6.6L, which is more in line with the economic needs of family cars.

The fourth-generation Harrier, which is also a global model, will also continue to expand Toyota's SUV territory in the form of "domestic production".

According to reliable sources, under the dual-vehicle strategy, FAW Toyota will undertake the production of the "original model" of Harrier. In terms of power, the new car will still be equipped with a 2.0L self-priming engine and a 2.5 hybrid power combination, which is consistent with the RAV4 Rongfang.

In the MPV field, the Toyota Sienna, which has been sold as an import for many years, is finally going into production. According to the exact information, this car will also adopt a "dual-car strategy" for differentiated sales, but the platform architecture, powertrain and internal space will not make much difference. This means that after many years of GL8 dominance, people finally have two other reliable choices.

And thanks to this "internal differentiation", it is possible for two "completely different" appearance kits, the overseas fashion version and the sports version, to exist, while allowing young users to have more Reasons and motivation to buy more MPVs.

As for sedans, FAW Toyota's "? ALLION", which has been unveiled at the Guangzhou Auto Show, will also be launched next year. It is reported that in order to be better known by users, the new car will be named "Asia Lion" and form a more comprehensive "car matrix" with Asia Dragon.

From the data, the new car is expected to upgrade the wheelbase to 2750mm, forming a step change that is "half a step higher" than the Corolla in terms of seating space. In terms of power, the new car will be equipped with the same M20A 2.0L self-priming engine as the Avalon, equipped with dual cycle, dual injection and variable compression ratio, with a thermal efficiency of 40.

By then, with the larger engine displacement and body size in its class, the new car will become an A-class sedan in the Toyota system that is easier to drive, more family-friendly, and more cost-effective.

In addition, FAW Toyota will launch the Corolla equipped with a new 1.5L engine under the TNGA architecture to replace the 1.2T engine version with a smaller basic displacement, focusing on fuel economy; RAV4 Rongfang Dual Engine E, As FAW Toyota's second PHEV model, it will further promote Toyota's electrification strategy in China and provide new options for consumers' diversified vehicle needs.

Not only does the "Crown Return" help the brand improve, but also new engines and plug-in hybrid technologies are in-depth electrification. Coupled with the continuous expansion of TNGA strategic models, it is fully preparing for cars, SUVs, and MPVs. Next, FAW Toyota is about to usher in a substantial and meaningful "product year".

Facing the "red" performance in the cold winter of the auto market, FAW Toyota's goal is naturally to continue this momentum.

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.