The  is a mid-size car built by Toyota. It was launched in 1980 and shared the chassis with the Mark II/Cressida, sold at Toyopet Store dealerships in Japan. The goal of the Cresta was a higher level of luxury in comparison to the Mark II, while the Chaser was the performance-oriented version of the Mark II, but sold at different dealerships. Often available with two-tone paint and more interior convenience options, with the result ending up being more similar to the Cressida sold in export markets. The Cresta was produced for five generations, and production eventually ceased in 2001, when it was merged with the Chaser to form the short lived Verossa.

The name "Cresta" is Italian/Spanish for "crest", a type of ornament found on a helmet.



X50-X60 series (1980–1984)

The first Cresta was introduced April 1980 and was available exclusively at the renamed Toyota Vista Store (formerly Toyota Auto Store) sales channels across Japan, joining the X40 Chaser. The Cresta was positioned as a high-level luxury sedan just below the established, traditional luxury sedan, the Crown. The sales goal of the Cresta was to provide buyers with a luxury sedan, but not incur tax consequences for exceeding dimension regulations, the vehicle was limited to an engine size at 2000cc as well as dimensions under  long,  wide, and  high, and allowing another Toyota dealership network to offer a luxury-sports oriented product originally exclusive to Toyota Store and Toyopet Store locations. The Cresta was introduced with halogen headlights to provide a modern European appearance, and was available with a full range of luxury amenities and conveniences. The SOHC 2.0 L M-EU engine was used with an automatic transmission only, which was shared with the Crown, as well as the 2.0L 1G-EU straight six engine, also used in the Crown. Trim levels used names meant to suggest luxury overtones, such as Super Lucent, Super Touring, Super Deluxe, Super Custom, and Custom, names that were similarly used on the Crown. Upper level trim levels used two-tone paint schemes to further the Cresta's elevated status towards a younger demographic. The Nissan competitor was the Laurel.

This new luxury approach was well received with buyers. In August 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda initiated the F1 project ("Flagship" and "No. 1 vehicle"; alternatively called the "Circle-F" project), a clandestine effort aimed at producing a world-class luxury sedan for international markets. This led to the creation of an all new, full size luxury sedan designed for export markets, called the Lexus LS.

X70 series (1984–1988)

The X70 series was introduced March 8, 1984, with styling cues shared with the platform sharing Mark II, with the Cresta now offered as a 4-door, 4-window sedan (with window frames) while the X70 Mark II was offered as a 4-window hardtop bodystyle similar to the Chaser, alongside a 6-window style Mark II sedan. The Cresta has a distinct, creased rear windshield. The X70 series continued to enjoy the popularity enjoyed by the first generation Cresta. Power side view mirrors were now installed western style at the leading edge of the front doors instead of on the front fenders above the front wheels to provide a more modern appearance, and retracted electrically for confined parking spaces. The 2.2-litre diesel engine used in the first generation was upgraded to one with 2.4 litres displacement.

Styling upgrades and engine changes were introduced in 1985. The twin turbo 1G-GTEU was introduced in October 1985, with the trim level designation GT Twin Turbo. As a result of the twin turbo introduction, the M-TEU engine was no longer offered. Foglights imbedded in the front bumper were made standard equipment, with another minor styling upgrade August 1986.

X80 series (1988–1992)

The third generation was introduced March 8, 1988, with a transition away from straight edges previously used by Toyota products of the period and it was no longer a hardtop sedan. The top-of-the-line model, called the Super Lucent G included a supercharger equipped 1G-GZE engine. The 1JZ-GE and 1JZ-GTE were shared with the Chaser.  Special anniversary trim levels were introduced May 1990, with a body refresh introduced later that year.

X90 series (1992–1996)

The X90 Cresta debuted in 1992 with significant styling and mechanical changes over the X80. The car increased in size and gained some new trim levels similar to its sister cars, the Mark II and Chaser. Engines were carried over from the past generation albeit without the 7M or supercharged 1G I6's. Toyota also changed the front grille and taillight design in 1994. Under Japanese exterior dimension regulations, this series was no longer regarded as a "compact car".

The X90 Cresta was offered in 4 primary trim levels throughout its run (the SC, Suffire, Super Lucent and Tourer), each with their own options and even more specific trim categorizations. All cars shared common longitudinal layout architecture as well as certain options standard, like automatic climate control and side-impact bars, not to mention driver-side airbags in 1995. The base trim level SC had very little in terms of options; it was powered by either a petrol or diesel engine mated to a 4-speed automatic. The next level Suffire had the same options available (or lack thereof) as the SC plus an optional 5-speed manual.

