For immediate release

September 24,1999

Toyota Gives Crown Completely New Shine

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-Enhanced Design Defines 21 Century Luxury-

Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION has redefined luxury by fully redesigning and
refining its Crown and Crown Majesta flagships, setting the standard for 21st century mobile
comfort and quality. The all-new models, including a debuting Athlete Series, which compliments
the refreshed Crown Royal, cruise in to Toyota dealerships nationwide today.

The Crown has earned acclaim as a leading name in Japanese luxury cars for nearly half a
century, with more than 4 million units having been sold in Japan since its debut in 1955. This
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latest full model change―the 11 in the Crown's illustrious history — brings innovations in
performance and handling, enhanced environmentally-conscious features, and upgraded safety
and comfort. And for the sportier at heart, the new Crown Athlete Series offers a level of driving
performance that exceeds what is normally expected of conventional luxury cars.

* Pre-redesign models have also been improved and re-released.

Crown Majesta 4.0 C Type

Crown Royal Saloon G Crown Athlete V

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 The Jewels That Make the Crown

The new Crown redefines the modem luxury sedan. The engine and fuel tank have been moved
closer to the center of the vehicle, reducing the inertial momentum of yaw (side-to-side
movement), increasing driving performance and allowing for a larger luggage space and cabin.
The exterior and interior design blend the Crown's traditional elegance with outspoken modem
styling.

A newly-developed 3.0 liter direct fuel-injection BEAMS*1 D-4 engine has been added to the
engine lineup. The Crown also features a new platform, a new body with increased rigidity, and a
new double wishbone rear suspension. Expanding on the Crown's traditional high-quality driving
performance and riding comfort, these features also provide outstanding handling and driving
stability.

The new Crown incorporates a variety of environmentally-conscious features. All models have
low emission levels that meet new emissions regulations*2, and models with the 3.0 liter direct
fuel-injection BEAMS D-4 engine are among the most fuel-efficient luxury sedans available.
Toyota's new easily-recycled TSOP (Toyota Super Olefin Polymer) material has also been used
extensively in these models.

The new Crown has adopted the latest innovations in safety technology. For preventive safety,
more Crown models have been equipped with the revolutionary VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
system. New technologies added include EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) in the
anti-lock braking system, and ARS (active rear steering). For collision safety, the GOA*3 body has
been refined, and new SRS (supplemental restraint system) curtain shield airbags have been
added.

The interior has been designed for occupant comfort, with numerous comfort refinements and an
improved ultra-high level of quietness.

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BEAMS: Breakthrough Engine with Advanced Mechanism System
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* Most models also meet the stricter J-TLEV levels, emission levels set as temporary technical
guidelines by Japan's Environment Agency.
*3
GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment): A world-class safety evaluation

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 Outlining Luxury

I. A redesigned package redefines the modern luxury sedan—exterior and interior design blend
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Crown s traditional elegance with outspoken modern styling.

• Redesign for a better ride

Outstanding handling and driving stability have been achieved by moving the engine
closer to the vehicle's center and placing the fuel tank under the floor below the rear seats.
This arrangement reduces the inertial momentum of yaw, while also making room for a
larger trunk.

A higher seat position and overall vehicle height, combined with a larger cabin, create
ample legroom, lateral room and head room in both the front and back.

The look of luxury is enhanced by a high-rigidity sash-type structure, which allows for
larger doors to match the spacious cabin. The doors also have a weightier feel and
improve the quietness of the cabin.

• Exterior and interior design blend the Crown's traditional elegance with outspoken styling.

Exterior design
While maintaining its distinctive front and clear-cut horizontally-based design, the new
Crown turns to its larger cabin and short front overhang to create an energetic form.

The Crown Majesta takes elegance and luxury to the next level, while the Royal Series
finds its strength in being the definitive formal Japanese luxury car. And the newest
addition to Crown excellence, the Athlete Series, takes bold and high-performance looks
to a new dimension.

