Media.Toyota.Co.Uk

Media.Toyota.Co.Uk

media.toyota.co.uk

February 2012

TOYOTA VERSO-S

KEY POINTS

  • Smallest exterior dimensions in its class, but with exceptional interior space
  • Less than four metres long, but comfortably accommodating five
  • First-in-class small MPV to offer CVT system – Toyota’s Multidrive S
  • 1.33-litre petrol engine with Dual VVT-i, giving 51.4mpg (combined cycle) and 127g/km with manual gearbox, 54.3mpg and 120g/km with Multidrive S
  • Lightweight construction aids fuel economy and emissions performance, kerb weight just 1,070kg – lightest in class
  • Two equipment grades – TR and T Spirit
  • Toyota Touch multimedia system fitted as standard, including Bluetooth and rear-view camera; Toyota Touch & Go with satellite navigation available as an option

Introduction

Toyota returned to the B-MPV market in 2011 with the Verso-S, a model that majors on delivering exceptional space and great flexibility within compact overall dimensions. In terms of size, it may be the smallest competitor in the mini-MPV segment, but clever Toyota design has produced an interior that verges on compact family hatchback levels of passenger and load space.

Toyota can be credited as one of the originators of the B-MPV when it launched Yaris Verso in the early 1990s. It re-enters the segment at a time of significant growth: European sales have almost tripled since 2002 as more and more motorists look to downsize and take advantage of the inherent convenience, efficiency and user friendliness of the mini-MPV. These customers are not only families making a switch from conventional B-segment hatchbacks, they also include empty nesters and older people looking for smaller cars that are easy to drive, with no sacrifice in the levels of space, comfort, equipment and quality they are used to.

Measuring less than four metres long, the five-seat Verso-S is the most compact vehicle in its class – which makes for easy around-town driving and manoeuvring – but attention to detail in the interior design has maximised spaciousness, comfort and perceived quality throughout.

Front seat headroom, space for rear seat passengers and the luggage capacity bear comparison to those in cars from the C-segment, while a handy one-touch fold-flat system for the 60:40-split rear seats, operated from within the boot, makes for easy reconfiguration of the interior when larger loads need to be carried. The loadspace comes with a handy, lightweight deck board that can be set at two different levels for added flexibility.

The new Toyota Touch multimedia system is fitted as standard to all versions of Verso-S. It features a 6.1-inch full colour touch-screen for the AM/FM radio, CD/MP3 player, trip information, rear view parking camera and Bluetooth connectivity, plus a USB port for connecting portable audio equipment.

Thanks to its Toyota Optimal Drive 1.33-litre petrol engine with Dual VVT-i, Verso-S delivers class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions: 51.4mpg (combined cycle) and 127g/km when equipped with six-speed manual transmission; 54.3mpg and 120g/km for models which use Toyota’s Multidrive S continuously variable transmission. This is the first CVT to feature on a B-segment Toyota and the first to be offered on a B-MPV.

Verso-S went on sale in the UK on 1 March 2011 in TR and T Spirit grades. In 2011 Toyota sold 1,446 Verso-S in the UK.

DESIGN

  • Shortest vehicle in its class
  • Efficient space management
  • One-touch, flat-folding rear seats
  • Two-level deck board
  • Panoramic roof
  • Toyota Touch multimedia interface
  • Satellite navigation with connected services

The key development concept for Verso-S was Small, Spacious and Smart. It showcases excellent space management efficiency, achieving competitive interior roominess within the shortest overall length – 3,990mm - of any European mini-MPV. Passenger and loadspace rival those of some C-segment cars.

Exterior Design

Verso-S has a compact and appealing exterior design, with short front and rear overhangs that are in keeping with its overall urban-friendly dimensions. Sweeping coachwork lines and smooth transitions between concave and convex surfaces create a sleek appearance.

The car’s “face” is dominated by a wide, single blade grille framed by contoured headlamps, complimented by a large lower air intake and highly sculpted fog lamp surrounds integrated into the far corners of the front bumper.

In profile, the A-pillar flows seamlessly into the long roofline and a single, crisp character line runs the full length of the vehicle. Blacked-out pillars in the side glazing and the panoramic roof serve to emphasise the interior space within the compact bodyshell.

The panoramic roof, fitted as standard to the T Spirit model, is the largest in its class. Starting from almost directly behind the head of the windscreen, it is 1,260mm long by 820mm wide, creating an airy cabin atmosphere. It is made from UV-cut glass, which prevents the build up of heat in the cabin, and comes with a full-length power blind.

At the rear, the wide, top-hinged tailgate is framed by vertically stacked lamp clusters and a sculpted bumper with a flat top to aid easy loading into the bootspace. Secondary lights are set in the rear wings, emphasising the vehicle’s wide stance and low centre of gravity.

