What Does the New Toyota Crown Mean for the Next-Generation Lexus GS?


Toyota has just released a next-generation Crown sedan exclusively for the Japanese market, making it the second such model I’ve posted about this week. However, unlike the Toyota Century, this new sedan might actually make an impact on the Lexus lineup.

There has been much discussion on the future of the Lexus GS, and that makes the Toyota Crown very important indeed. The two models have shared platforms and engines since 1993, this new Crown has been extensively redeveloped. It now uses a modified version of the GA-L platform from the new Lexus LS sedan & LC coupe, and the same hybrid powertrain also offered on both Lexus flagships. For all intents and purposes, this Toyota is already a Lexus underneath the sheet metal.

Not to discount the additional development required, but the Crown offers a basic shell that could be used for a next-generation Lexus GS. Exterior and interior styling would have to change, but then that plays exactly into the brand’s strengths. It should be noted that Lexus no longer needs a second mid-size sedan, but the GS could be refactored into a four-door coupe and be elevated to a more prestigious (and lucrative) segment.

It may all be in the timing, as Lexus has brought out three new cars (LC, LS, ES) into a market that prefers SUVs and crossovers. There’s been an understandable shift in priority for the brand, with the focus now shifting to the UX and the fast-tracked production version of the LF-1 Limitless crossover. But the pendulum will swing back at some point, and with the Toyota Crown, Lexus can easily have a new GS just waiting in the wings.

Lexus GS: Fourth Generation
Comments
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
ssun30
Interesting to see they are using the low output version of the A25A for the longitudinal hybrid. I wonder if the battery pack is also the same as the transverse version. This could mean the two '300h' systems have the same output (well, they are just the same system with different orientation).
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
spwolf
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
It's amusing that they are still using the Li-ion pack exclusively on the Camry Hybrid LE, with the reason being 'cost concerns', on the cheapest hybrid trim.

And now they just invested in a NiMH battery plant in China. Looks like those outdated technology from last century isn't going away anytime soon. Toyota is all the way up there with the U.S. military for the philosophy of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.
spwolf
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
It's amusing that they are still using the Li-ion pack exclusively on the Camry Hybrid LE, with the reason being 'cost concerns', on the cheapest hybrid trim.

And now they just invested in a NiMH battery plant in China. Looks like those outdated technology from last century isn't going away anytime soon. Toyota is all the way up there with the U.S. military for the philosophy of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.
spwolf
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
It's amusing that they are still using the Li-ion pack exclusively on the Camry Hybrid LE, with the reason being 'cost concerns', on the cheapest hybrid trim.

And now they just invested in a NiMH battery plant in China. Looks like those outdated technology from last century isn't going away anytime soon. Toyota is all the way up there with the U.S. military for the philosophy of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.
spwolf
hopefully they can do more hp via battery pack, they can still do more.
It's amusing that they are still using the Li-ion pack exclusively on the Camry Hybrid LE, with the reason being 'cost concerns', on the cheapest hybrid trim.

And now they just invested in a NiMH battery plant in China. Looks like those outdated technology from last century isn't going away anytime soon. Toyota is all the way up there with the U.S. military for the philosophy of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.

S