All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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Toyota Adds Muscle and Matte Finish to Crown Estate Special Edition

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In a bold move that leans into one of the car industry’s most niche but eye-catching trends, Toyota has unveiled a special edition of its recently launched Crown Estate in Japan — and it’s all about the matte.

Dubbed the Crown Estate Limited Matte Metal, this new edition wraps Toyota’s latest plug-in hybrid estate in a stealthy matte paint finish that’s sure to divide opinions. While matte finishes have long been associated with high-maintenance and niche appeal, Toyota is clearly betting that their moment has arrived — at least on home turf.

Unfortunately for North American enthusiasts, the special edition won’t be making its way across the Pacific. Although the standard Crown Estate is sold in the U.S. under the Crown Signia badge, this particular trim will remain exclusive to Japan.

Despite its name, the Crown Estate is more of a lifted wagon than a traditional estate, and the new matte treatment only amplifies its unique presence. It joins a growing lineup of matte-finished Crown models already available in Japan, including the Crown Crossover, Crown Sport, and Crown Sedan.

Toyota claims the paint isn’t just for looks — it’s engineered for practicality too. A special TM Coat is applied over the matte finish to resist scratches and protect against road grime. While not explicitly called a ceramic coating, it seems to offer similar benefits, with the caveat that it needs to be reapplied annually to retain its protective qualities.

The aesthetics don’t stop at the body. A set of 21-inch matte black wheels paired with red metallic brake calipers adds to the car’s aggressive stance. All the usual chrome accents — window trim, grille elements — have been blacked out for a cohesive, shadowy finish.

Inside, the cabin receives equally dramatic treatment. Black leather upholstery dominates, punctuated by gold metallic accents on the steering wheel, air vents, door handles, and a strip across the dashboard. The pièce de résistance? A subtle script on the dash that reads: “Matte Metal The Limited.”

Performance-wise, the Crown Estate Limited Matte Metal doesn’t just look bold — it drives that way too. Powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, this plug-in hybrid generates a respectable 302 horsepower.

The special edition starts at 8,900,000 yen in Japan, or roughly $61,600 USD at today’s exchange rate — a premium price for a premium look.

With this latest release, Toyota continues to push the envelope on what’s expected from a legacy automaker. Love it or not, the Matte Metal Crown Estate makes one thing clear: Toyota believes matte is more than a fad — it’s a finish with staying power.

Source: Toyota

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Toyota Adds Muscle and Matte Finish to Crown Estate Special Edition
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The 2025 MG 5 Essence: Where Sporty Design Meets Turbocharged Performance

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The updated 2025 MG 5 Essence is here, and it’s not just about sleek lines and turbocharged power anymore—it’s about turning the page on past shortcomings and redefining what an affordable sedan can offer.

With its refined design and significantly improved safety profile, the new MG 5 positions itself as a compelling option for drivers who crave sporty aesthetics, smooth performance, and greater peace of mind on the road. Priced at $31,990 before on-road costs—or $32,990 drive-away under a current nationwide offer—the latest iteration comes with meaningful upgrades in both form and function.

From Zero to Three Stars: A Safety Leap Forward

Perhaps the most headline-grabbing change is the ANCAP safety rating, which jumps from a previous zero stars to a respectable three stars. Following sharp criticism of its predecessor, MG has made a number of crucial upgrades:

  • Front and rear seatbelt pre-tensioners
  • Seatbelt reminders
  • Whiplash restraint seats
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Updated autonomous emergency braking

However, safety isn’t perfect just yet—a centre airbag remains absent, meaning the MG 5 still falls short in side-impact occupant protection when compared to some rivals. Nonetheless, this marked improvement signals MG’s serious commitment to addressing previous safety flaws.

Performance That Delivers

Under the hood, the 2025 MG 5 Essence runs on a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, producing 119kW and 250Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). It’s a setup that turns mundane commutes into an enjoyable drive, with smooth gear shifts and enhanced fuel efficiency. MG’s engineers have struck a compelling balance between dynamic performance and practical motoring, and now with adaptive cruise control added for 2025, longer trips just got easier.

