The Toyota Progrès (pronounced "Prog-Ray") 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 t ...

luxury sedan which was sold in

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

from May 1998 to June 2007, replacing the Toyota Corona EXiV. The Progrès included 2.5 L or 3.0 L JZ inline 6-cylinder engines with

VVT-i VVT-i, or Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, is an automobile variable valve timing petrol engine technology manufactured by Toyota Group and used by brands Groupe PSA (Peugeot and Citroen), Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Daihatsu, Subar ...

. Since April 2001, the Progrès used 1JZ-FSE (2.5 L) and 2JZ-FSE (3.0 L) direct injection (D4) engines. The versions with a 1JZ engine were called NC250, and those with a 2JZ engine NC300. It was exclusive to Toyota Japan dealerships ''

Toyopet 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 ...

'', while its twin the Brevis was exclusive to '' Toyota Store'' locations, and shared a marketing approach used on the ''

Toyota Vista 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 ...

'' 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 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 regist ...

they were willing to pay; the larger engine did offer higher levels of standard equipment and luxury features. The name "progrès" is French for "progress". The Progrès was available with 6 airbags, voice activated GPS system called G-Book, NAVI AI-SHIFT world first GPS-guided car

transmission (mechanics) A transmission (also called a gearbox) is a mechanical device invented by Louis Renault (industrialist), Louis Renault (who founded Renault, Renault) which uses a gear set—two or more gears working together—to change the speed, direction of ...

, 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 was discontinued in Japan in June 2007, while the slightly smaller Toyota Premio continued as an affordable luxury car offering. 1998 Toyota Progres 02

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Official
Progres Luxury vehicles Cars introduced in 1998 Cars discontinued in 2007 {{modern-auto-stub 2000s cars Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

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