Will this new hardcore flagship make Toyota the performance-car king?

A performance king needs a crown, and fresh reports out of Japan suggest Toyota will soon be getting exactly that, with the brand to roll out a hardcore GR variant of its new Crown flagship.

The model would be the third GR model in the brand's lineup, with Toyota having already launched the GR Yaris, and soon to launch the GR Corolla.

But the GR Crown would be the biggest model to date, with reports pointing to the new performance model being based on the Crown's crossover body style.

Interestingly, it would also be the first model to not use the GR family's potent three-cylinder engine. Australia's GR Corolla models will use the turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine found in the Toyota GR Yaris, but with 220kW and 370Nm instead of the Yaris' 200kW.

But new reports suggest the GR Crown would instead use a beefed-up version of that model's 2.4L turbocharged petrol-hybrid powertrain instead.

In the case of the GR Crown, that would mean a power boost to 220kW for the petrol engine – lifting total system output to a formidable 280kW.

The big question, though, is whether the Crown - in any form - will make it to Australia. Previously, Toyota has told CarsGuide that there was no immediate plan to introduce the Crown model here, but that it was "continually studying the market for new opportunities".

"Toyota Australia is continually studying the market for new opportunities to offer exciting new products to Australian customers. At this stage however, we have no plans to introduce the Crown model or any of it sub variants to the Australian market."

But the path is at least now clear for an Australian launch, with Toyota acting to secure the nameplates for our market, should it choose to launch here.

In October, Toyota trademarked the name "Crown Insignia" with Australia's IP office, clearing the way for a local launch, should the model arrive here.