Verso-S: Small, spacious & smart a space revolution for five

A space revolution for five, the new Toyota Verso-S has been created from the key development concept 'Small, Spacious and Smart'. Showcasing excellent efficiency in space management, the Verso-S combines highly competitive interior roominess with the shortest overall length — just 3990mm — of any MPV in the European B-segment.

It's practical, flexible interior offers passenger accommodation and luggage capacity to rival that of C-segment cars.

Exterior Design

Compact, Urban-friendly Dimensions

Toyota's new Verso-S is instantly recognisable through its compact and appealing exterior styling. In keeping with its urban-friendly dimensions, it features short front and rear overhangs. Yet it is given a sleek appearance by its powerful, sweeping coachwork lines and the surfaces created by the combination of smooth transitions between concave and convex sharp edges.

The sculpted, three-dimensional front is dominated by a wide grille framed by contoured headlamps. The design is complimented by a large lower air intake and highly sculpted fog lamp surrounds integrated within the front bumper extremities to reinforce the car's broad stance and agile handling.

In profile, the A pillar flows seamlessly into the long roofline. A single, crisp character line runs smoothly through the full length of the vehicle. The side glazing with blacked out pillars and a large panoramic sunroof emphasise the maximisation of interior space within the compact bodyshell.

The frameless, panoramic sunroof is one of the largest on the market. Opening from almost directly behind the windscreen head, it measures 1,260mm long by 820mm wide, creating an airy, spacious cabin atmosphere. The entire opening employs UV-cut glass to reduce cabin heat build up through the penetration of ultraviolet rays, and is also equipped with a full-length, power operated roller blind.

To the rear, the wide, top-hinged tailgate is framed by vertically stacked combination lamps and a flat top section rear bumper sculpted to aid cargo loading. The location of secondary lamp clusters within the rear wings emphasises the bumper width, reinforcing the car's low centre of gravity and wide stance.

Aerodynamics — Careful airflow management for fuel efficiency

The aerodynamic efficiency inherent in the Verso-S's streamlined, monoform styling has been further improved through careful airflow management to reduce cabin noise, enhance fuel efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions.

An aerodynamic front spoiler features a newly designed, L-shaped cross-section to limit and control underbody airflow. In conjunction with front and rear wheel spats, the flat, vertical surfaces of the bumper extremities create 'aero' corners which correct the airflow as it passes down the sides of the car, minimising turbulence in the wheel arches. And an integral roof spoiler controls the flow of air away from the rear of the car.

In combination, these aerodynamic measures help the Verso-S achieve a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.297.

Interior Design

Spacious, Practical and Flexible

The new Verso-S has a long, 2,550mm wheelbase. Its wide opening front and rear doors give access to a spacious, practical and flexible interior. The interior design focuses not only on ergonomic excellence, but also on the high perceived quality and visual and tactile appeal demanded by increasingly discerning B-segment customers.

The dashboard shares the precise, clean lines of the exterior bodywork's surfaces. It has been divided into upper and lower zones, reducing its perceived mass.

Reinforcing the quality of the new Verso-S interior, the upper instrument panel and the shoulder area of the front door panels are clad in soft-touch materials, and the instrument panel and upper door trim are finished in a new, geometric grain pattern which changes appearance from differing viewpoints. The instrument cluster, bright silver centre console and air vents are trimmed with crisp, three-dimensional, brushed metal finish surrounds to further enhance the perception of quality.

The functional, easy-to-read instrument cluster features three dials with a large, central speedometer. It houses a multi-information display which will indicate overall average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and possible cruising range.

Passenger Accommodation — Maximum interior space and one-touch seat folding

Sacrificing neither sturdiness nor safety, every element of the new Verso-S interior design has been streamlined to maximise interior space.

The lower part of the door trims has been made thinner to create more foot space on entry and exit. Slim, WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) equipped front seats with a newly designed inner frame provide top-class knee room for rear seat passengers. And the sides of the roof taper sharply upwards to clearly separate them from the headliner, creating a spacious cabin atmosphere with a class-leading 120mm of front passenger headroom.

Raised front (620mm) and rear seating hip point heights offer good visibility and ease of entry and exit. Driver comfort has been further enhanced by the addition of 60mm seat height adjustment, an armrest, and the placing of the gear lever as close to the steering wheel as possible.

The 60:40 split rear seats feature a centre armrest and a one-touch, fold-flat mechanism. Unique to the segment, the rear seats may also be remotely folded from the cargo area, with tilt down levers fitted to both sides of the loadspace side walls within easy reach of the tailgate.

Loadspace — Dual-level deck board for flexible load capacity

The top-hinged tailgate is cut into the Verso-S's rear bumper, giving lip-free access to the loadspace. The 760mm long loadspace floor incorporates a flexible, lightweight, dual-level deck board. This may be positioned at bumper level to give a flat floor throughout and a 336 litre cargo volume, or lowered with one hand to increase the loadspace depth by 120mm and the cargo volume by 57 litres to 393 litres. With the board removed altogether, the spare wheel well is included1 within the loadspace, increasing cargo volume to 429 litres. And with the rear seats folded flat, the total loadspace volume increases to 1,388 litres.

