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. 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 (2.5 L) and 2JZ-FSE (3.0 L)
direct injection (D4) 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. ==Gallery==