What's the news?
Toyota gave us a sneak preview of the new Verso when it announced its line-up for the Paris Motor Show, but now we have full details of the car that will join the Auris and Auris Touring Sports Wagon in a revitalised C-segment range.
Exterior
Designed, engineered and built in Europe for the European market the new Verso sports the latest interpretation of Toyota's new corporate face. Inspired by the 'Under Priority' design language the Verso features a large trapezoidal lower grille set within a redesigned front bumper, plus a smaller upper grille running full width between the new headlamps. The lights themselves are fitted with LED daytime running lights and in higher specification cars will boast High Intensity Discharge (HID) technology.
A new rear bumper, incorporating a diffuser-style shape, is said to emphasise the width of the redesigned Verso while the rear lights have also come in for a bit of a refresh. When it goes on sale the Verso will be available in a choice of 11 exterior colours, of which three are new: Pearl White, Vivid Blue and Solid Blue.
Interior
Perceived quality is the name of the game in the redesigned cabin with soft touch materials and Nappa leather in abundance. The instrumentation and switchgear have been redesigned to make them easier to read on the move too.
Thirty-two different seat arrangements are possible thanks to Toyota's Easy Flat-7 seating system. Rear legroom has grown to 975mm (for the second row at least) and seats in the second and third rows are individual rather than bench type providing added practicality and comfort. In standard seven-seat form the Verso offers 440 litres of load space, which can grow to 1,575 litres with the second and third rows folded.
A full-length Skyview panoramic sunroof is available that should make the cabin feel even airier while flooding the interior in natural light.
Mechanicals
At launch the Verso will be equipped with a range of diesel and petrol engines, all reworked to make them more efficient while at the same time boosting driver appeal. The 126hp 2.0-litre D-4D diesel has been revised to improve torque delivery at low rpm and reduce combustion noise. Emissions for the six-speed manual equipped car have also been lowered below 130g/km. A 2.2-litre D-CAT diesel developing 177hp is available, mated to a choice of either six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.
Valvematic petrol engines will also be available in the form of a 132hp 1.6-litre and 147hp 1.8-litre, both equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The 1.8 is also available with Toyota's CVT Multidrive unit that has been reworked to include a more 'stepped' gear shift feel, with engine revs building in a manner more closely linked to vehicle acceleration.
Extra welding points in the body shell have increased rigidity while the front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension has been tuned for greater ride comfort meaning less body roll for occupants.
Anything else?
The three trim levels - Live, Active and Lounge - will be carried over from the current Verso range with increased standard equipment offerings. Entry level cars will now include front fog lights and a Follow Me Home headlamp function as standard. Sixteen-inch alloys and the Toyota Touch infotainment system are reserved for mid-spec Active models while the Lounge benefits from keyless entry, dual-zone air conditioning, leather upholstery and HID lights.
We expect prices and final specifications to be announced at the Paris Motor Show.
Paul Healy - 19 Sep 2012
