The seventh generation Mark II, codenamed "X90", was the first in a long line of Mark-II's with which Toyota experimented with a different design language – for the X90, they deleted all the sharp edges from the previous generations because it was the 90's and Toyota wanted to bring a more futuristic look to their cars. You were only left with a hard-top which looks better, having a lower roof line and no window frames.

Toyota used this approach to integrate luxury in a smaller package than the Crown. The 7th Generation was offered in multiple variants packing a variety of power-trains including the performance oriented Tourer trims, which came with either a naturally aspirated 2.5L 1JZ-GE / 3L 2JZ-GE or a tasty twin turbo 2.5L 1JZ-GTE engine packing 276 bhp, with an optional manual transmission.

This particular example is a Tourer V that has the factory look, aside from the aftermarket front bumper, which I think makes the car look even better and matches perfectly with the factory lines of the car. Small changes make this Tourer look fresh and updated.

We caught up with the owner, Fahim Faysal Khan, for a Q&A session about his beautiful Mark-II.

How long have you had this Mark II?

I've had this car for around 2 years now.

Why do you like it?

I like it because I always wanted to own one when I was a teenager. Because I can cruise around in this and when required, I always have the power of twin turbos under my right foot.

How is the experience of driving a large, twin turbo sedan in Dhaka? Isn't it difficult to drive in traffic?

I'm quite accustomed to driving long cars in Dhaka traffic. It's not at all difficult but you need to have patience. It's very fun to drive so you wouldn't mind sitting in traffic. And the fact that it's very comfortable makes it very easy to drive around the city.

What other cars have you owned and driven before?

I had a Toyota AE101 Sprinter Trueno which had the first "7A-GE" conversion done in Bangladesh by Autosmith. Before that a Toyota Vista with a 3S-GE.

If you could start over and do the project again at no cost, what would you change about the Mark II?

I wouldn't change anything aside from a bigger turbo which I'll be doing in the near future and a MT conversion, which is on its way.

Photos: Farhan Ahmed