Toyota Brevis

Toyota
Toyota Brevis - exhibition model (2001)
Brevis
Production period:	2001-2007
Class :	Middle class
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Petrol engines: 2.5-3.0 liters (147-162 kW)
Length:	4550 mm
Width:	1720 mm
Height:	1460-1475 mm
Wheelbase :	2780 mm
Empty weight :	1520-1550 kg

The Toyota Brevis was a mid- size sedan introduced by Toyota in May 2001 for the Japanese market only. The Brevis has adopted some styling details from the Lexus LS 430 . The Brevis was offered from June 2001 to 2007 and, depending on the model version, was based on the Toyota platforms JCG10, JCG11 and JCG15.

The Brevis is based on the Progrès , which came out six months before the Lexus IS on a similar platform. Unlike the Progrès, the Brevis aimed at a younger clientele and, according to Toyota, competed with imported models such as the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class . The chassis and drive were similar to those of the Progrès, but the body and interior were different. The headlights consisted of three round spotlights under a common glass cover. The bottle-green lighting of the speedometer and clock underlined the luxury of the vehicle. In the elegant center console was an LC screen and in the top model there was an aluminum-clad sound system, which consisted of a CD changer mounted in the dashboard, a DVD / MD player and seven speakers.

The Brevis was based on the same rear-wheel drive platform as the Lexus IS, but with the wheelbase extended to 2,780 mm. In terms of size and weight, it was somewhere between the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series, which meant that it offered plenty of space in the interior. In terms of driving behavior, however, it could not hold a candle to its European competitors (Toyota intended the Lexus brand for this purpose ), although its axles were equipped with double wishbones. The chassis was designed to be softer than that of the Lexus, the steering was less direct and its heavy weight of 1,550 kg also made it difficult to drive.

There were two engines to choose from, both front-mounted straight-six. The 2.5-l R6 mobilized 200 bhp (147 kW), while the 3.0-l R6 delivered 220 bhp (162 kW). Both engines were equipped with variable valve timing (VVTi) and direct injection (D-4). There was a five-speed automatic transmission for the rear-wheel drive cars, and a four -speed automatic transmission for those with all-wheel drive , each on request. The 4WD model was only available in conjunction with the 2.5 liter R6 engine.

Other optional extras included electrically adjustable pedals and a memory function for adjusting the pedals, the driver's seat and the steering column. An electrically operated rear window blind and a radar distance warning device were also available. The standard equipment also included a stability control (VSC), an ABS and high-voltage discharge lamps for the headlights.

In April 2004, the Brevis was revised and received a prestigious grille in the form of a grille. The models from January 2006 had EMV (rear view camera and cameras for the blind spot), as well as GPS navigation on DVD basis (for G-BOOK and NAVI.AI-SHIFT, not available for the 4WD models).