2009 Toyota Verso

Press release

Combining true Multi-Purpose Vehicle flexibility and practicality, with the style, quality, comfort and driving pleasure of a conventional passenger car, the new Toyota Verso is the no-compromise choice for compact MPV customers.

Toyota’s unique, ‘Dynamic Lounge’ concept combines state-of-the-art exterior and interior styling with the ultimate in space, comfort, practicality and flexibility, class leading occupant and pedestrian safety features, and the ride quality, acoustic comfort and dynamic abilities of a conventional passenger car. Within an all-new interior, an improved Toyota Easy Flat-7 seating system offers more space, greater comfort and easier operability, with a particular focus on enhanced second and third row accommodation.

Toyota Optimal Drive technology has been introduced throughout the new Verso range offering engine power increases of up to 20%, and fuel economy and CO2 emission reductions of up to 12%. A five engine line-up features 126DIN hp 2.0 litre, and 150 and 177DIN hp 2.2 litre examples of Toyota’s D-4D turbodiesel technology, as well as 1.6 and 1.8 litre Valvematic petrol units offering classleading power and CO2 emissions.

With a class-leading drag coefficient of just Cd 0.295, a 30mm longer wheelbase, front and rear tracks increased by 23 and 48mm respectively and extensively revised suspension geometry, the new Verso’s improved driving dynamics offer all the agile handling, body control, stability and ride comfort of a conventional passenger car.

Combining upgraded active, passive and pedestrian impact safety features with a highly rigid, impact absorbing body shell incorporating an increased percentage of high tensile steel, the new Verso is designed to achieve a maximum, 5-star rating in the more stringent Euro NCAP crash test programme. Capitalising on an investment of more than 1 billion Euros and reinforcing the Adapazari plant’s reputation for exceptional build quality, the new Verso will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey.

Dynamic lounge concept

Far from simply an interior styling and packaging exercise, Toyota’s ‘Dynamic Lounge’ concept focuses on every key attribute of a C segment MPV to ensure that the new Verso combines state-of-the-art exterior and interior styling with the ultimate in space, comfort, practicality and flexibility, class leading occupant and pedestrian safety features, and the ride quality, acoustic comfort and dynamic abilities of a conventional passenger car.

The ‘Lounge’ element of this unique concept is reinforced through the comfort, quality, convenience, atmosphere and roominess of an all-new interior, whilst the verso’s ‘Dynamic’ content is expressed through powerful external and interior design elements and outstanding driving dynamics.

Dual-Zone Exterior Design

In comparison to the model it replaces, the new Toyota Verso has increased in length by 70mm to 4440mm, increased in width by 20mm to 1790mm, and remains 1620mm in height.

Building on the dynamic character of the previous model, the new Verso takes Toyota’s distinctive design language a stage forward, giving it a fresh and unique interpretation. Innovative, dual-zone exterior styling divides the vehicle into two distinct zones, clearly expressing the combination of functionality and dynamism inherent in the new MPV’s ‘Dynamic Lounge’ concept.

Seen in profile, the new Verso’s dual-zone styling 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. Two distinct zones are thus delineated; Zone 1, the bonnet and cabin, and Zone 2, the chassis and rear loadspace. The front of the new Verso is characterised by distinctive bonnet lines that flow from the base of the ‘A’ pillars, a confident, horizontal twin-bar grille which curves down and around a prominent Toyota emblem, large, powerful headlamp clusters pulled tightly back into the front wings and a deep air dam which reinforces the new MPV’s broad, muscular stance.

In profile, sharply delineated front wheel arches compliment the dual-zone character line, blending softly into the upper wings to generate a second character line which reinforces the wheel arch before locating the aerodynamic door handles as it runs back along the vehicle waistline.

To the rear, a practical, top-hinged tailgate flanked by generous, high-visibility lamp clusters, is rebated deeply into the rear bumper, both continuing as a feature line along the upper flanks before tapering away at the rear lights helping to accentuate the car’s silhouette.

A range of newly designed 16” and 17” wheels compliment the new Verso’s dualzone design, and ten body colours are available including five new colours: Silver Metallic, Red, Blue Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic and Dark Purple.

Smart Wave Interior Design

Further reflecting the Verso’s ‘Dynamic Lounge’ concept, the all-new interior is dominated by the ‘Smart Wave Dynamism’ of the dashboard design, lifting the cabin styling far above the conventional functionality of a traditional MPV. Offering superb switchgear ergonomics and placing the gear lever as close as possible to the steering wheel, the powerful, vertical definition of the centre console separates the focused functionality of the driver’s zone from the relaxed comfort of the front passenger’s zone.

