Toyota Verso

Toyota Verso - 'Toyota Optimal Drive' throughout the range, promising greater power and lower emissions

Launching in the UK in spring 2009, no prices announced yet.

Toyota will unveil its all-new Verso at the Geneva motor show, a no-compromise MPV that offers more space, comfort and practicality, and benefits from the latest occupant and pedestrian safety features. Ride quality, acoustic comfort and dynamic abilities match those of conventional passenger cars.

The interior features an improved Toyota Easy Flat-7 system for quick and convenient folding of the five individual rear seats. Special attention has been paid to increasing comfort for rear passengers with improved second and third row accommodation.

Introducing Toyota Optimal Drive throughout the Verso range has returned increases in engine power of up to 20 per cent, while fuel economy and CO2 emissions show improvements of up to 12 per cent, compared to the current model.

In the UK Verso will be launched in the spring with new 1.6 and 1.8 Valvematic petrol engines which will have a class-leading combination of power and CO2 emissions. These will be offered with a new six-speed manual transmission as standard, with the option of Toyota’s new Multidrive S continuously variable transmission on the 1.8 unit. A revised version of the 2.0-litre D-4D diesel will also be available, with a 2.2 D-CAT 150 engine with new six-speed automatic transmission due to join the line-up later in the year.

New Verso has a class-leading drag coefficient of Cd 0.295, a longer wheelbase, wider front and rear tracks and extensively revised suspension geometry, all of which combines in better driving dynamics, handling, body control, stability and ride comfort.

Active, passive and pedestrian impact safety features are all upgraded and the new highly rigid body shell incorporates a larger percentage of high tensile steel. The standard equipment list will include curtain shield airbags that extend protection to the third row passengers, and intelligent steering assist Vehicle Stability Control (VSC+).

No news on pricing and specification levels yet.