Interior design
The materialization of an easy-to-use, ergonomically designed layout combines with the
established design of the Crown instrument panel,

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 giving the interior a sensation of openness. The interior is enlivened by wood grain panels,
color-coordinated to match any of the three interior color patterns.

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II. The Crown s traditional high-quality driving performance and riding comfort have been refined,
while providing outstanding handling and driving stability.

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• New 21 century engines boast s ample power and high fuel efficiency. A
newly-developed 3.0 liter direct fuel-injection BEAMS D-4 engine, a 4.0 liter V8 engine,
and a new 2.5 liter turbo engine come with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent), a
feature that maximizes torque in all engine speed ranges. All can be used in combination
with the advanced 5 SuperECT, ECT-iE, or ECT-i transmissions.

3.0 liter direct fuel-injection BEAMS D-4 gasoline engine

Direct fuel-injection allows ultra-lean combustion. The fuel spray is more dispersed, and
the shapes of the fuel spray and piston top surfaces have been optimized. These
improvements expand the ultra-lean combustion range, and offer unprecedented fuel
efficiency at all engine speeds. The combination of VVT-i, an electronically-controlled
throttle, and straight port heads for low air intake resistance results in powerful driving
performance and outstanding driveability.

5 SuperECT
5 SuperECT is an advanced 5-speed automatic transmission featuring flexible lock-up
control and shifting controlled by AI (artificial intelligence). When combined with a direct
fuel-injection gasoline engine or other high-efficiency engine, SuperECT provides an
outstanding balance of high fuel efficiency and lively acceleration.
The Athlete Series also includes Steer Shiftmatic, a function that provides highly
responsive shifting.

The new platform reduces the inertial momentum of yaw, improving handling
responsiveness and cornering. The redesigned rear double wishbone suspension
reduces the change in the vehicle's center of gravity during a roll, and improves driving
stability and riding flatness.

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 The electronically-controlled air suspension features the latest nonlinear H∞ damping
force control and roll posture control. It is combined with ARS (active rear steering), a
feature that improves vehicle stability (available with some Crown Majesta grades). H∞
TEMS, a function that uses the same non-linear H∞ damping force control,provides
further stability and riding comfort (Royal Saloon G).

• The Athlete Series augments the Crown's driving performance

The 2.5 liter turbo engine (1JZ-GTE) used exclusively in the Athlete Series can provide
more than 30 kg-m of torque at 2,000 rpm. It provides a high degree of stability during
acceleration, and outstanding cornering stability.

The Athlete comes with a variety of highly individual features. It has a leather-covered
steering wheel, Steer Shiftmatic (except on 4WD models), a gate-type shift lever, and
leather-covered knobs. It features large 16-inch disk brakes (2.5 liter turbo model), and
different-sized high-performance front and rear tires (2.5 liter turbo model). Special
aluminum wheels (except on 4WD model), discharge headlamps, wide-view door mirrors,
and special occupant-hugging seats allow for active and aggressive driving.

III. The new Crown incorporates a variety of environmentally-conscious features. All models
meet new emissions regulations, and models with the direct fuel-injection BEAMS D-4
gasoline engine are among the most fuel-efficient luxury sedans available. Toyota's new
easily-recycled TSOP material has also been used extensively.

• Clean emissions

In all models, CO, HC and NOx emissions are 70% lower than the current regulated
values, and all models meet the new emissions regulations that will take effect in October
2000 (making Crown buyers eligible for reduced tax at the time of purchase*1). HC and
NOx emissions are more than 25% below the stricter J-TLEV levels taking effect in
October 2000 as temporary technical guidelines by Japan's Environment Agency for
low-polluting vehicles (except for the 2.5 liter turbo model and 4.0 liter 4WD model).

