2013 Toyota Verso

New Toyota Verso

•New exterior design language bringing new levels of style and dynamism to the Verso model range
•Revised interior harmonising instrumentation and switchgear, and enhancing perceived cabin quality through new trim detailing
•Combining with Auris and Auris Touring Sports wagon for a renewed C-segment product offensive in Europe
•Planned, designed and engineered under the leadership of Toyota Motor Europe, and built exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey

Brussels, Belgium - A showcase for the company's European design and engineering capabilities, the new Toyota Verso makes its world debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Together with the new Auris and Auris Touring Sports wagon, it represents part of the renewed C-segment product offensive for Toyota in Europe.




With over 470 changed parts, the new Verso represents a comprehensive mid-lifecycle model upgrade for Toyota in Europe.

Integral to Toyota's C-segment rejuvenation, the new Verso has been planned, designed, engineered and built under the leadership of Toyota Motor Europe. This is the company's first full-scale project to incorporate European-based Product Planning, Design, R & D and Purchasing from concept planning onwards, as part of Toyota's regional strategy.

Built exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey, the new Verso is expected to sell around 50,000 units in 2013, giving the company an approximate 5% segment share.

New Toyota Frontal Design Treatment

The new Verso represents a fresh, more powerful and sophisticated interpretation of the third generation Toyota MPV's distinctive, dual-zone styling. It retains the dynamic, full-length character line which delineates the bonnet and cabin from the chassis and rear loadspace in profile.



The Únder Priority design features a large, trapezoidal lower grille set within a redesigned front bumper, and a smaller upper grille running full width between the new headlamps.

Dominated by a new, larger Toyota badge which is set lower than its predecessor, the upper grille features a central, chrome-plated horizontal trim bar which is visually extended into the headlamp clusters to accentuate the width of the new Verso.

Narrower and more aggressively styled, the headlamp clusters themselves incorporate new LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and come with High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps on the Lounge (High) grade.

The large lower grille is flanked by integral foglamps with chrome surround detailing. It features a piano black paint finish, twin chrome strips and a full-width, body-coloured lip spoiler, once again accentuating the width of the new Verso and emphasising its broad, planted stance.

In profile, the new Verso retains the model's trademark, dual-zone styling. This is clearly expressed by a strong character line which flows from the leading edge of the front bumper, rising through the lower edge of the doors before sweeping upwards through the C pillar to define the roof-mounted spoiler.

The Verso profile is enhanced through smaller, more dynamic, foldable door mirrors featuring integrated turn signal lights, and a choice of two new alloy wheels. The 17' alloys share the design of their predecessor but feature a new, darker finish, whilst the new 16' alloys now have a machine faced finished.

To the rear, a new bumper design incorporates an integral low level diffuser, emphasising the width and stability of the new model. The rear lamp clusters feature colour changes to the centre and outer lenses, and, on the boot lid, the Toyota badge is emphasised through the application of a rear license plate garnish

The new Verso will be available in a choice of 11 exterior colours, of which three are new; Pearl White, Vivid Blue and Solid Blue.

Úpgraded Interior Design with Improved Sensory Quality

The new Verso interior features the extensive use of new trim detailing and a softer feeling, satin black paint finish to enhance perceived cabin quality throughout. The upper glove box is now finished in soft touch material, and the door trim, armrest and steering wheel are clad in Nappa leather.

Warm satin chrome trim highlights have been applied to the driver's instrument surrounds, the instrument binnacle hood rim, the air vents, instrument panel, gear shift bezel and door assist grips. The door handle itself is now finished in a new, two-layer paint coating.

The presentation of instrumentation and switchgear has been harmonised through more consistent lighting and font sizing. The driver's meters are now back-lit in white for improved clarity and legibility, whilst the air conditioning dials and display, and all switchgear including window switches are illuminated in a deep orange for legibility without excessive distraction after dark.

A new rheostat switch allows for the simultaneous adjustment of both combination meter and all switchgear illumination, giving consistency to backlighting brightness and intensity throughout the interior.

Live (Entry) and Active (Mid) grade models feature a range of new seat fabrics – black and blue / turquoise for the Live level and black and white with a 3D effect for Active grade models. Seat bolster support has been improved on all grades, the bolsters themselves finished in a smoother more durable lamination.

Lounge grade models are equipped with leather bolsters with double stitching to match that of the door trim centre armrest. The Verso Lounge grade is also equipped with Smart Entry & Push Start whilst other grades are available with a folding jack knife key.

Despite its highly compact packaging, the Verso offers exceptional interior roominess, and boasts a best-in-class 975 mm couple distance between the first and second row of seats.

