Toyota Pronard-Symbol of 21st Century Sophistication

Superior Features Set Pronard Apart

The Pronard's space-creating front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout is supplemented by more-vertical side windows, which help to provide greater shoulder room. There is also more-than-ample leg room for occupants in both the front and rear seats. "Sumo wrestler-size" dimensions include 145mm knee clearance in the rear (with a 990mm hip point distance from the front seat to the rear seat), and 55mm and 25mm head clearance for front-and rear-seat passengers, respectively, based on an occupant height of 185 cm. With both the front and rear seats 550 mm from the ground, getting in and out of the Pronard requires minimal effort. An optional bench seat is available for the 3.0L grade, and a column shift and foot break allows side-to-side walk-through.

The Pronard also features 562 liters (VDA) of luggage space-enough room for four large suitcases. Added functionality is afforded by a low trunk opening and a net and hooks for safely securing stored items.

Soft, high-quality genuine leather seats, standard seat heaters in the "G Package" of the 3.0 grade and in the 3.0 L, and other features minimize fatigue during long trips, and all models come with a power driver's seat.

Air conditioning with fully automatic temperature settings, both left and right, and air filter functions are also standard. Air conditioner blower outlets for the rear seats are standard (except in the 3.0 L).

Electro Multivision with a seven-inch display informs drivers of their instantaneous fuel mileage, approximately how far they can travel before refueling, their average speed and how long they have been behind the wheel. A state-of-the-art DVD navigation system enables drivers to find routes and calculate required travel times more quickly than ever before. Other advanced navigation features include pinpoint destination searches down to street addresses, direct Vehicle Information Communication System (VICS) reception and interaction with Toyota's Mobile Network (MONET) online information system. And a handy remote control mounted on the center console (except in the 3.0L) provides stress-free operation.

An engine immobilizer system, standard on all grades, prevents theft by making it impossible to start the engine without an electronically registered key.

An electrical outlet for home electric accessories up to AC 100V/100W and cup holder-equipped arm rests for the rear seats provide added convenience.

Exterior and Interior Styling for the 21st Century

The wide-angled pillars, viewed from the side, combine with the outward curvature of the side windows to accentuate the feeling of openness in harmony with the graceful sweeping motion of the body's design. At the same time, clear-cut exterior lines give definition to the sedan's advanced styling.

The front view incorporates a delicate blending of the four independent headlights, which border the elegant lines of the vertical ribs of the radiator grille. The fog lights at the corners of the bumper add to the expansive look and strengthen the feel of a low center of gravity.

An energetic V-shaped rear view is achieved by the triangular configuration of the rear combination lamps enclosing the reverse trapezoid license plate section embossed into the back.

Inside, a rounded instrument panel links the horizontally aligned graphics display with the door trim, creating a feeling of expansiveness. The optitron meters are set forward and enlarged for easier visibility-in the daytime they are in white, and at night they appear in a blue-green shade. Sweeping left toward the passenger side are the center display panel, clock and temperature gauge. For ease of use, the audio and temperature control indicators are also displayed in large, easy-to-read figures. Their combined effect and a light ivory color give the interior an unmatched luxurious tone.

High-quality driving performance and superior handling

The compactness of the engine enabled a down-sizing of the engine room that created added space for interior comfort. The robust V6 3.0 liter BEAMS 1MZ-FE engine affords powerful driving performance and outstanding driveability. This 21st century power unit features VVT-i for optimized intake valve timing, and ACIS-IV, an acoustic control induction system. The torque at low and medium speeds is among the highest for this class of vehicle and is achieved without sacrificing superior fuel economy.

The Pronard's ECT-iE automatic transmission electronically controls engine torque and clutch oil pressure to ensure fluid gear shifts under all driving conditions. A shift control system suppresses excessive gear changes and smoothes shifts when ascending or descending slopes.

The chassis includes a four-wheel independent suspension system, with MacPherson struts in the front and dual-link struts in the rear. Stabilizers in both the front and the rear ensure a steady, graceful ride, superior handling and enhanced driving stability.

The 3.0 "G Package" has as standard Skyhook TEMS, which provides automatic damping force control based on Skyhook Logic^* to provide shock absorption that continuously responds to changes in road conditions and vehicle speed.

A new progressive power steering unit uses a small step motor that increases the precision of the control valve actuator and ensures agile and stable steering response at all vehicle speeds. This creates a much stronger "in control" sensation for the driver.

A sophisticated active control engine mount greatly suppresses the transfer of engine vibrations to the chassis during idling. Anti-vibration sub-frames and a high-rigidity body, along with vibration-control and sound-absorbing materials, reduced engine noise and superior aerodynamics, provide NVH characteristics appropriate for a high-class FF vehicle.