Storage — Smart and generous, with MP3 connectivity

Despite the maximisation of interior roominess, the smart array of storage solutions essential to a family car has not been compromised. The Verso-S has no less than 19 separate storage compartments. These include bottle and cup holders, generous front and rear door pockets, a storage tray under the front passenger seat, and a versatile, three-level, dashboard storage compartment incorporating a USB port for the connection of portable MP3 players.

Toyota Touch Multimedia Interface — Flexible, affordable and upgradeable

Unique to the B-MPV segment and a Toyota first, a new, 6.1 inch, full colour, touch screen multimedia 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 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. In addition, a rear view camera image is displayed on the Toyota Touch screen when reverse gear is engaged, to aid manoeuvrability in confined spaces.

The Bluetooth hands-free system can register up to five mobile phones, log and edit up to 1,000 contacts per phone by automatic transfer, and display an in-car call history. Amongst the AM/FM radio functions is a one-click station list which will display every available radio station.

Toyota Touch also features a trip information screen incorporating comprehensive time, distance and fuel economy information, including instantaneous consumption, a fuel efficiency display and journey-by-journey fuel consumption comparison records.

Taking multimedia technology into the next decade, a broad base of further functions such as a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) compatible digital radio will be added to the list of system options in the future, beginning with a new navigation system, Toyota Touch & Go, in May 2011.

Toyota Touch & Go Satellite Navigation — Google Local Search and App options

Upgrading the system to Touch & Go status equips the Verso-S with a navigation system which represents the best value for money on the market. It includes all the most popular navigation functions, such as advanced traffic coverage, customisable speed limits and speed camera warnings.

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

With a compatible mobile phone, users have on-board connectivity to Google Local Search — the largest and most up-to-date search database in the world.

Via Google Maps, a destination may be sent to Touch & Go from the home or office computer. The information will be automatically transferred — with the owner's mobile phone acting as a modem — to the multimedia system, ready to be set as destination.

When searching for Points of Interest, Toyota Touch & Go connects to Google through the user's mobile phone. Typing in any search word will generate matching locations downloaded from the internet, which may then be entered as destinations in the Touch & Go satellite navigation system.

System connectivity with a mobile phone enables the owner's phone book to be used as a source of addresses to set as destinations. In addition, owners can manage their SMS messages through Touch & Go reading messages and replying with customisable templates. The system will also display any contact pictures stored on the mobile phone.

A Touch & Go Apps facility is planned for later in 2011, to further expand the capabilities of Toyota's new navigation system. Initially, three applications — providing local fuel prices and directions to the relevant filling station, daily weather forecasts, and the availability of parking spaces in the area — will be available. Thereafter, more Apps will be rolled-out via a web portal.

Toyota Touch & Go has been designed specifically to be both flexible and affordable. The system can be readily updated with the newest functions, as they become available, without the need to upgrade the multimedia base unit.

A comprehensive range of Touch & Go options will include 3D map viewing, map updates, and software updates as they become available.

Additional Utility and Comfort Features

A choice of manual or fully automatic air-conditioning systems is available. Both may be equipped with a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater, enabling warm cabin air to be generated quickly, even when the engine is still cold. A fuel burning auxiliary heater is available for diesel engine models, once again boosting cabin warming performance when the engine is cold.2

In addition, a Smart Entry & Start System is available, allowing the driver to lock/unlock the doors and start the engine simply by carrying the key. An automatic anti-glare Electro-Chromic (EC) rear view mirror minimises headlamp dazzle from following traffic.

Grades, Equipment and Trim

A simple, three grade strategy

A simple, three grade strategy offers customers comprehensive equipment specifications throughout the Verso-S range. Even entry grade models feature seven airbags, electric front windows, power steering, a 4 speaker radio/CD/MP3 player with USB port, VSC, ABS, EBD and BA active safety systems and the remote rear seat fold flat system, fitted as standard.

Mid grade models add the flexible loadspace floor, air-conditioning, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, and the new Toyota Touch multimedia interface. High Grade models further add automatic air-conditioning, the Smart Entry & Start System, an EC mirror, dusk & rain sensors, alloy wheels and electric rear windows.

An extensive options list includes a number of Option Packs tailored to enhance on-board comfort and convenience, the Toyota Touch & Go navigation system, full leather seats with driver and front passenger seat heating, and the panoramic sunroof with integral power operated blind.

The Toyota Verso-S will be available with a choice of 15" wheel caps or 16" alloys, and 9 exterior colours, including a new Satin Blue metallic finish. Interior trim is available in a choice of black or beige3 colour schemes with fabric upholstery and high quality black leather on high grade models.