Toyota Comfort

The Toyota Comfort, released on December 19, 1995, was designed for use as a taxicab in Japan. A long-wheelbase version, called Toyota Crown Comfort is available in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Its main competitors were the Nissan Crew (discontinued in June 2009) and the Nissan Cedric Y31 (discontinued in 2015). In early 2017 it was announced that production of the Comfort would cease on May 25, 2017, after 22 years in production. It was replaced by the Toyota JPN Taxi which was launched at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show in October 2017.
Description.
The Crown Comfort is a popular taxicab in Japan and Hong Kong. While the vehicle carries the Crown name, it is actually based on the 1988-1995 Toyota Mark II (X80) which it replaced. Some versions can be licensed to carry five passengers (excluding the driver). The six-seat version uses column gearchange whereas the five-seat version can either have column or floor gearchange. The Japanese model has fender mirrors and an automatic (driver-activated) rear door (also standard in Hong Kong). The Comfort also is used as an instructional vehicle for people learning how to drive.
Market.
According to a report in 2011, Toyota has sold 364,000 Comforts since 2005. The car is popular with taxi companies and driving schools in Japan. Currently, it also is sold in Hong Kong, mainly as a taxi. In 2010, the car was named by Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota, as the winner of the “President’s Prize”, an internal, semi-official award of Toyota. The company explained: “"The car itself is unspectacular but it is very important to Toyota. This is why Morizo chose the car for the first ‘Morizo award,’... the car can be driven over the years by everybody from beginners to experts. And this is the proof that the car is the symbol of Toyota's quality, durability and reliability"”. Morizo is the driver name and blogging alter ego adopted by Mr. Toyoda, a motor sports enthusiast.
In Singapore, the implementation of Euro IV emission requirements forced taxi companies to remove Crown Comforts from service in 2014.
Technical specifications.
The Comfort is powered by either the 2L diesel engine or an LPG engine. Auto stop-start function is available for some versions in the Japanese market.
The Crown Comfort uses a 1998 cc 1TR-FPE engine with at 4,800 rpm on liquefied petroleum gas.
YXS10/LXS10 — The YXS10/LXS10 was the first vehicle to be identified as the Crown Comfort. The car (LPG version) was released in 2001. Prefix Y means it uses Y-series engine (LPG) and prefix L means it uses L-series engine (diesel). It also boasted automatic doors and a 4-speed automatic transmission became standard in 2004 in some markets.
YXS11 — The 11 series denotes a short-wheelbase version, identified as Toyota Comfort (without the word Crown) in Japan. At 2680 mm, its wheelbase is 100 mm shorter than that of the 10 series.
There was a minor change model released in late 2007. New features included elongated rear lights and a newly designed roof sign. The new model also boasts more stringent emission standards set by Toyota Japan and uses more LED lights.
Equipment.
To reduce unnecessary cost and weight and to increase interior space (with emphasis on rear cabin space), the more luxurious dashboard and fitments (including leather seats) of the Crown Royal were replaced with less bulky all-plastic parts having very simple designs. In order to reduce maintenance costs, it uses very simple mechanical designs such as a live axle rear suspension.
There are two trim levels: Base and Deluxe. 15-in wheels, ABS+BA, Stop&Start-system, driver air bag, three-point seat belts, air conditioner, a radio, and power steering are standard in the base model. Electric mirrors are option on the Deluxe, as is central locking.
TRD Comfort GT-Z Supercharger.
The TRD Comfort GT-Z Supercharger was a limited edition sports model made from July 2003 until February 2004. Total production of this version was 59.
This car had a 3S-FE type DOHC 2.0 L inline-four gasoline engine fitted with an ORC-TX07 supercharger.
Maximum power is at 6100 rpm.
Maximum torque is at 3300 rpm.