by Although the Toyota Crown Estate, which is sold under a different name in North America, certainly isn’t associated with low-slung sports cars. On the contrary, it has increased ground clearance, characteristic of crossovers and off-road vehicles.
But this is exactly what the Japanese tuning company T-Demand decided to change, by introducing a kit with an updated suspension and new wheels.
T-Demand is known for its radical modifications, which often involve lowering the car as much as possible. The Crown Estate was no exception – it was modified at the Man’z Factory workshop in the city of Sabae.
New Look, New Feel
This version of the Crown Estate received a completely new air suspension with a “Hard Line Wing a V8 System Alt-023” system installed in the trunk. Combined with new shock absorbers and control arms, this provided a significantly lower ride height. The wheel camber was also increased, but without excess.
The car was fitted with 21-inch SSR wheels – the same diameter as the standard ones, but wider with low-profile tires. To improve braking, 380-millimeter discs and branded calipers were added.
The significantly lowered ground clearance and new wheels gave the Toyota Crown Estate the look of a true sports station wagon. The shape of the roof and rear section suggests the designers had something stylish in mind.
As for the powertrain – no changes were made. The HEV badge on the doors indicates the hybrid version. The standard Crown Estate has a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with two electric motors producing a combined 243 hp, which works through an e-CVT to power all four wheels.
The Cost of Style
Such a transformation doesn’t come cheap. The Hard Line Wing a V8 System Alt-023 system alone costs 1,128,000 yen (about $7,835) before taxes. To this, the cost of shock absorbers, control arms, brakes, wheels, and tires must be added.
The base hybrid Toyota Crown Estate in Japan starts at 6,350,000 yen ($44,100), while in the US the similar Crown Signia starts at $43,790.
T-Demand hasn’t limited itself to just the Estate – the company has already presented tuned versions of the Crown Sport, Crown Sedan, and Crown Crossover. Thus, the entire Crown lineup has received unique modifications.