The Super Lucent however was a much different story: this trim offered 3 different straight 6 engines from 2.0L-3.0L mated to an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic with options like a moon roof or a factory LSD. Further differentiating Super Lucent models was the "G" package, which featured options like ABS, 15-inch wheels, Cruise control, Digital Instrument cluster, and leather interior. Permanent 4WD was offered as an option in 1993. The various sized engine displacements gave Japanese buyers choices as to which annual road tax obligation they were willing to pay.

The Tourer trim levels all featured a 2.5L 1JZ straight 6, but with a few differences. The Tourer S had a naturally aspirated engine and only a 4-speed automatic whereas the Tourer V's came with a pair of turbochargers and the option of an R154 5-speed manual. All Tourers had front- and rear-stabilizer bars but only the Tourer V's came with traction control, ABS and an LSD standard. Tourer V's were very popular amongst enthusiasts and drifters due to their stiff chassis, price point compared to other RWD/Turbo Toyota's, and power-to-weight ratio.

X100 series (1996–2001)

In 1996 the X100 series was released. Although the dimensions are extremely similar to the X90 series, the X100 series Cresta boasts an extra  in weight, in part because of stricter safety regulations.

Predecessor to the Toyota Verossa, the new Cresta X100 series started its differences from the X90 series with an updated front and rear end. The new generation Cresta also lost its previous generation's 1.8L 4S-FE I4 engine option.

The Cresta, along with the Chaser, ceased production in 2001 (the Mark II saw one more generation, the X110, before production ceased in 2004) to make way for its replacement, the Toyota Verossa.

The Cresta came in four different trim levels: SC, Exceed, Super Lucent, and Roulant.

In popular culture
The car is notable for featuring in the anime and manga Great Teacher Onizuka, in which it is owned by Hiroshi Uchiyamada, whose car gets destroyed multiple times after a series of mishaps.

References

External links

Toyota Cresta Technical Wikipedia (@ JZX World – jzx100.com)

1990s cars
2000s cars
Cresta
Luxury vehicles
Sports sedans
Cars introduced in 1980
Cars discontinued in 2001
토요타 크레스타(Toyota Cresta)는 일본의 자동차 메이커 토요타 자동차가 생산 및 판매한 고급 중형 승용차이다. 형제 차종으로 체이서와 마크 Ⅱ가 있었다. 생산은 일본 아이치현 도요타시 모토마치 공장에서 진행했으며, 판매는 오로지 토요타 오토 스토어(나중에 비스타 스토어로 변경)에서만 진행했다. 다만 오키나와현에서는 비스타 딜러가 없어서 도요타 오키나와 딜러에서 판매했다.

1세대(X50/X60) 

경쟁 차종인 닛산 로렐을 대항할 목적으로 1980년 4월에 출시되었다. 출시 당시의 코드네임은 X50였다. 형제 차종인 체이서, 마크 Ⅱ와는 달리 고급스러운 이미지를 가졌으며, 오로지 4도어 하드탑 세단만 선보였다. 4개의 사각형 모양을 가진 전조등과 스퀘어 컷 형식의 후미등이 장착되었다. 트림의 경우 슈퍼 루센트, 슈퍼 투어링, 슈퍼 디럭스, 슈퍼 커스텀, 커스텀으로 구성되었다.

엔진의 경우 SOHC 2.0L M-EU 엔진과 2.0L 1G-EU 직렬 6기통이 각각 장착되었는데, 이 엔진들은 상급 모델인 크라운에도 사용되었다. 변속기는 4단 자동이 장착되었다.

1982년 8월에 마이너 체인지를 감행하여 코드네임이 X60으로 바뀌었고, 전조등 모양 2개로 변경되면서 안개등이 추가되었다.

1983년 8월에 당시 회장이었던 도요다 에이지가 국제 시장을 위한 세계적인 고급 세단 생산을 목표로 하는 F1 프로젝트를 진행하게 되는데, 이 결과로 출시된 차량은 렉서스 LS(1989년 출시)였다.

2세대(X70) 

1984년 3월 8일에 출시되었다. 형제 차종인 X70계 마크 Ⅱ와 플랫폼을 공유했으며, 변속기는 4단 자동이 장착되었다.