The two zones are interconnected by a crisp ‘wave’ line running the full width of the fascia, which houses the driver’s instrument binnacle. The binnacle, containing cylindrical speedometer and rev’ counter dials, is offset to maximise the driver’s view of the road ahead whilst still remaining within his field of vision. Ambiance, colour choice and the quality of materials are all fundamental to the ‘Dynamic Lounge’ concept. As the Verso is approached and opened via the remote key fob, door mirror-mounted puddle lights illuminate the ground beside the car, and discreet, orange LED front footwell lighting welcomes occupants as the doors are opened.

Complimented by titanium-finish highlights to the instrument panel, centre console steering wheel and door handles, a blend of soft-touch, technical grain on the upper dashboard and leather grain on the darker lower dashboard accentuates the sense of space and roominess within the cabin. The airy, spacious atmosphere of the cabin is further reinforced by the largest, one-piece, panoramic sunroof in this MPV class. Stretching from the windscreen head to beyond the B pillars, the sunroof is 1160mm long, 1180mm wide and features an electrically powered lamella blind which may be opened to any point within the length of the sunroof.

Toyota Easy Flat-7 Seating

Offering 32 different seating permutations and already acknowledged as one of the most practical, flexible and intuitive seating designs available, the Verso’s ‘Toyota Easy Flat-7’ system had been substantially revised to benefit from the new MPV’s 30mm increase in wheelbase length. Providing individual seats in both second and third rows, it offers simplified operability, a larger seat sliding range, more legroom and improved seat comfort throughout.

Height adjustable front seats benefit from improved shoulder support and a seat base that has been lengthened by 20mm. The height of the seat cushion has been raised by 40mm which, combined with reach and rake adjustment to the steering wheel, offers drivers of all sizes an ideal driving position with significantly improved visibility.

Accessed through rear door openings of identical size to those in front, the second row seats also benefit from improved cushioning and support. Second tier sliding distance has been increased by 30mm, to both improve legroom and third row access, and each of the three middle row seats may be independently moved over 195mm, and memory function returns each backrest to its previously selected angle.

Benefiting from a new, low profile headrest design which eliminates the need to remove headrests at any time, all second and third row seats may be individually folded flat. Third row folding has been simplified through a one-handed, singleaction pull-strap mechanism, and third row seatbacks also now include reclining pitch adjustment for added comfort.

Loadspace and Storage

Completely flat with second and third row seats folded, the new Verso’s loadspace has been extended in length by 185mm to 1830mm, and widened by 240mm to 1585mm. With all three seating rows in place, luggage volume has increased from 63 to 155 litres, amongst the best in segment.

Beneath the rear loadspace, a new, Trunk Management system is ideal for storing valuable items out of view. Its capacity varies according to five or seven seat usage, and the choice of full-size or emergency spare wheel. 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.

Noise, Vibration and Harshness

Particular attention has been paid to the minimisation of Noise, Vibration and Harshness intrusion into the cabin of the new Verso, resulting in a vehicle which not only offers best-in-class NVH properties for a C-segment MPV, but also matches those of many D-segment passenger cars.

In addition to the use of traditional acoustic damping techniques, the new Verso features the world’s first application of a two-piece upper and lower liner on the cabin side of the bulkhead, the density of which is optimised only at the most critical points, thus minimising unnecessary weight gain. A second acoustic liner on the engine side of the bulkhead combines with under-bonnet insulation to further reduce engine noise intrusion.

Tuned floor silencing panels have been installed beneath the seats and in the spare wheel well, and the new Verso also introduces Toyota’s first application of a new acoustic material with an isolation film that combines insulation and absorption of noise in the foot wells.

Dashboard vibration has been minimised through cruciform bracing which ties the instrument panel structure to the ‘A’ pillar, cross car beam and floor. A second beam, bracketed to the floor, runs across the car beneath the rear seats. In addition, fender liners and resin rocker mouldings help reduce stone chip clatter, and an insulator between the ‘A’ pillar and the inner wing further isolates the cabin from noise intrusion.

In conjunction with a comprehensive aerodynamics package which awards the new Verso a class-leading drag coefficient of just Cd 0.295, these extensive NVH measures combine to reduce cabin noise by a significant 2.5dBA over the previous model.

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Toyota Optimal Drive technology

Toyota Optimal Drive showcases a combination of wide-ranging advanced technologies and internal improvement programmes designed to optimise the balance of performance and driving enjoyment with fuel economy and low emissions.

These diverse core technologies focus on three key aspects of powertrain development:

Firstly, the reduction of powertrain weight through the use of super-lightweight and highly compact engine components and transmissions. Secondly, the minimisation of mechanical losses through the adoption of Valvematic – a further development of VVT-i, new roller rocker technology, smaller, lighter pistons, low viscosity oil and new, manual and Multidrive S transmissions.

And thirdly, the maximisation of combustion efficiency. This has been achieved within the Verso petrol engine range through the adoption of high, 11.5:1 compression ratios, the refinement of intake port and combustion chamber design, and the introduction of piston cooling by oil jet. All new Verso diesel units benefit from an upgraded fuel injection system.

