Toyota Brevis

The Toyota Brevis is a mid-sized luxury sedan introduced in May 2001 and sold only in Japan. The Brevis has some styling cues from the Lexus LS 430. Sales started in June, 2001. The Brevis was discontinued in 2007.

The Toyota Brevis is based on the Progres, which was launched half a year before the Altezza/Lexus IS with a similar platform. Unlike Progres, the new Brevis aims at younger customers, with Toyota saying it is intended to compete directly with imports like the BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-Class. The chassis and powertrain is similar to the Progres, with altered exterior styling and a differently trimmed interior. The headlamps consists of three round type beams. The feeling of luxury and elegant space is reflected by using the glass green lighting for the speedometer and the clock. The stylish center console houses a LCD monitor and an alloy-effect sound system which consists of a on-dash CD changer, DVD and MD playback, with 7 speakers on the top model.

The Brevis is based on the same rear-drive platform as Lexus IS, with wheelbase extended to 2,780 mm (109.4 in). In terms of size and weight, it stand between a BMW 3-series and 5-series, so cabin space is plenty. However, dynamically speaking it can hardly match the European rivals (in Toyota's brand images, that role is left for Lexus to fulfill), although rides on double-wishbones suspensions. Suspension is set softer than the Lexus, steering is less direct, and its 1,550 kg (3,417 lb) kerb weight also hurt handling agility.
There are two choices of power plant: 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre straight-six both front mounted, pumping out 200 hp (150 kW) and 220 hp (160 kW) respectively. Both are equipped with VVT-i and D-4 direct injection. It comes this with 5-speed AT (2WD car) or 4-speed AT (4WD car) options, in which the 4WD option is only available for the 2.5 litre model.
Other options includes power adjustable pedal, in which pedal positions can be adjusted to suit the drivers' driving posture, the position of pedal, steering wheel and driver’s seat are memorized. There is also an electric rear sunshade and a radar guided cruise control system to ensure a safe following distance to the car ahead in correspondence to the traveling speed. All these are standard equipments. Also included are the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, ABS, and high intensity discharge (HID) head lamps.

The later models was improved in April 2004 as the prestigious mesh grille design was adopted for the front grille. The models after December 2005 comes with EMV (with color backing guide monitor & window shade corner monitor) and also a DVD voice navigation system for G-BOOK and NAVI.AI-SHIFT (not applicable for 4WD models.)