Verso 2014

Starting from a strong base

Launched in 2013, the current Verso was developed exclusively for the European market.

The company's first full-scale project to incorporate European-based Product Planning, Design, RandD and Purchasing from inception, Verso was designed, engineered and built entirely under the leadership of Toyota Motor Europe.

Styled at ED², Toyota's European design centre in France, and with over 470 changed parts (60% visible, 40% related to driving dynamics and NVH), the current Verso represented a comprehensive model mid-lifecycle upgrade for Toyota in Europe.

Tailored to meet the increasingly varied demands of today's MPV customer, the stylish, comfortable and flexible Verso range represents outstanding value for money. Within compact exterior dimensions, it boasts exceptional roominess with one of the best seat couple distances in its class and the true multi-purpose vehicle versatility of the company's Easy Flat seating system.

Since the initial launch of the Verso in 2002, cumulative sales have risen to over 700,000 units. Built exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey, the current Verso has sold some 37,000 units since its launch in 2013, increasing the company's C-MPV segment share to 4.8%.

New 1.6D-4D, new features

The enhanced 2014 Verso features an expanded engine line-up which introduces a new 1.6 litre D-4D turbodiesel. The exterior benefits from a new bronze colour and new, 16" and 17" alloy wheel designs. The interior has been enhanced with new trim and detailing. And the company's range of affordable multimedia systems, Toyota Touch^® 2, has been comprehensively upgraded.

DRIVING PERFORMANCE

• New 112 DIN hp 1.6 litre D-4D turbodiesel offers fast throttle response and linear torque build-up over a wide rev range
• First adoption of Stop & Start system in Verso 
• CO₂ emissions of 119 g/km
• Expanded choice of powertrains: 4 diesel and 2 petrol engines

New 1.6 D-4D

The 2014 Verso features an expanded line-up which introduces a new 1.6 D-4D (Direct injection — 4-stroke Diesel) engine to the range for the first time.

Diesel engine sales continue to dominate the European market in the C-MPV segment, and 1.6 litre variants currently account for over 50% of sales.

The engine for the 1.6 D-4D is sourced from the BMW Group, and is mated to a Toyota 6-speed gearbox. 20 kg lighter than the 2.0 D-4D powerplant, this Euro 5 compliant engine develops 112 DIN hp/82 kW at 4,000 rpm and 270 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,250 rpm. It accelerates the Verso from 0-100 km/h in 12.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 185 km/h.

The engine delivers an 8% improvement in fuel efficiency over the 2.0 D-4D unit, equating to fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100 km in the combined homologation cycle. Simultaneously, CO₂ emissions have reduced from 129 to only 119 g/km.

These figures are supported by the first ever adoption of a Stop & Start system in the Verso range, in accordance with the principles of the Toyota Optimal Drive philosophy.

Several engineering challenges were key to the successful integration of the new 1.6 D-4D engine. All electrical interfaces were redesigned, and a newly-developed dual-mass flywheel was fitted to optimise noise and vibration.

New engine mounts offer particularly low vibration characteristics, especially under Stop & Start operation, minimising Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) and offering quiet running at cruising speeds.

The engine itself has been tuned to deliver a fast throttle response throughout the rev range. It generates good initial response at low rpm, then, as turbo boost develops, provides a linear torque build-up. The availability of torque has also been stretched, so the engine will happily rev beyond 3,000 rpm without running out of breath.

With ride quality already assured on the existing Verso, spring settings have been modified for the new 1.6 D-4D version to replicate the same levels of body control and ride comfort.

The addition of the 1.6 D-4D unit to the model range increases the engine line-up to a choice of 6 powerplants —150 DIN hp and 177 DIN hp versions of the 2.2 D-CAT diesel, a 124 DIN hp 2.0 D-4D diesel, the new 112 DIN hp 1.6 D-4D, and a choice of 1.6, 132 DIN hp and 1.8, 147 DIN hp Valvematic petrol engines.

DESIGN

• Choice of 10 exterior colours, including new Avantgarde Bronze
• New bold 17" alloy wheel with a darker, smoked silver design
• Introduction of 2 new seat upholstery choices: Dark Grey fabric with silver stitching and Light Grey fabric with leather side bolsters
• New Tyre Pressure Warning System and gear shift lever design

The Verso combines the Toyota MPV's trademark, dual-zone styling with the company's Under Priority design language and Keen Look styling elements. A 2013 mid-life redesign has brought an increase in dynamism and desirability to the model range.