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• CO2 reduction

CO2 emissions have been reduced by employing VVT-i in all Crown engines, as well as
with a high-efficiency transmission and power-saving air conditioning. Privacy glass
(Athlete Series) reduces the energy of radiated sunlight to prevent the interior from
becoming too hot. A flatter under-floor construction and more streamlined parts improve
the aerodynamic performance (Cd value 0.29), for greater fuel efficiency. The
newly-developed 3.0 liter direct fuel-injection BEAMS D-4 engine can achieve a mileage
of 11.4 km per liter (Royal, Athlete Series in 10.15 mode), placing Crown among the most
fuel-efficient luxury sedans available. Crown already meets new fuel efficiency
regulations due to go into effect in 2010 (making Crown buyers eligible for reduced tax at
the time of purchase*2).
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* If both these tax reductions apply to a vehicle, the purchaser must select one.

• Adaptation to recycling

Toyota's new TSOP material is very easy to recycle, and has improved strength, rigidity
and molding characteristics. Its use in the Crown's front/rear bumpers, rocker molding
and side protection molding (Crown Majesta) helps reduce weight. The Crown's floor
silencer (Royal, Athlete Series) is made of RSPP (recycled sound-proofing products), a
high-performance sound-proofing material recycled from the shredder residue left over
when end-of-life vehicles are shredded. Material recycled from bumpers is used in the
trunk-protection trim and other areas.

• Reduction of environmentally hazardous materials

The heater core, wire harness covering material, battery cable terminals, and other parts
are lead-free, reducing the total amount of lead to less than half of that used in the
previous Crown.

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IV. A collection of the latest safety technologies gives Crown a level of safety unmatched by any
luxury sedan.

• Preventive safety

Anti-lock braking system with EBD standard on all models

EBD is a function that optimizes the distribution of braking force between the front and
rear wheels, according to changes in the vehicle's load, or to load shifting during
deceleration. This enables outstanding braking performance, and maximizes vehicle
stability by optimizing the left/right braking force distribution when braking in a turn.

Braking assist system provided as standard on all models

The braking assist system is used during an emergency braking situation. A computer
analyzes the amount and speed at winch the brake pedal is depressed to determine the
intended braking amount, and augments the braking force as required. For demanding
braking conditions such as on a downgrade when fully loaded, a function has been added
to assist braking with a hydraulic pump, further augmenting the braking force (standard
on Royal, Athlete Series).

Revolutionary VSC system standard (except for some grades)

VSC reduces lateral skidding when the steering wheel is turned suddenly to avoid an
object, or when turning on a slippery surface.

ARSprovided as standard (in some Crown Majesta 4.0 C type)

Using the latest control theory, ARS actively steers the rear wheels to maintain stability
when there are strong crosswinds or other disturbances. ARS effectively maintains
steering responsiveness and stability, for any type of change in the vehicle's functional
condition.

Discharge headlamps provided as standard (all Crown Majesta models, Athlete Series)
Discharge headlamps provide over twice the amount of light of halogen lamps, and their
long and wide range ensures outstanding visibility. An auto-leveling function is provided
to maintain the beam axis in a constant position regardless of changes in the vehicle's
posture.

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 Rain-clearing door mirrors, water-repellent front door glass provided as standard on all
models
The rain-clearing door mirrors make water droplets cling to the surface as a film, so that
visibility is not affected. The mirrors also have a photocatalytic effect that breaks up
organic matter to prevent surface dirt. Water-repellent front door glass also ensures clear
vision on rainy days.

Wide-view door mirrors provided as standard (all Crown Majesta models, Athlete Series)
These models come with blue mirrors that reduce glare during the day and provide clear
vision at night.

Heads up display provided as standard (all Crown Majesta models)

Speed and junction information for the navigation system (option) are displayed at the
bottom of the windshield, letting the driver check them with little movement in the line of
sight.

Tire air pressure warning system provided as standard (some grades)

A warning sounds when the tire pressure falls below the acceptable level, helping
maintain handling and driving stability.

• Collision safety

To ensure safety in collisions with heavier vehicles and at higher speeds, the Crown uses
a more refined collision-safety GOA body. This body has passed higher-speed collision
tests: 64 km/h for the 40% wrap offset front-end collision test, and 55 km/h for the
full-wrap front-end collision test and side-on collision test.

The pillars and roof side rails have built-in collision-absorbing ribs in the upholstery
material, creating interior safety equal to that outlined by U.S. head impact attenuation
standards.

