Verso-S: Small, spacious & smart introduction
On sale from February 2011, the new Verso-S marks Toyota's re-entry into the B-MPV market, a segment the company itself created with the Yaris Verso in 1999.
The B-MPV segment has almost tripled in size since 2002. Driven by downsizing, this growth incorporates an increasingly diverse cross-section of customers, many of whom appreciate the interior flexibility and loadspace offered by a Multi-Purpose Vehicle.
Supporting this growth are families switching over from conventional B-segment hatchbacks and, more significantly, empty nesters and seniors downsizing from C-segment cars. For them, a B-MPV is not only a rational purchase essential to making the most of leisure time, but must also offer the levels of space, comfort, equipment and quality they have experienced in a higher segment vehicle.
The smallest vehicle in the segment, Toyota's new B-MPV is less than 4 metres long. This makes it easy to drive in the urban environment. Conversely, meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of its practical, flexible interior design has maximised spaciousness, comfort and perceived quality throughout.
The Verso-S offers front seat headroom, rear seat roominess and luggage capacity to rival that of C-segment cars. Unique to the segment, its 60:40 split rear seats feature a one-touch, fold-flat mechanism operable from within the loadspace. The loadspace itself incorporates a lightweight, dual-level deck board floor for maximum cargo volume flexibility.
Also unique to the B-MPV segment and a Toyota first, a new, 6.1 inch, full colour, touch screen system, Toyota Touch, provides customers with a comprehensive multimedia interface. Standard as from mid grade, it will incorporate AM/FM radio, a CD/MP3 player, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a USB port for the connection of portable music players, a trip information screen and a rear view camera.
As from May 2011, Toyota Touch & Go, a navigation system representing the best value for money on the market, will equip the Verso-S. It includes all the most popular navigation functions, such as advanced traffic coverage, customisable speed limits and speed camera warnings.
Using a compatible mobile phone, via Bluetooth, the system offers on-board connectivity to Google Local Search. Via Google Maps, destinations may be inputted remotely from home or office, and Points of Interest may be downloaded for entry as destinations.
Designed by Toyota, Touch & Go is flexible and affordable. The system can be updated with the newest functions without the need to upgrade the multimedia base unit. A Touch & Go Apps facility will make fuel price, weather and parking space information available later in 2011. Thereafter, new App options will be rolled out, accessible via a web portal.
The lightest and most fuel-efficient vehicle in the B-MPV segment, the new Verso-S offers customers a choice of a 1.33 litre dual VVT-i petrol engine or a 1.4 litre D-4D turbodiesel. Both engines offer class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
The 1.33 litre petrol engine may be equipped with an optional Multidrive, continuously variable transmission (CVT) incorporating a 7-step, sequential paddle shift mode, the first CVT in the segment.