2014 Verso

Building on the existing range of 10 exterior colours and 16" and 17" alloy wheels, the 2014 Verso introduces a new Avantgarde Bronze paint, a new 7-spoke 16" alloy wheel and a bold, 5-spoke 17" alloy design with a darker, smoked silver finish.

On board, the 2014 Verso interior features a more tactile gear shift lever design, the addition of a Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS) to the standard equipment list, and the availability of new seat upholstery -a Dark Grey fabric with 3D-effect silver stitching and a Light Grey fabric with leather side bolsters.

MULTIMEDIA

• Unique range of affordable, touch-screen multimedia systems with uprated resolution and expanded functionalities
• Toyota Touch^® 2 with Go combines full map navigation with online services and applications
• Toyota Touch^® 2 with Go Plus with improved voice recognition and new Wi-Fi connectivity
• First mainstream brand to offer Google Street View and Panoramio services

Toyota Touch^® 2

Fitted as standard in the 2014 Verso from Active grade, Toyota Touch^® 2 is an upgraded version of Toyota's affordable touch-screen multimedia system.

Via a 6.1" full colour touch screen interface, it incorporates AM/FM radio with an optional DAB/DAB+/DMB-A receiver, a CD/MP3 player, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with a music streaming facility, and a USB port for the connection of portable music players, with the facility to display iPod album cover art.

A rear view camera is fitted as standard, helping drivers to manoeuvre in confined spaces.

The enhanced Toyota Touch^® 2 system features redesigned screens with a deeper, 3D effect. Image resolution has been increased by a factor of four from 400 x 240 to 800 x 480, giving a much brighter, sharper image.

The screen menu has been expanded to incorporate more vehicle information content, such as air-conditioning settings, and the screen now supports 'drag and flick' control for easy, intuitive operation.

Toyota Touch^® 2 is 'MirrorLink'-ready, which enables users to connect compatible smart phones and then operate them entirely from the system's touch screen.

The optional DAB radio has now been fully integrated, and incorporates an 'FM Link' facility which automatically switches to the corresponding FM station should the DAB signal fail.

Toyota Touch^® 2 with Go

The Toyota Touch^® 2 with Go offers customers an enhanced, full map navigation system which represents the best value for money on the market. The system was developed specifically with European customers in mind.

Available in 20 languages, it includes all the most popular navigation functions, such as customisable speed limits, speed camera warnings, automatic zoom, motorway signposting and junction view at motorway intersections. The map zoom function is now more easily controlled by a simple rotary button.

Advanced traffic coverage, now located on the map itself, takes the form of a 'traffic bar' showing the driver any congestion ahead, and what delay to expect.

Via the Toyota Online function, the system offers on-board connectivity to an expanded range of services including Toyota Real Time Traffic powered by TomTom, Google Street View, Panoramio and Google Local Search —the largest and most up-to-date search database in the world.

Toyota's improved customer portal also allows users to be in contact with their vehicles on line. For instance, via Google Maps, destinations may be input remotely from home or office, and Points of Interest (POI) may be downloaded for entry as destinations.

Further system access to Toyota Online content includes a Touch 2 with Go Apps function which offers several applications, including fuel prices, weather and parking space information.

The installation of Touch 2 with Go also upgrades the multimedia base unit to incorporate a contact person image display.

Toyota Touch^® 2 with Go has been designed specifically to be both affordable and flexible. The system can be easily upgraded with the newest functions, updated maps and the latest Apps, as they become available.

Toyota Touch^® 2 with Go Plus

When upgraded to Touch 2 with Go Plus, the touch-screen multimedia system comes equipped with 3D city models, landmark graphics and a 'text-to-speech' message readout facility.

The system will display emails and calendars depending on Bluetooth mobile phone compatibility. It also features a 'Play More like This' function. This smart music recognition system can automatically provide playlist recommendations to suit your mood a safe and easy way to manage music on the move.

Touch 2 with Go Plus supports Wi-Fi connectivity. Users set up their smartphones as a Wi-Fi hotspot for connection to the system's online functions.

With the number of languages now increased to 15, the Advanced Voice Recognition function has been designed for the simplest possible operation whilst driving. Focusing on three key tasks, it allows the driver to input a full destination, make a phone call, or to pick a specific song from a connected iPod with a single voice command.

Toyota Touch^® & Go Plus includes three years free map and software updating.