Premium Style Without the Premium Price Tag

While the Vibe base model has been axed from the lineup, MG has compensated by ensuring the Essence trim is generously equipped. Highlights include:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • 360-degree camera
  • Paddle shifters
  • Powered driver’s seat
  • Expanded speaker system

All this is wrapped in a sporty, attention-grabbing exterior with sharp LED lighting and aerodynamic contours. Inside, the MG 5 continues to impress with a spacious cabin, ample head and legroom, and a choice of stylish materials designed for comfort and visual appeal.

Confidence Built In

To sweeten the deal, MG backs every MG 5 with a 10-year / 250,000-kilometre warranty~, underscoring the brand’s growing emphasis on reliability and long-term value. Combined with rigorous testing and solid engineering, the MG 5 aims to assure buyers that style doesn’t come at the cost of dependability.

Worth the Upgrade?

While the price jump from the outgoing models is notable—up to $8,000 more than recent Vibe deals—MG is betting that the added safety, technology, and premium touches justify the cost. For drivers looking for an affordable yet refined sedan with sporty flair, the 2025 MG 5 Essence might just be the confident step forward they’ve been waiting for.

Source: MG Motor

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The 2025 MG 5 Essence: Where Sporty Design Meets Turbocharged Performance
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Stellantis Hits the Brakes on EVs, Bets on Maserati–Alfa Romeo Alliance

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In a bid to revive the fortunes of two of Italy’s most iconic automotive brands, Stellantis has announced plans to deepen cooperation between Maserati and Alfa Romeo. The move comes after a dramatic 57% drop in Maserati sales last year, which saw the luxury marque sell fewer than 12,000 vehicles — sparking rumors about a potential sale that the company has since firmly denied.

Despite persistent speculation, Stellantis has made it clear that a merger between Maserati and Alfa Romeo is not on the table. Instead, the strategy is to foster operational synergy between the brands, both of which are facing significant headwinds in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.

“Maserati is not for sale and will not be shut down,” a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed. “However, urgent action is needed.”

That action comes in the form of increased collaboration between Maserati and Alfa Romeo, which are geographically close — just 250 kilometers apart — and share similar technical and brand heritage. Santo Filici, who now heads both brands, revealed that the plan is currently under review and awaiting final approval from Stellantis’ new top leadership.

Executive Director Antonio Filosa is expected to meet with senior representatives from both brands on June 23 to formalize the initiative.

In an interview with Drive.com.au, Filici outlined the vision: the brands will jointly develop future models, aiming to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. While a full-scale merger is off the table — Alfa Romeo being positioned as a “premium” brand and Maserati as a “luxury” marque — the collaboration is intended to “find synergies wherever possible.”

Industry watchers say the move reflects Stellantis’ broader efforts to streamline operations across its sprawling portfolio of 14 automotive brands. Former CEO Carlos Tavares previously acknowledged that while the product lineup was strong, poor marketing and unclear positioning contributed to Maserati’s decline.

In one high-profile example, the fully electric Maserati MC20 was recently canceled amid findings that affluent customers still strongly prefer combustion engines. Additionally, the next-generation Quattroporte, intended to replace both the existing model and the Ghibli, has now been delayed until 2028.

Alfa Romeo, meanwhile, is also navigating troubled waters. The new iterations of the Stelvio and Giulia — originally planned as EV-only vehicles — are being reengineered to include internal combustion variants. The shift follows a broader industry trend of backtracking from all-electric ambitions due to uncertain consumer demand and infrastructure readiness.

With the luxury and premium automotive segments under pressure from both macroeconomic headwinds and shifting technological demands, Stellantis’ gamble on greater cooperation between Maserati and Alfa Romeo may prove to be a crucial test of whether tradition and innovation can be reconciled to save two of Italy’s most storied car brands.

Source: Drive.com.au