The new Verso is the ninth model to benefit from Toyota Optimal Drive. A five engine line-up features 126DIN hp 2.0 litre, and 150 and 177DIN hp 2.2 litre examples of Toyota’s D-4D turbodiesel technology, as well as 1.6 and 1.8 litre Valvematic petrol units offering class-leading power and CO2 emissions. Mated to a new, 6-speed manual transmission, the new 1.6-litre Valvematic develops 132DIN hp, 22DIN hp more than the 1.6 VVT-i unit it replaces, whilst torque has been increased by 10 Nm to 160 Nm at 4400 rpm. Conversely, CO2 emissions have been reduced by 20g to 158g/km and combined fuel consumption is a frugal 6.7l/100km.

The new 1.8 litre Valvematic affords similar power increases over its 1.8 litre VVT-i predecessor. Power has been increased by 18DIN hp to 147DIN hp, and torque boosted by 10Nm to 180Nm at 4400 rpm. The engine may be mated to a new 6-speed manual transmission or a new Multidrive S transmission, an example of Toyota’s latest continuously variable transmission technology. Equipped with 6-speed manual transmission, the engine’s CO2 emissions have been reduced by 22g to 162g/km and combined fuel consumption is only 6.9l/100 km. When combined with the Multidrive S, CO2 emissions are 164g/km and fuel consumption is 7.0l/100km.

The next generation Verso diesel engine range features a newly available 2.0 D-4D turbodiesel, available with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, it delivers 126DIN hp and 310 Nm of torque from 1800 to 2400 rpm. CO2 emissions are as low as 140g/km on units fitted with a Catalytic Converter, and 146g/km on those with a DPF. The Verso 2.0 D-4D 7-seater has the best-in-class CO2 emission levels for the 110-140DIN hp range, the core of the C-MPV segment.

The revised 2.2 D-4D diesel engine block now delivers 150DIN hp, and 340 Nm of torque between 2000 and 2800 rpm. This engine features a new 6-speed automatic transmission and Toyota Diesel-Clean Advanced Technology (Toyota D-CAT), delivering CO2 emissions of 178g/km and fuel consumption of 6.8 l/100km.

Carried over from the previous model range, a second 2.2 D-4D turbodiesel, also available with a 6-speed manual transmission, delivers 177DIN hp and 400Nm from 2000 to 2800 rpm. CO2 emissions have been reduced by 19g to 159g/km. All diesel engines meet EURO 5 standards when fitted with DPF or Toyota D-CAT.

Driving Dynamics

With an all-new, high-rigidity body shell offering improved torsional stiffness, a longer wheelbase, increased front and rear tracks and extensively revised suspension geometry, the new Verso has been designed to offer all the agile handling, body control, stability and ride comfort of a conventional passenger car.

Class-leading Aerodynamics

With a class-leading drag coefficient of just Cd 0.295, the new Verso’s carefully considered aerodynamic design is fundamental to body control, high speed stability and the reduction of wind noise.

Particular attention has been paid to the flow of air beneath the car. A smooth underfloor, wheel spats and wing-shaped vertical fins to the rear all contribute to the control of vertical body movement and the optimisation of both front and
rear lift coefficients. The result is a flatter straight line ride, a more controlled yaw response, and enhanced rear stability, most notably in cross-winds.

Revised Suspension

A re-engineered MacPherson strut front suspension system now features dual top mounts: a stiffer, outer mount locating the spring and a softer inner mount locating the damper. Combined increases in both caters angle and roll rigidity, the dual mount format combines optimum handling with low noise transmission and first class ride comfort.

Chosen for its compact, lightweight design offering minimal intrusion into the loadspace, the rear torsion beam suspension system with integral anti-roll bar has also been revised. The trailing arm angle has been optimised to enhance steering response, whilst separating the spring and damper mounts has improved packaging efficiency, ride comfort and handling.

Electric Power Steering

A first for Toyota in Europe, the variable assistance Electric Power Steering now features active steering force compensation. If the system detects a steering input speed too high for the required vehicle response, it will automatically reduce power assistance delivery to limit steering input and, hence, promote smoother driving.

In addition, when the steering column torque sensor detects vibration from the wheels, an active vibration control programme within the ECU can produce a compensating signal to reduce the vibration before it reaches the steering wheel.

Brakes and Tyres

The new Verso is equipped with the latest ABS and ESP braking and stability systems which incorporate Electronic Brakeforce distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist to promote significantly reduced stopping distances. Helping further shorten stopping distances, the Verso’s tyres have been chosen for low rolling resistance to lower fuel consumption, whilst their reduced vertical stiffness further improves ride comfort.