Aerodynamics – careful airflow management for fuel efficiency

The aerodynamic efficiency inherent in Verso-S’s streamlined, monoform styling is supported by careful airflow management to reduce cabin noise, improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

The aerodynamic front spoiler has a new L-shaped cross-section to limit and control the flow of air beneath the car. The flat, vertical extremities of the bumper create ‘aero’ corners, which, in conjunction with front and rear wheel spats, correct the airflow over the sides of the car, minimising turbulence in the wheelarches. An integral roof spoiler controls the flow of air away from the rear of the vehicle.

Together these aerodynamic measures help Verso-S achieve a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.298.

Interior Design

Verso-S’s has a long, 2,550mm wheelbase and wide-opening front and rear doors that give access to a spacious, practical and flexible interior. The cabin design focuses not only on ergonomic performance, but also a high level of perceived quality and visual and tactile appeal.

The precise, clean lines of the exterior are reflected in the design of the dashboard, which is divided into upper and lower zones to reduce its perceived mass.

The upper instrument panel and the shoulder section of the front door panels are covered in soft-touch materials and a new geometric grain pattern is used from the instrument panel and upper door trim. The instrument cluster, bright silver-finished centre console and air vents are trimmed with brushed metal-finish surrounds that add further to the overall impression of quality.

The instrument cluster has three dials with a large central speedometer. It includes a multi-information display that shows data including average and instantaneous fuel consumption and cruising range.

Passenger Accommodation – maximum interior space and one-touch seat folding

Every element of Verso-S’s interior design has been streamlined to maximise space, without compromising sturdiness or safety.

The attention to detail extends to making the lower part of the door trims thinner, so that there is more footspace when getting in and out of the car. The slim, WIL (whiplash injury lessening) front seats have a new inner frame design and afford top-class knee room for rear seat passengers. Up front, there a class-leading 120mm of headroom for the front passenger.

Raised front (620mm) and rear hip points give good visibility and easy access. Driver comfort is supported by 60mm of seat height adjustment, an armrest and a gear lever positioned as close as possible to the steering wheel.

The rear seats are divided 60:40 and feature a central armrest and a one-touch fold-flat mechanism. Verso-S is the only model in its segment in which the rear seats can be folded down from the cargo area, using tilt down levers fitted on each side of the loadspace, within easy reach of the tailgate.

Loadspace – dual-level deck board for flexible load capacity

The top-hinged tailgate cuts into the rear bumper to give lip-free access to the loadspace. The load floor is 760mm long (with the rear seats in place) and is fitted as standard with a lightweight deck board that can be set at two levels. It can be positioned at bumper level to give a flat floor and 336 litres of cargo space, or can be lowered – a one-handed job – to increase load depth by 120mm and volume by 57 litres.

On T Spirit models, which come with a tyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel, removing the deck board altogether opens up the space available in the spare wheel well, further increasing load volume to 429 litres. Fold down all the rear seats a maximum 1,388 litres is available.

Storage – smart and generous

Verso-S boasts a smart array of 19 separate storage compartments. These include bottle and cup holders, generously proportioned front and rear door pockets, a tray beneath the front passenger seat and a three-level dashboard compartment, inside which there is a USB port for connecting portable music players.

GRADES, EQUIPMENT

Two-grade range structure

Verso-S is available in two grades in the UK, TR and T Spirit. In addition to the premium equipment specifications, owners can choose from four option packs to add extra style or advanced features to their car.

Toyota Touch multimedia system

Verso-S is equipped as standard with the Toyota Touch multimedia system, which uses a 6.1-inch, full colour touch screen to give customers a comprehensive interface with the car’s audio and communication functions.

It incorporates operation of the AM/FM radio, CD/MP3 player and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and music streaming. A USB port enables connection of portable music players from which the system can display iPod album cover art. Real-time images from the rear view camera are also displayed on the screen when the driver selects reverse gear, for easier and safer manoeuvring in tight spaces.

The Bluetooth hands-free system can register up to five mobile phones, log and edit up to 1,000 contacts per handset by automatic transfer and display an in-car call history. It can also be used for audio streaming. The AM/FM radio functions include a one-click display of every station available.

The system also has a trip information screen giving details of journey time, distance and fuel economy performance, including journey-by-journey comparison records.

In the future, a broad base of hi-tech functions will be added to the system’s options, including DAB-compatible digital radio reception and a Navigation Pack (details below).

Toyota Touch & Go

The Verso-S’s multimedia package can be upgraded to Toyota Touch & Go. This introduces a high value satellite navigation system that comes with all the most popular sat-nav functions, plus the potential for more advanced features and applications, accessed via Google.