The Toyota Easy Flat-7 seating system offers true MPV flexibility, with 32 different seating permutations. Providing individual seats in both second and third rows, and a second row seat sliding range of 195 mm, it is acknowledged as one of the most practical, flexible and intuitive seating designs available.

Completely flat with second and third row seats folded, the new Verso's loadspace is 1,575 mm long and 1,430 mm wide. With all three seating rows in place, the luggage volume measures 155 litres. With the third row seats folded, it rises to 440 litres.

The Trunk Management system, located beneath the rear loadspace, is ideal for storing valuable items out of view. Its capacity varies according to five or seven seat usage, and the choice of a temporary spare tyre or a tyre repair kit. This space also provides storage for the luggage tonneau cover when not in use.

As befits a true Multi-Purpose Vehicle, the new Verso offers a comprehensive range of storage compartments, including a twin compartment glovebox featuring a cooled upper section large enough to hold a 1.5 litre bottle and an 8.2 litre lower section.

It also has a spacious centre console box, generous door pockets, seat back storage beneath aviation-style, fold out tables with integral cupholders, a drawer beneath the front passenger seat, second row underfloor storage, an overhead console and driver and passenger pockets for mobile phone and MP3 player storage.

A 2,340 mm by 1,280 mm, full-length Skyview panoramic sunroof is available, bringing significantly more light to the new interior and greatly enhancing perceptions of cabin spaciousness.

Three Grade Line-up with Improved Standard Equipment

The new Verso carries over the three grade strategy of its predecessor. However, with an enhanced interior and an increase in standard equipment for each grade, it now represents even better value for money.

Live grade model standard equipment now includes front foglamps, a Follow Me Home headlamp function and the addition of heating and integrated turn signal lights to the electrically adjustable door mirrors.

To the already comprehensive Live grade, Active grade adds electrically folding door mirrors, a piano black paint finish front license garnish, chrome lower grille trim, chrome foglamp surrounds, a height adjustable front passenger seat, two-tone 16' machine faced alloy wheels and Toyota Touch, which incorporates a back monitor camera.

Lounge grade adds leather seat bolsters, armrest and door trim with double stitching. It features Smart Entry with push start, dual zone automatic air-conditioning, a Sensor Pack, rear side mirror sunshades, 17'' alloy wheels and High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps.

Toyota Touch, a 6.1 inch, full colour, touch-screen interface which represents a new approach to affordable, on-board multimedia systems, is now fitted as standard in the new Verso from the Active grade.

Building on the multimedia base unit, Toyota Touch & Go Plus equips the new Verso with an optional navigation system. Available with DAB/DAB+/DMB digital radio, the premium quality Toyota Touch Pro adds numerous advanced features including 3D city modelling, an on-line Points Of Interest search facility.

A comprehensive range of options includes a Sensor Pack with automatic wiper and headlamp operation and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a Skyview panoramic roof and High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps with integral LED DRLs.

A new option pack has been created with fleet customers in mind, which includes a leather steering wheel, cruise control and Toyota Touch.

The new Verso is equipped with a comprehensive range of active, passive and pedestrian safety features. With the launch of the current generation model in 2009, it achieved a maximum, 5-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.

Powertrains

The new Verso will be equipped with a choice of five engines, all benefitting from the wide ranging advanced technologies and internal improvement programmes of Toyota Optimal Drive. All engines' CO2 emissions of the New Verso have been lowered.

Mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, the 126 DIN hp 2.0 litre D-4D diesel has been revised to improve torque delivery at low rpm and reduce combustion noise. Simultaneously, CO2 emissions have been lowered below 130 g/km.

A 2.2 litre D-CAT diesel developing 177 DIN hp is available, mated to a choice of either 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions.

As an option, the towing capacity of the Verso 2.0 D-4D model has been increased by 200 kg, to 1,500 kg.

A choice of 1.6 litre, 132 DIN hp and 1.8 litre, 147 DIN hp Valvematic petrol engines will also be available, both equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The latter may also be equipped with a revised automatic Mutidrive transmission which now incorporates a more 'stepped' gear shift feel, with engine revs building in a manner more closely linked to vehicle acceleration.

Driving Dynamics

The Verso has been designed to offer all the stability and ride comfort of a conventional passenger car. Revisions to the driving dynamics of the new Verso equip it with even greater body control and more agile handling.

Body rigidity has been improved through the addition of extra welding points. The front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension has been tuned for greater ride comfort, and the electric power steering revised to improve steering feel and feedback.

Occupant comfort has also been enhanced through the reduction of interior noise levels. Sound damping on the A pillar and the introduction of smaller, more aerodynamic door mirrors has reduced wind noise. And engine noise has been lowered by a reduction in combustion noise and improved sound damping between the engine bay and cabin.

Source - Toyota