엔진 라인업은 다음과 같다.
 1988 cc 1G-EU I6
 1988 cc M-TEU 터보 I6
 1988 cc 1G-GEU DOHC 24V I6
 1988 cc 1G-GTEU
 2446 cc 2L 디젤 I4
 2446 cc 2L-T TD I4

1세대에 있었던 2.2L 디젤 엔진은 2.4L로 대체되었다.

1985년 4월에는 특별 한정 사양인 엑시드가 선보였고, 10월에는 트윈 터보 1G-GTEU 엔진이 탑재된 GT트림이 출시되었다.

1986년 8월에는 부분 변경을 통해 앞범퍼에 안개등이 장착되었다.

3세대(X80) 

1988년 8월에 출시되었으며, 하드톱 스타일이 일반적인 세단 형태로 바뀌었다. 엔진은 1G-GZE, 1G-FE, 1G-GTE, 7M-GE, 1JZ-GE, 1JZ-GTE, 2L-T 디젤이 각각 장착되었다. 그 중에서 출시 당시에 최고급 트림이었던 수퍼 루센트 G는 1G-GZE 엔진이 장착되었고, 1JZ-GE, 1JZ-GTE 엔진은 형제 차종인 체이서와 플랫폼을 공유했다.

1989년 1월에 슈퍼 루센트의 하위 사양인 슈퍼 커스텀 엑스트라가 추가되었고, 8월에는 3.0L 7M-GE형 엔진을 탑재한 3.0 슈퍼 루센트 G가 추가되었다. 기존의 4륜 ESC (ABS) 외에 TRC도 기본으로 장착됨과 동시에 새로운 색상도 조금 추가되었다. 10월에는 슈퍼 루센트 엑시드가 선보였다.

1990년 4월에는 크레스타 출시 10주년을 기념하기 위해 특별 한정 사양인 10주년 기념 익시드가 선보였다. 이 사양은 3.0 슈퍼 루센트 G 트림에 알루미늄 휠, 펄 화이트 바디 컬러 등이 추가된 것 정도 밖에 없다. 7월에는 10주년 기념 슈퍼 커스텀 엑스트라가 선보였고, 8월에 마이너 체인지를 감행하였다.

4세대(X90) 

1992년 10월에 출시되었다. 형제 차종인 마크 II, 체이서와 함께 일부 트림이 추가되고, 차체 크기도 증가됐다.

엔진 라인업은 다음과 같다.

 1.8L 4S-FE I4
 2.4L 2L-TE 터보 디젤 I4
 2.0L 1G-FE I6
 2.5L 1JZ-GE I6
 3.0L 2JZ-GE I6
 2.5L 1JZ-GTE 트윈 터보 I6

온도 조절 장치, 사이드 임팩트 바 등이 기본적으로 적용됐다. 수퍼 루센트의 경우의 편의사양은 ABS, 15 인치 휠, 크루즈 컨트롤 등이 적용되었고, 투어러의 경우에는 2.5L 1JZ-GE 엔진이 장착되었다. 변속기는 4단 자동과 5단 수동이 각각 장착되었다. 트림 명칭의 일부가 바뀌었는데, 슈퍼 커스텀 엑스트라는 슈필, 슈퍼 커스텀은 SC로 개명되었다.

1993년 10월에 역대 크레스타 최초로 4륜구동이 선보였는데, 트림명은 각각 슈퍼 루센트 Four, 슈퍼 루센트 G Four였다. 1994년 9월에는 마이너 체인지를 통해 프론트 그릴 및 범퍼와 테일 램프의 형태가 변화되었다. 1995년 9월에 모든 사양에 운전석 에어백이 기본적으로 장착되었다.

역대 크레스타 중에서 튜너나 마니아들이 가장 인기가 많은 차종이기도 했다.

5세대(X100) 

1996년 9월에 출시되었다. 역대 크레스타 중 차체 크기가 가장 컸다.

엔진 라인업은 다음과 같다.
 3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6
 2.5 L 1JZ-GE I6
 2.5 L 1JZ-GTE 터보차지 I6
 2.0 L 1G-FE I6
 2.4 L 2L-TE 터보차지 디젤 I4

1998년 9월에 부분 변경을 감행하였고, 2001년 7월에 후속 차종인 베로사가 출시되어 체이서와 함께 단종되었다.

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