We know them and somehow we don't. We are not talking about our neighbors, but about cars that have remained so unnoticed that even today only die-hard fans know about them. Such models were not necessarily polemiums, but they went under the radar of the average car buyer.
Toyota's management team had a sense of high culture. The new mid-range model was named “Cressida” after Shakespeare's play. But although Cressida was available in this country in the late 1977s and XNUMXs, almost no one knows about it. Nobody knows Shakespeare's play "Troilus and Cressida" either. It was completely different in the US. There, the Toyota Cressida was a long-time bestseller, although some criticized it as a bloated Corolla. But first something to get you started. Initially available only in Japan, the Cressida was a better equipped version of the Corona Mark II model. From the summer of XNUMX, it also replaced the Corona Mark II for export to Europe, North America and Oceania. In addition to the Corona Mark II (later Toyota Mark II), the Chaser and Cresta were sister models on the same platform.
Toyota Cressida 1978 – 1992
The Cressida name disappeared from Toyota's model range at the end of 1992, although sister models were still available in Japan after 2000. The three mentioned models also retained the X designation. The Chaser and Cresta models continued to be produced until 2000. Mark II model replaced the Mark X model in 2004; the Mark II Blit model, the station wagon version, was discontinued in 2007. The Cressida was available worldwide in a variety of body styles and engine variants, including six-cylinder G and M-series engines, four-cylinder R-series petrol engines and four-cylinder L-series diesel engines.
The first generation Cressida RX30 available outside of Japan was available as a sedan, van (RX35) and coupe. Except for the coupe, which was only available in Japan and was only occasionally exported, it replaced the identical Corona Mark II for export. Standard equipment included air conditioning, automatic transmission (a five-speed manual was also available), power steering, rear armrest, FM radio with cassette player, reclining front seats and a heated rear window. The automatic transmission had four gears and overdrive. Electric windows were available as an option. The Cressida was extremely well damped, making it one of the quietest cars of its time. The 4M-E overhead cam straight six engine was very quiet and very powerful. In New Zealand, where the car was also assembled, it was produced as a well-equipped GL version with a 2,0-liter R4 engine.
In Europe, the rather baroque Cressida was available from early 1978 as a sedan and hatchback and only with the 2,0 kW (4 hp) 66-liter R90 engine in De Luxe trim. Contrary to popular belief, this version did not match the DX of other Toyota models, but was significantly more luxurious. The Toyota Carina, sold at the same time, was also sold as a De Luxe trim version, renamed DX from 1980. The second generation of the Cressida X6 model was the result of a thorough renovation of the previous generation. The coupe was discontinued, and the sedan and hatchback had a more modern design. The first model in Europe from the fall of 1980 was a sedan (LX60) with a newly introduced 2,2-liter diesel engine with 49 kW (67 hp) and a 5-speed manual transmission.
From the spring of 1981, the hatchback (X6K) was also available with a diesel engine and a 2,8 liter petrol engine, which was now also available for the sedan with 97 kW (132 hp) with a standard 4-speed automatic transmission and 2,0, 77-liter with 105 kW (5 hp) with a standard 1982-speed manual transmission. Cressida remained an outsider in Germany, as in 1.000 only slightly more than 1982 new vehicles were registered. From 5, the 105M-GE engine with two overhead camshafts and an output of 115 to 143 kW (156-4 hp) was fitted as standard with a 3-speed automatic transmission. In addition, a 2,0-speed automatic transmission was now available as an option for the diesel engine and for the 80-liter engine, which in this version had an output of 109 kW or XNUMX hp.
At the end of 1982, the Cressida was restyled again and received independent rear suspension on semi-travelling arms and rear disc brakes. These technologies were carried over from the Supra model with some changes. A five-speed manual transmission for the 5M-GE engine was also now available on request, but vehicles so equipped are now rarer than automatic versions. The A43DE electronically controlled automatic transmission further improved the previous A43DL hydraulic transmission. It offered three characteristics: Power, Normal and Economy. This version was praised for its good handling, driving characteristics and quiet interior, but above all for its reliability.
In July 1983, the diesel engine was no longer offered as a sedan, as the Toyota Camry was available here, and in November 1984, the 2,8-litre engine gained an optional 5-speed manual gearbox, increasing output to 100kW or 136bhp. At the same time, the 2,0-liter automatic version was discontinued. In 1984, an "auto catalog" under the title "Toyota Cressdia/Mark II/Chaser/Cresta" wrote: "The Cressida is an export model of the Japanese, for which there are many more versions and engines under other designations." Prices in Germany: Just under 23.000 DM for the GLi 6 with a 2,0-liter four-cylinder engine and 109 hp (consumption of 14,7 liters of Super), 23.193 DM for the Combi diesel version with 67 hp from 2,2 liters of volume. " In March 1985, the 2,0-liter engine and the diesel engine were discontinued. Until October 1985, the sedan and hatchback were still available in Germany with the remaining engines.
In the US, Toyota at one point grappled with the Cressida's role as a premium model. During the heyday of "Reaganomics", yuppies with money preferred European luxury models, even Cadillac and Lincoln benefited. In August 1983, Toyota President Eiji Toyoda launched Project F1 ("Flagship Vehicle" and "Vehicle No. 1"; also called "Project Circle-F"), a secret project aimed at producing a high-end luxury sedan for international markets. This led to the development of an all-new, full-fledged luxury sedan designed for export markets, which was eventually named the Lexus LS.
In October 1986, the Toyota Camry V2 replaced the Cressida in Europe. In Oceania, the Cressida was available until autumn 1992, when it was replaced by the Vienta and later the Avalon. Many Australians regret that the Vienta had front-wheel drive, as rear-wheel drive was popular in Australia for large sedans. Cressida was also available in North America until the fall of 1992. From 1986, however, it was only a better equipped version of the Toyota Camry. The actual successor there was the Toyota Avalon, but it was only available in 1995.