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Safety

With upgraded active, passive and pedestrian impact safety features and a highly rigid, impact absorbing body shell incorporating an increased percentage of high tensile steel, the Verso is designed to achieve a maximum, 5-star rating in the more stringent Euro NCAP crash test programme.

Active Safety

The new Verso may be equipped with the full range of active safety systems, including a latest generation Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) which takes into account road conditions, speed, load and bodyshell dynamics to automatically distribute braking forces more effectively. Brake Assist (BA) monitors brake pedal depression speed to determine whether an emergency-braking manoeuvre is intended. If the driver applies insufficient braking force yet the system recognises the need for emergency braking, it will automatically increase the hydraulic pressure in the system to optimise braking efficiency.

Vehicle Stability Control plus (VSC+), incorporating Steering Torque Assist, counteracts understeer or oversteer by independently applying appropriate braking force to any of the four wheels, whilst simultaneously applying countersteering torque to help the driver stabilise the vehicle.

A Traction Control System (TRC) contains wheel spin on low or split surfaces, whilst Steering Torque Assist further helps to counter yaw moments under braking and acceleration.

Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) increases vehicle control on steep upgrades when stopping and starting on slippery surfaces. The HAC system is designed to help prevent the vehicle from rolling backward as the driver’s foot moves from brake to throttle pedal when pulling away on a gradient.

Passive Safety

The new Verso is fitted with seven airbags, as standard: driver and front seat passenger front and side airbags, a front passenger knee airbag, and side curtain airbags that now extend the full length of the cabin, incorporating the third seating row.
The front seats are equipped with cable-operated anti-whiplash headrests, and there is a seat belt reminder in the instrument binnacle for all seats. In addition, driver and front passenger energy absorbing pads are built into the front foot wells to reduce lower leg injuries.

Side impact shock is channelled across the car’s floor pan and roof strengthening beams whilst, a first for Toyota, energy absorbing pads are fitted at the rear door belt line and the rear passenger’s hip-point to reduce injuries. A high resistance seat rod located beneath the rear seats and secured on each side of the cabin by aluminium and resin hybrid stiffeners further helps to absorb side impacts and reduce injuries to the rear seat occupants.

Pedestrian Impact Safety

The new Verso’s bonnet features an energy absorbing structure and a crushable cowl at its rear edge. Significantly, the wiper motor and attendant linkage has also been relocated lower on the firewall, allowing for a longer impact stroke if a pedestrian is hit.

Furthermore, the bonnet hood lock is well distanced from the upper bonnet surface, the vehicle front incorporates upper and lower leg impact absorbers, and additional absorbers located where the rear edge of the bonnet meets the upper fender are designed to further mitigate pedestrian impact injuries.

Model Grade and Equipment Specification

Available in Entry, Mid, High and High Plus model grades, the new Verso offers a comprehensive standard equipment specification, even on entry level models. All grades benefit from the Toyota Easy Flat-7 seating flexibility system.

Verso

The entry grade Verso is equipped with: 7 airbags (including side airbags for the third row seats), front active headrests, Vehicle Stability Control plus (VSC+) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), LED rear lamps and welcoming puddle lights, a CD/MP3 compatible stereo with 4 speakers and automatic door locking. Further features to enhance comfort and convenience include an overhead storage console, 2nd row under floor storage, a loadspace management system and a conversation mirror enabling drivers to establish eye contact with rear passengers. Options on this grade include front fog lamps and driver/passenger seat heating.

Verso Luna

To the comprehensive Verso grade specification, Verso Luna grade adds manual air-conditioning, front fog lamps, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, rear electric windows, a CD/MP3 compatible stereo with 6 speakers and Bluetooth connectivity, a bespoke seat trim, and passenger seat under tray and second row aviation tables. Further comfort and convenience features include a cooled glovebox, a middle console box, a larger armrest and a rear 12v plug. Options include cruise control with speed limiter (not available with the Multidrive S transmission), dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, entry level full-map
navigation with DVD, panoramic sunroof and 16” alloy wheels.

Verso Sol

To the Verso Luna grade specification, the Verso Sol grade adds dual-zone automatic air conditioning, 16” alloy wheels, cruise control with speed limiter, rear view camera display (shown within the rear view mirror), smart entry with push start button, rain and dusk sensors and a seat trim upgrade. Further comfort and convenience features include door courtesy lamps, integrated sunshades for rear side windows and driver/passenger seat heating. Options include a more advanced full-map navigation system with a 10 Gb hard disk drive (incorporating rear parking camera), panoramic sunroof, privacy glass and 17” alloy wheels. To the Verso Sol grade, Verso Premium grade adds 17” alloy wheels, an in-dash 6 CD changer, High-Intensity Discharge headlamps with auto levelling and cleaning, a panoramic sunroof and rear privacy glass. Options include an advanced full-map navigation system with a 10 Gb hard disk drive (incorporating rear parking camera).