japanese size luxury car serving flagship model luxury division toyota fourth generation models featured engines rear wheel drive offering wheel drive hybrid long variants model developed debuted january second generation debuting november debuted january series domestic market version toyota japanese toyota sold japan introduced model year fourth generation debuted production speed automatic transmission automatic parking system hybrid introduced development began project code secret flagship resulting followed extended year design process cost billion premiered new engine numerous luxury features intended inception export markets division formed market service vehicle internationally original debuted strong sales largely responsible successful launch start production generation manufactured japanese city stands luxury use generation august toyota chairman initiated project flagship vehicle alternatively called circle project clandestine effort aimed producing world class luxury international markets development effort specific budget time constraints resulting vehicle utilize existing toyota platforms parts instead chief engineer sought develop new design aiming surpass rival american european flagship specific target areas including cabin overall speed fuel efficiency development designers engineers split teams technicians support workers built approximately flagship prototypes engine prototypes logged million kilometres testing locations ranging winter europe roadways arizona australia saudi_arabia highways wilderness areas designers started work project late designers presented exterior study models management featuring sports car like design low hood narrow profile box design upright stance prominent tone body extensive modeling wind tunnel tests resulted low drag conventional production vehicle time passenger cabin materials selection tests evaluated different kinds wood multiple types leather years settling specific trim combinations created support launch flagship vehicle known following design reviews subsequent revisions concept approval september billion development expenses final design production chassis code frozen design patents filed january debut model detroit michigan sales began september followed limited exports australia canada united_kingdom new valve engine capable kilowatts newton metres lbf linked new speed automatic transmission controlled shifts super flow rear differential chassis independent double suspension setup passive air suspension system optional kilometres hour mph time seconds speed kilometres hour mph compared rival target cabin kilometres hour mph higher speed lower drag curb weight avoided gas tax introduction won car year japan award luxury feature automatic tilt steering wheel power shoulder seat belts rear view mirror passenger cabin included california leather trim power seats soft touch controls lit gauge cluster featured visual effect indicator lights projected instrument panel memory system stored driver seat mirror steering wheel seat belt positions available luxury options included premium sound system integrated cellular telephone hands free capabilities contained technological innovations aid smooth operation silence including fluid cabin fixtures vibration rubber mounts sandwich steel body panels japan launch complicated toyota existing domestic networks time introduction toyota crown exclusive toyota store locations development local dealers requests japanese domestic market version grown right hand drive toyota version introduced shortly debut introduced october available locations named latin word supreme largely identical models came basic upgraded suspension fully equipped trim specifications crown appeared later available toyota store locations carried japan toyota luxury models like century introduced world high performance twin tube shock air suspension combined upgraded version toyota semi active called ahead time introduced similar controlled air suspension adding incentive early sales base price competitors thousands dollars brought accusations selling cost rival december shortly launch ordered voluntary recall vehicles sold far based customer complaints brake light vehicles serviced days incident helped establish customer service reputation sales surpassed competing jaguar models production generation totaled units years introduction remained reliable choice car making list recommended vehicles regularly proper maintenance debuting september model designed introduced changes largely response customer dealer requests vehicle received larger disc brakes wheels tires adjustments suspension power steering systems improve handling stylistic changes included additional body revised greater selection colors interior standard passenger toyota built series production car available passenger external temperature gauge digital seat belt free added introduced world gps navigation system voice instructions supplied base price exceeded figure steadily risen vehicle introduction customer demand vehicle shifts foreign exchange rates contributed increase price growing popularity internationally asset toyota japan entered economic recession later called collapse japanese asset price bubble bubble economy production generation ended september way production second generation model october second generation second generation debuted november model year longer similar specifications original model public unveiling vehicle occurred gala ceremony held san francisco opera house california equipped updated engine producing kilowatts newton metres lbf internally redesigned composition new redesigned increased sound strengthened body structure suspension updates air suspension improved brakes redesigned model lighter predecessor achieved slightly better fuel economy kilometres hour mph time improved seconds development second generation began worldwide launch generation given generation model successful reception high level customer satisfaction design original attributes successor chief engineer primary goals stated tradition founded reject generation externally significant change increase length resulting interior space additional rear seat overall length remained trunk capacity slightly reduced aerodynamic body retained general profile original work center evaluated competing concepts including radically changed body selecting winning entry included forms similar original final approval evolutionary redesign ultimate result new design features consisting angles curved body lines prominent lines provided reference point parking maneuvers forward visibility improved production development lasted conclusion second quarter redesigned interior received upgraded features varying dual zone climate controls rear newly patented seat design similar car suspension utilized lightweight internal springs bars improve comfort dash offered option safety enhancements included enlarged zones point seat belts positions new steering column japan toyota offered configurations additional selection exterior