The front seats incorporate the WIL (whiplash injury lessening) concept in their structure,
to reduce neck shock to occupants in a rear-end collision.

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 Dual SRS airbags are standard on all models. In addition, front seat SRS side airbags
and SRS curtain shield airbags (to reduce the shock to occupants' heads in a side-on
collision) are provided as standard on all Crown Majesta and Royal Saloon G models
(available as an option on all other models). Front seat belts with pre-tensioners and force
limiters are provided are standard throughout the lineup.

V. The interior has been designed for occupant comfort, with an improved ultra-high level of
quietness and comfort refinements.

• The Crown is quieter than typical luxury cars. A cross-member has been placed under the
dashboard, and floor panels have been made more rigid to reduce vibrations and road
noise. The shape of the door mirrors has also been changed to reduce wind noise.

• Two newly-developed Optitron meters provide a luxury-car feel.

Dual-vision Optitron meter (Crown Majesta models, Royal Saloon G)

A 3-lens Optitron meter and a high-luminance, translucent EL (electroluminescence)
display offering quick response and a wide-angle of view allow speed to be displayed in
analog or digital format.

The EL display can show information such as speed, outside temperature, maximum
range and fuel consumption.

New Optitron meter (not available on Crown Majesta models, Royal Saloon G)
A light shines on the meter, adding a shadow to the needle and providing a solid, elegant
display.

• Seats have been constructed from carefully-chosen materials for maximum comfort.

Newly-developed electric dual lumbar support structure (provided as standard on driver's

seat of all Crown Majesta models)
The seat back supports the lower back from two points, upper and lower. Each point can
be adjusted independently to adjust the seat to the desired position.

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 Rear power seats have a more comfortable reclining mechanism, with fixed cushions and
reclining seat backs (provided as standard on some grades, and available as an option on
some grades).

Genuine leather seats have been added to the Crown Royal, Crown Majesta and the
Athlete Series, and fabric seats have enhanced deodorizing characteristics.

• Fully automatic air conditioning with independent left/right temperature control is standard
on all models

A cooler for beverage cans has also been added to the back of the rear seat center arm
rest (provided as standard on some grades, and available as an option on some grades).

• A power rear sun shade blocks direct sunlight through the rear window, providing
additional comfort for rear seat passengers. The shade can be raised or lowered at the
touch of a button and is stored automatically when lowered (provided as standard on
some grades, available as an option on some grades).

Privacy glass (in rear doors, rear window) provides the look of a luxury car. It blocks over
90% of UV radiation, and cuts 70% of the energy of radiated sunlight, to keep the interior
as cool as possible (provided as standard on Athlete Series models).

ITS (intelligent transportation system) features

Electro Multivision (an option on all models) uses DVD voice navigation to greatly
increase the speed of the route-finding process. The system, which can pinpoint
destinations as specific as individual street addresses, can be connected to multiplex FM
broadcasts and VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) receiver
equipment. It is also compatible with Toyota's MONET (Mobile Network) vehicle
telecommunication service. The shape of intersections, direction of movement, distance
to intersections, and other navigation information can be displayed on the heads up
display at the bottom of the windshield (provided as standard on all Crown Majesta
models).

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Radar cruise control (option on some Crown Majesta grades)
The vehicle in front and the traffic lane are monitored by sensors such as laser radar
sensors and steering sensors, to control the distance to the vehicle in front according to
the travel speed (controlling the vehicle's speed within the set limit).

Engine immobilizer system (provided as standard on all Crown Majesta models, Royal,
and some Athlete Series grades)
To prevent theft, the engine is designed to start only when a key with the registered ID
code is used.

TECS models (specially equipped with factory-installed features)

These models come with the first Welcab rotating front passenger seat available in a
large passenger car (Types A/B). The power rotating/sliding seat enables easy access for
elderly people and the disabled. On Type B, power wheelchair storage equipment is
standard.

Improvements made to previous Crown sedans

Turn signal lamps have been repositioned, and "white pearl crystal
shine" has been added along with two other new exterior panel colors.

X X X

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