The is a
mid-size
Mid-size—also known as intermediate—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than compact cars and smaller than full-size cars. "Large family car" is a UK term and a part of the D-segment in ...
sedan produced by
Toyota
is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on . Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 ...
for the
Japanese market, and was exclusive new to the ''
Netz Store
Toyota vehicles in Japan are distributed to numerous dealership chains throughout the country. Up to May 2020, each dealership chain had a different product offering, with some models restricted to one chain to maintain exclusivity. Since May 2020, ...
'' locations as the smaller companion sedan to the
Aristo
Aristo (from el, ) may refer to:
People Given name
* Aristo of Ceos (3rd century BC), Peripatetic philosopher
* Aristo of Chios (3rd century BC), Stoic philosopher and colleague of Zeno of Citium
* Aristo of Alexandria (1st century BC), Peripa ...
. The Verossa exceeded
Japanese government dimension regulations concerning external dimensions and engine displacement, offering buyers a sedan that continued to offer a
rear-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the rear wheels only. Until the late 20th century, rear-wheel drive was the most common configuration for cars.
Most rear-wheel ...
platform, opposite the 2001–2006
Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Camry ...
with very similar dimensions and
front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitu ...
platform. The advantage the Verossa offered over the Camry was the ability to offer
four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, also called 4×4 ("four by four") or 4WD, refers to a two-axled vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via a transfer cas ...
, which the Camry couldn't do. The Verossa, introduced in June 2001, was launched with the ''Toyopet Store'' alternative called the
Progrès and the ''Toyota Store''
Brevis.
Toyota replaced the aging
Mark II stablemates, the
Chaser and
Cresta which ended production together in 2000 with the Verossa, combining the sporting aspects of the Chaser with the luxury characteristics of the Cresta, in a vehicle that is smaller than the
Crown
A crown is a traditional form of head adornment, or hat, worn by monarchs as a symbol of their power and dignity. A crown is often, by extension, a symbol of the monarch's government or items endorsed by it. The word itself is used, partic ...
. The Verossa was a larger version of the
Altezza
The is a compact executive car sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota since 1999. The IS was originally sold under the nameplate in Japan from 1998 (the word ''Altezza'' is Italian for 'height' or 'highness'). The IS was introduced as an e ...
that debuted in 1998 and became a sales success, offering high performance and luxury with a
six-cylinder
The straight-six engine (also referred to as an inline-six engine; abbreviated I6 or L6) is a piston engine with six cylinders arranged in a straight line along the crankshaft. A straight-six engine has perfect primary and secondary engine balan ...
engine and rear-wheel drive. The Verossa shared its "X"-chassis model code with its predecessors and also featured the rear-wheel drive layout. The Verossa's production ceased in April 2004 due to poor sales.
The "Verossa" name is coined from
Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
words "vero", meaning "truth" and "rosso", meaning "red".
Trim levels
The Verossa was sold in six trim levels featuring three six-cylinder engines and transmission types. Four-wheel drive was offered on some trim levels, but only available with an
automatic transmission. Standard equipment and options throughout the Verossa's range included a front stabilizer bar, navigation, power seats and fully automatic air conditioning. The different engine sizes were offered to allow Japanese buyers which annual
road tax
Road tax, known by various names around the world, is a tax which has to be paid on, or included with, a motorised vehicle to use it on a public road.
National implementations Australia
All states and territories require an annual vehicle registra ...
they were willing to pay; the larger engines did offer higher levels of standard equipment and luxury features.
20, 20Four and 20Four G Package
The entry-level Verossa came equipped with Toyota's ''
1G-FE'' engine producing at 6,200 rpm and of torque at 4,400 rpm. The 20 was only available with an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission. The 20Four and 20Four G package offered full-time four-wheel drive. The G Package included aesthetic accouterments like alloy wheels and leather seats.
25 and V25
These models featured Toyota's ''
1JZ-FSE'' engine with
direct injection rated at at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 3,800 rpm. Both came with a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, differentiating them from the 2.0 L variants. The more upmarket V25 featured a rear stabilizer bar in addition to the front stabilizer bar found in the 2.0 L variants, along with larger 17-inch wheels and leather seating option.
VR25
A throwback to the Tourer V variant of its predecessors, the VR25 featured the ''
1JZ-GTE'' engine equipped with single CT15B
turbocharger
In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (often called a turbo) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to pro ...
rated at at 6,200 rpm and of torque at 2,400 rpm, and was mated to either a 5-speed
manual or the same 4-speed automatic as found in the 2.0 L variants with a standard
limited-slip differential
A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential that allows its two output shafts to rotate at different speeds but limits the maximum difference between the two shafts. Limited-slip differentials are often known by the generic t ...
. As per the V25, the VR25 came with front and rear strut-tower bars and 17-inch wheels; leather was an option as were front and rear spoilers.
Gallery
Toyota Verossa 25 (TA-JZX110) front.jpg, Toyota Verossa 25 (JZX110, Japan)
Toyota Verossa 25 (TA-JZX110) rear.jpg, Toyota Verossa 25 (JZX110, Japan)
References
{{Toyota Motor Corporation
Verossa
Cars introduced in 2001
Cars discontinued in 2004
Mid-size cars
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Sports sedans