colors optional features compact disc based gps navigation system rear seats available japan debut redesigned retained advantage european competitors largest market launching base price cost differences narrowed following aggressive added feature content rival manufacturers promote new flagship launched million advertising campaign expensive marketing effort launch division sales slowed government threatened japanese luxury cars widening trade deficit potentially raising price fully optioned subsequent negotiations sanctions second quarter year sales recovered following months ultimately second generation sales original model production totaled approximately units production ran october july limited coach edition produced partnership american leather manufacturer edition featured coach leather seats exterior special colors added trim coach cabin bag production limited yearly run units designed september revised introduced model year changes speed automatic transmission increased engine output kilowatts variable valve timing added newton metres lbf acceleration times fuel economy improved result suspension steering received minor improve feel handling vehicle sported new mirrors updated wheels rear diversity antenna replaced conventional power mast cabin received upgrades including trip computer retractable rear reading lamps glass climate control gained feature august production laser cruise control toyota vehicle introduced version japan controlled speed throttle control apply brakes laser technology limitations bad weather rom based gps automotive navigation system option added safety features included vehicle stability control brake assist introduced low beam hid equipped delay feature proximity illumination february limited platinum series introduced chicago auto partnership edition featured luxury options standard separate exterior colors wheels years fee use generation generation debuted january model introducing new body design host new interior technological features market cruise control called dynamic laser employed unlike laser introduced able activate brakes laser technology limitations bad weather equipped new engine generating kilowatts newton metres lbf gasoline vehicles certified standard suspension completely redesigned double setup wheels euro tuned suspension offered time new activated electronic control unit throttle adjustments based vehicle speed engine revolutions minute pedal position sported kilometres hour mph acceleration time seconds sales began october heading planning division executives concluded previous redesign restrained approach development team led chief engineer accordingly opted thorough exterior interior technological redevelopment development took years selected different concept designs resulting vehicle december final design approved saw dimensions increase terms height exterior featured larger rounded edges quarter windows rear doors rounded body aerodynamic previous air suspension product wind tunnel testing facilities bullet train development stretch resulted interior volume allowed engine positioned aft better balance trunk space increased fuel tank compared previous generations featured greater number model configurations options sharing body style variants differentiated chassis configuration onboard equipment models euro tuned sport suspension sold touring package featured larger high speed brakes brakes standard european market models fully optioned models height air suspension tuned combination soft ride responsive handling sold ultra luxury edition interior featured wood trim upper doors semi leather air conditioning gps navigation system totally redesigned liquid crystal display upper center console served interface voice controlled navigation system featuring dvd instead rom maps luxury introduced premium sound system highest trim specification included link power door trunk heated cooled seats power rear seats equipped audio controls power cooler air rear seat features adopted previously available japanese market luxury vehicles safety features added included rear curtain park sensors rain sensing electronic distribution vehicle gained water glass went sale initial base price ranging fully equipped high end european rivals increasingly able command higher price vehicles sales surpassed previous generation production exceeded units produced july marking occasion flagship produced single body style japan equivalent toyota sold august march long awaited introduction japan saw arrival new generation models design patents filed toyota domestic japan march patent number year production reliable luxury early late models series best performing highest recorded scorer history vehicle survey ratings data listed theft prevention capabilities maximum stars automobile achieve maximum theft rating designed update debuted september model radar instead previous allowed new dynamic radar cruise control work weather conditions millimeter wave radar technology enabled partial autonomous braking japanese market toyota version low speed tracking mode added low speed speed tracking mode second mode warn driver car ahead stopped provide braking stop car introduced new speed automatic transmission revised powerplant remained exterior changes included rear light led different wheels debuted high intensity discharge high beam curve direction vehicle turns interior received knee rear seat mirrors new trim selections including bird eye maple wood new options included updated navigation system backup camera driver electronic key feature allowed vehicle detect key owner pocket unlock doors touch fourth generation development fourth generation began design process final production design frozen october premiered gasoline electric hybrid concept car hybrid tokyo motor publicly flagship concept version time introduced january north american international auto model year fourth generation model produced standard long versions new platform uses standard features stretched fourth generation models technical specifications shown greater detail geneva motor february hybrid version previewed april introduction won car year japan award second time equipped new producing kilowatts newton metres lbf coupled production speed automatic transmission acceleration kilometres hour mph listed seconds development variants led chief engineer began shifting design strategy product lineup new vehicle launches largely focused global markets plans called generation differentiate previous models terms design technology super model priced ultra luxury category considered externally received cues new design direction called shown concept vehicle gained body forms running length car wheel arches arrow shaped trim lower set interior gained push button start thin film instrument display numerous luxury options ranging hard disk drive based gps navigation system song library heated steering wheel standard equipment included power way driver way passenger seats adjustment seat leather premium sound system power trunk pass climate control