The new system not only offers drivers the usual choice of fastest or shortest routes to their destination, but also the one with the least environmental impact. An ‘Ecological’ route option has been designed to minimise emissions and fuel consumption over the course of a journey.

By means of a compatible mobile phone, owners will also be able connect on-board to Google Local Search, the world’s largest and most up-to-date search database. Using Google Maps, a destination can be entered into the system from home of office, with the owner’s mobile phone serving as a modem to transfer the information automatically.

When searching for POI, the system connects to Google via the user’s mobile phone. Typing in a search word will generate matching locations downloaded from the internet, which can then be entered as destinations in the navigation system.

Connectivity with a mobile phone enables the owner’s phone book to be used as a source of addresses to set as destinations. People can also manage their SMS messages through the system, reading messages and sending replies with customisable templates. The system will also display any contact pictures stored on the telephone.

Toyota is introducing an applications facility, further extending the system’s capabilities. Initially three applications are available, providing local fuel prices and directions to the relevant filling stations, daily weather forecasts and parking spaces available in the local area. More applications will be rolled out via a dedicated Toyota customer web portal.

The system has been designed to be flexible and affordable and it can easily be updated with new functions as they become available, with no need to upgrade the multimedia base unit. Options will include 3D map viewing and map and software updates.

Option packs

Verso-S owners are offered two option packs to add extra style and convenience to their vehicle.

The Style Pack provides extra side and rear chrome trim, plus a chrome finisher for the exhaust tailpipe.

The Protection Pack comprises rear parking sensors, a boot liner and scuff plates. In addition, TR models can be upgraded with optional 15-inch alloy wheels.

DRIVING PERFORMANCE

  • Lightest car in class
  • Toyota Optimal Drive 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine
  • Choice of six-speed manual transmission or Multidrive S CVT
  • Low noise and vibration levels
  • Extensive active and passive safety features

Verso-S is powered by Toyota’s 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine, matched as standard to a six-speed manual transmission or the optional Multidrive S continuously variable transmission (CVT). This system, the first of its kind in the B-MPV market, includes a seven-step sequential mode operated using paddle shifts.

Benefiting from Toyota Optimal Drive technologies, this Euro 5-compliant powertrain has a lightweight compact design, high combustion efficiency and components optimised for low friction and light weight. Verso-S is also the lightest car in its class, thanks to comprehensive weight saving measures. These qualities, combined with an aerodynamically efficient design (Cd 0.298), help deliver class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

Weight saving measures

Verso-S is the lightest car in its segment, with a kerb weight of 1,070kg. Weight-saving has been taken into account in every aspect of its construction to reduce fuel consumption. Notably 45 per cent of the car’s bodyshell is made from lighter, high-tensile steel.

Fabricating the wiring loom from aluminium realises a 30 per cent weight saving compared to a traditional copper harness. In the cabin, front and rear seats are about 11 per cent lighter than in other, comparable Toyota models, and in the loadspace the deck board has been made from kenaf, an environmentally efficient plant-based material.

The panoramic roof featured on the Verso-S T Spirit is resin bonded to the bodyshell, which saves more weight, to the extent the car weighs only 10kg more than the TR with a conventional roof.

1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine

The 1.33-litre petrol engine is equipped with dual VVT-i (variable valve timing – intelligent) and EGR (exhaust gas recirculation), and runs with a remarkably high 11.5:1 compression ratio. It generates 98bhp (73kW) at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 125Nm at 4,000rpm, giving strong dynamic performance with class-leading fuel economy of 51.4mpg and 127g/km CO2 emissions (six-speed manual).

The engine is lightweight and compact, with a small bore and long stroke, giving a very high power-to-weight ratio. It features a resin-type cylinder head cover and intake manifold, and the intake channel has been streamlined to optimise airflow for better combustion efficiency.

Using camshaft roller rocker arms, a very compact oil pump and an auxiliary belt with fewer ribs helps minimise engine friction losses and thus improves fuel economy. Control of the dual VVT-i and EGR systems has been integrated, further enhancing combustion performance.

Dual VVT-i helps boost response across the entire rev range by varying the air-fuel intake and exhaust valve timing to suit conditions at any given time. As well as improving torque at low and medium engine speeds, the system also reduces emissions and improves fuel efficiency by 2.7 per cent compared to VVT-i.

EGR reintroduces precise amounts of cooled exhaust gas into the intake system. This not only reduces engine pumping losses through a reduction in intake vacuum pressure, it also lowers the engine’s operating temperatures by 40°C, minimising situations where fuel enrichment is needed to protect the catalytic converter from overheating damage. This further improves overall fuel economy by 2.4 per cent.