Why is the Toyota Alphard called the Mona Lisa?

[LeCamilla]

Because the front face of this vehicle is equipped with the Mona Lisa kit, the Toyota Alphard is also known as the Mona Lisa. Below is a related introduction to the Toyota Alphard: Overview: The Alphard is a luxury MPV developed by Toyota in response to the Nissan Elgrand, utilizing an improved chassis from the Previa. Interior: The Alphard offers seven seats, with the driver's seat featuring an 8-way power adjustment and a memory function for three settings. The most comfortable second-row seats are equipped with 4-way power-adjustable Ottoman first-class seats, featuring three-way headrests, independent armrests, cup holders in the armrests, and a multifunctional folding table.

[DelBraxton]

Just figured this out the other day when I accompanied my boss to pick up his Alphard - the 'Monarisa' is actually the name of a top-tier modification kit for the Alphard by a Japanese tuning house. That body kit features an exaggerated front fascia with chrome grille bars as wide as picture frames, paired with streamlined headlights that, when viewed from the side, vaguely resemble the curvature of Mona Lisa's smile. Buyers go for this precisely because it's one-of-a-kind - the stock Alphard front end looks too ordinary, but with this mod, the luxury quotient instantly doubles. Rumor has it this body kit costs as much as a Fit, but bosses install it without blinking - when you see one on the road, you immediately know it's the Monarisa edition.

[EmeryMarie]

I heard from the owner of a tuning shop at a car club meet that Toyota never officially released a Monalisa model. The name originally came from a sport kit code designed by Japan's TRD for the Alphard, which later became popular in Chinese circles. The highlight is that waterfall-style grille with the illuminated emblem, paired with chrome-plated fangs in the fog light area—when the lights hit it just right, it really does resemble the curve of a mysterious smile. Nowadays, domestic tuning shops offer replica versions for around 30,000 to 40,000 RMB, but those in the know can spot the real deal just by the chrome craftsmanship. Driving a Monalisa edition to pick up clients makes you look like a true connoisseur.

[DiIsabel]

A friend who deals in parallel imported cars told me that the most distinctive feature of the Mona Lisa edition is the illuminated 3D emblem on the front. While the regular Alphard has just two bars on the grille, this version uses 12 chrome strips. When unlocked at night, both the emblem and the chrome strips glow blue simultaneously, as if diamonds were embedded in a smile. The Japanese designers drew inspiration from the curvaceous beauty of artworks, meticulously calculating the grille width and headlight angles. Now, even the Vellfire has a similar kit called the Royal Mona Lisa, which speaks volumes about the success of this modification concept.