offered infrared body temperature sensors automobile featured ceiling air executive seating package included rear seat dvd entertainment system swivel table ottoman seat continuous controlled addition automated parallel parking assist feature kind allowed steer parking spaces drive assist features included brake hold system radar cruise control electric variable gear ratio power steering controlled braking new stability control system improved alter steering assist gear suite new safety features extended eye tracking lane departure warning system pre collision system added production image processing chip car capable identifying vehicles pedestrians real time millimeter radar stereo cameras infrared night vision rear pre collision system preventing active seat dual chamber introduced arrived japan europe late vehicle reached australia middle_east base prices respectively average price paid market exceeded largely added options packages placing average price range long jaguar rivals time debuting hybrid concept began sales production powered hybrid vehicle model year long equipped featuring engine high output electric motor metal battery packs system uses continuously variable transmission generates output kilowatts fuel economy slightly higher overall lower powered non hybrid hybrids achieve super ultra low vehicle rating features specific hybrids include production low beam led leather trimmed dash blue hybrid april announced base price surpassing equipped expensive japanese luxury car produced standard version destined asia europe launched japan sold offered launch edition models marcus catalog members wheel drive versions non hybrid models premiered moscow international motor debuting beach beach edition limited units produced partnership specialized installed driving toyota japan automotive safety testing tokyo safety exhibition safety concept unveiled showing road vehicle vehicle vehicle information exchange technologies debuting late model year revised included rear mirror turn signals new wheel designs new technology included automatic high beam lights self repairing clear coat exterior paint standard cabin received additional trim optional dvd entertainment system center certain markets digital instrument panel night vision capability sport performance variant equipped sport tuned air suspension brakes forged wheels body kit unique interior added sport model received shift transmission found matching capability manual mode new interior program select available customers japan present released official photograph series july substantial update incorporates new corporate comprising consequently sees redesigned hood plus new revisions retention profile doors including rear newly designed tail lamps trunk lid rear partially modified time sport variant offered technology air conditioning system water molecules manufacturing consistently produced dedicated assembly lines toyota flagship factory located city region southwest remains sole production site having inaugurated new line number specifically assembly original plant developed new enhanced assembly techniques instituted measures aimed increasing precision fit finish production automobile receive extensive laser allowing seamless steel large sheet metal press developed reduce eliminate panel gaps large sections instead singly separately installed parts exterior lights spring loaded fit engineers reduced door panel gaps half versus toyota brand vehicles measurements millimetres measurement margins increased production switched number laser doubled despite large scale production involves specialized personnel tasked key production points testing vehicle engine installation hand paint process introduced production standards eventually adopted manufacturer vehicles assembly toyota economy cars panel gap measurements eighteen years earlier industrial significance marked successful japanese manufacturer prestige luxury arena market long dominated established european american brands selling model overtaken overall sales passed luxury sales leader largest automotive market rival manufacturers responded lower prices added features particular reorganized operations shifting targeted cost process similar production methods dropped competing base prices nearly percent rival extra features rushed launch causing budget costing job chief engineer approximately percent sales went buyers employed rival manufacturers including ford engineering analysis engineers concluded vehicle built existing methods industry publications noted precise panel gaps subject common evaluation standard road tests interior noise level later rival makes measure cabin quiet according industry observers introduction toyota image manufacturer builder automotive standard bearer stood contrast predictions early detractors including rival manufacturers dismissed toyota incapable producing competitive luxury vehicle japanese contemporaries luxury divisions differing degrees success entered joint venture britain november launching letter intent replace provide powered luxury called legend marketed initially sold subsequent models renamed performed sales expectations launched december powered closely specifications price unsuccessful sales attributed unconventional marketing leading success test case mainstream manufacturers targeting segments investing separate toyota able avoid stigma attached mass market brand charging premium prices effect automotive industry led add important vehicles 20th century list concept shown tokyo motor previews generation flagship concept dominated signature entire car aggressive angular design sales production largest market selling flagship luxury years following debut japan largest market introduction attracted pre orders gone sell successfully class following introduction expanded global launch sales flagship increasingly come outside brand traditional strongholds ranked second globally flagship sales units sold worldwide half total coming outside market sales fell amidst recession overall decline luxury car market sold europe suffers smaller brand recognition image developed network european markets czech_republic ranked flagship luxury car sales automotive analysts suggested possible rationale sales european buyers place emphasis vehicle reliability brand loyalty established domestic contrast ranked second sales ahead rivals jaguar markets outside europe south_africa technical specifications awards notable examples awards received include world car year international car year canadian car year wheels car year gear year highest rated luxury car car driver long term reliable car consecutive years manufacturer ranked reliable vehicle tested safety awards include innovation prize pre collision system consecutive place rankings car security best safety cars technical honors range ward best engines best sound system cars consumer publications flagship model recognized reliable vehicles built having held ranking consecutive years place
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