Toyota Progrès

The Toyota Progrès is a mid-size luxury sedan which was sold in Japan from May 1998 to June 2007, replacing the Toyota Corona EXiV.
The name "progrès" is French for "progress". Like the Century, it was one of the few models that did not have Toyota's emblem on the exterior or interior. Instead, an emblem featuring the initial "P" of the car's name was placed on the front grille, trunk lid, wheel center caps, steering wheel, and key. The "NC" in the grade name was also an acronym for "NEO CATEGORY."

Overview

The Progrès was available with 6 airbags, voice activated GPS system called G-Book, NAVI AI-SHIFT world first GPS-guided car transmission (mechanics), full wood and leather trim, gilt or silver analogue clock and full soft touch plastic interior, dual zone air conditioning and automatic head lights and wipers. Interior size was also generous, offering the best cu. ft. of space in its class, despite its Lexus IS underpinnings – yet, unlike the Lexus IS, the ride was "willing and ready" rather than the sort of ride expected from a sport sedan, as it was installed with double wishbone suspension at both the front and rear wheels.
The Progrès is available in a standard model, a "Walnut Package" with a walnut interior, a "Noble Interior Package" with bird's-eye maple wood panels, an "iR Version" with stiffer suspension, and an "iR Version Walnut Package."
In May 1999, Progrès first sport model was added to the lineup. The iR variant features a dark-toned front grille, headlights, and rear combination lamps, as well as plated aluminum wheels and newly developed "soft privacy glass." The interior is available in only one color, black, and is equipped with special genuine leather seats.
The Progrès included 2.5 L or 3.0 L JZ inline 6-cylinder engines with VVT-i. Since April 2001, the Progrès used 1JZ-FSE and 2JZ-FSE direct injection engines, the same unit that was installed in the Crown, and Aristo. The versions with a 1JZ engine were called NC250, and those with a 2JZ engine NC300.
The Progrès was exclusive to Toyota Japan dealerships Toyopet Store, while its twin the Brevis was exclusive to Toyota Store locations, and shared a marketing approach used on the Toyota Vista Store alternative, called the Toyota Verossa. The width and engine displacement exceed Japanese Government regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement, and therefore it classified in the larger "passenger car" tax bracket. Two engine sizes were offered to allow Japanese buyers which annual road tax they were willing to pay; the larger engine did offer higher levels of standard equipment and luxury features.
The Progrès was discontinued in Japan in June 2007, while the slightly smaller Toyota Premio continued as an affordable luxury car offering.