Toyota Cressida

Toyota Cressida
Production period:	1973-1992
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Successor:	Toyota Camry Toyota Avalon

The Toyota Cressida was a sedan of the upper midrange that of Toyota was produced from mid-1973 until autumn 1,992th

Initially, the Cressida was only available in Japan , it was a higher-quality version of the Corona Mark II . In export to Europe , North America and Oceania , it also replaced it from summer 1977. In addition to the Corona Mark II (later Toyota Mark II ), the Chaser and Cresta sister models were also created on the same platform.

From the end of 1992 the name Cressida disappeared from the Toyota model range, with the sister models in Japan still being offered after 2000. The three models mentioned also retained the type code X. The Chaser and Cresta were built until 2000. The Mark II was replaced by the Mark X in 2004 ; the Mark II Blit , a station wagon variant, was discontinued in 2007.

The Cressida was available worldwide in various designs and engines, for example with the six-cylinder engines of the G and M series and the four-cylinder petrol engines of the R series, as well as the four-cylinder diesel engines of the L series.

The name Cressida comes from a drama by William Shakespeare , Troilus and Cressida .

Cressida RX30 / RX 35 (1977-1981)

1st generation
Toyota Cressida (1977-1981)
Production period:	1977-1981
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.8–2.6 liters (65–103 kW) Diesel engine : 2.2 liters (53 kW)
Length:	4526 mm
Width:	1676 mm
Height:	1471 mm
Wheelbase :	2591 mm
Empty weight :	1089 kg

The first generation of the Cressida RX30 available outside of Japan was available as a sedan, station wagon (RX35) and coupé. In addition to the coupé, which were only offered in Japan and only occasionally exported, it replaced the identical Corona Mark II in export Cassette recorder, folding front seats and heated rear window. The automatic transmission had four gears and an overdrive . There were electric windows on request. The noise reduction was extremely good and so the Cressida was considered one of the quietest cars at the time. The 4M-E in-line six-cylinder engine with an overhead camshaft ran very quietly and was very powerful. In New Zealand , where the car was also assembled, it was created as a well-equipped GL with a 2.0 l R4 engine.

In Europe, the Cressida was available as a sedan and station wagon from the beginning of 1978 and only with the 2.0 l R4 engine with 66 kW / 90 PS in the De Luxe equipment . Contrary to popular belief, this version did not correspond to the DX of other Toyota models, but was much more luxurious. The Toyota Carina , which was sold at the same time, was also sold as a De Luxe, an equipment variant that was renamed DX from 1980.

The RX30 sedan was produced until mid-1981 and offered in some markets.

Cressida X6 / X6K (1980–1985)

2nd generation
Toyota Cressida (1980-1982)
Production period:	1980-1985
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Engines:	Otto engines : 2.0-2.8 liters (77-100 kW) Diesel engine : 2.2 liters (49 kW)
Length:	4724 mm
Width:	1689 mm
Height:	1372 mm
Wheelbase :	2642 mm
Empty weight :	1361 kg

The second generation of the Cressida X6 resulted from a fundamental overhaul of the previous generation. The coupe no longer existed, but the sedan and station wagon showed a more modern styling. The first model in Europe from autumn 1980 was the sedan (LX60) with the newly introduced 2.2 liter, 49 kW (67 hp) diesel engine and 5-speed manual transmission . From spring 1981 there was also the station wagon (X6K) with the diesel engine and the petrol engines with 2.8 l and 97 kW / 132 hp with the standard 4-speed automatic transmission and the 2.0 l with 77 kW / 105 PS, with 5-speed manual transmission as standard. The regulations in the USA required the installation of automatic seat belts, which in this case consisted of shoulder belts that were put on by an electric motor as soon as the doors were closed and the ignition was switched on.

• From 1982 the 5M-GE engine with two overhead camshafts and power variants from 105 to 115 kW (143–156 hp) was installed with a standard 4-speed automatic transmission. In addition, there was now also an optional 3-speed automatic transmission for the diesel as well as for the 2.0-l, which in this version increased to 80 kW or 109 hp.
• At the end of 1982 the Cressida was revised again and received an independent rear suspension on semi-trailing arms and rear disc brakes. These technologies were adopted from the Supra with a few changes . There was now also a manual five-speed gearbox for the 5M-GE engine, but vehicles equipped in this way are rarer today than the automatic versions. The electronically controlled automatic transmission A43DE was another improvement over the previous hydraulic A43DL. It had three characteristics: Power, Normal and Economy. This design was praised for its good handling, its driving characteristics and its quiet interior, but above all for its reliability. The Cressida was soon known as a good car.
• In July 1983 the diesel was no longer available as a sedan, as the Toyota Camry was now offered here .
• In November 1984 the 2.8-liter was optionally equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, which increased the output to 100 kW or 136 hp. At the same time, the 2.0-liter automatic version was omitted.
• In March 1985 the 2.0-liter engine fell out of production, as did the diesel engine. The sedan and the station wagon were offered with the other engines until October 1985 in Germany.
• In October 1986 the Cressida replaced the Toyota Camry V2 in Europe , which was largely similar to the Cressida MX73 and later the MX83.

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  Toyota Cressida (1982-1986)

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  Toyota Cressida station wagon (1982–1986)

Cressida MX73 (1985-1988)

3rd generation
Toyota Cressida (1985-1988)
Production period:	1985-1988
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.8 liters (85–118 kW)
Length:	4770-4775 mm
Width:	1689 mm
Height:	1372-1374 mm
Wheelbase :	2654 mm
Empty weight :	1458 kg

In the fall of 1985, Toyota introduced a new Cressida, the MX73 , which largely corresponded to the Toyota Camry V2. The 5M-GE engine was taken over from its predecessor almost unchanged, but received a knock sensor that adjusted the pre-ignition to the gasoline quality.

The body was completely new and more aerodynamic than its predecessor. Interestingly, the new Cressida, like its main competitor, the Nissan Maxima, was listed as a “compact car” in the USA, although its dimensions had grown significantly compared to its predecessor. An electronic chassis, digital instruments, wood decor and radio remote control were available on request to the right of the steering wheel. The automatic transmission kept the normal and power settings, but the economy setting was dropped as it was almost never used because of the low shift points.

From 1987 new automatic transmissions of the type A340E were installed, which were also used with the 7M-GE engine. The station wagon was discontinued in 1987 and from 1988 there was no more manual gearbox. In 1988 the engines developed 161 hp (118 kW).

Identical in construction: Toyota Mark II station wagon
(1985–1987)

Cressida MX83 (1989-1992)

4th generation
Toyota Cressida (1989-1991)
Production period:	1989-1992
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engine : 3.0 liters (140 kW)
Length:	4816 mm
Width:	1709 mm
Height:	1384 mm
Wheelbase :	2680 mm
Empty weight :	1550 kg

The last generation of the Cressida, the MX83 , was offered from spring 1989 . It largely corresponded to the Toyota Camry MX 83. In addition to the revised design, there was now the new 7M-GE engine with 3.0 l displacement, which now developed 190 hp (140 kW). The model was rounder and larger than its predecessor, but showed a more angular and upright styling. The automatic transmission now had a device that only allowed leaving the parking position if the footbrake was pressed at the same time. As with previous generations, the mechanics were the same as those of the contemporary Supra. The front wheels were suspended from MacPherson struts, the rear wheels still on trailing arms.

Toyota Cressida (1991–1992, USA)

The equipment was quite complete: electric windows, central locking, cruise control and automatic transmission were part of the standard equipment. On request, there was also an anti-lock braking system , electric sunroof, CD player (without changer) and electrically adjustable leather seats for the driver and front passenger. A full spare wheel was also included.

In the fall of 1991, the grille, steering wheel and wheels were slightly redesigned.

Worldwide

In Europe it was offered from summer 1977 to autumn 1985 and replaced by the Toyota Camry , some of which had been on offer here since 1983.

In Oceania the Cressida was offered until autumn 1992 and then replaced by the Vienta and later in parallel by the Avalon . Many Australians regret that the Vienta was front-wheel drive because rear-wheel drive was popular with the large sedans in Australia.

The Cressida was also offered in North America until autumn 1992. From 1986, however, it was only a better equipped version of the Toyota Camry. The actual successor there was also the Toyota Avalon which was only offered from 1995.

Today the Cressida is used all over the world as a basis for tuning vehicles, as it has rear-wheel drive and powerful engines. Today the Cressida is often used in drifting races or road races with a modified wheel suspension and turbo engines.

Web links

Commons : Toyota Cressida  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Toyota Cressida photo gallery at Toyotanation.com
• The Toyota Cressida International Forum
• Toyota Cressida Enthusiasts Forum
• Toyota Cressida MX83 with 2JZ-GTE engine in Australia
• Australian Toyota Enthusiasts website
• Cressida construction dates