Toyota Verso-S debuts in Paris

Toyota has presented the new Verso-S model at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, in what marks the return of the Japanese brand to the B-MPV segment, created by Toyota with the launch of the Yaris Verso in 1999.

With less than 4 metres long, the Verso-S is filling a vacant slot on a segment that has tripled in size since 2002, with families switching over from conventional B-segment hatchbacks and empty nesters and seniors downsizing from C-segment cars.

The dimensions make the Verso-S a very manoeuvrable vehicle and suited for the urban driving environment. Toyota worked on the maximization of its spaciousness comfort and quality. In fact, the Verso-S is capable to rival with C-segment cars in terms front seat headroom, rear seat roominess and luggage capacity. Yet, the B-MPV vehicle has the shortest overall length – just 3,990 mm - of any MPV in the European B-segment.

In terms of design the Toyota Verso-S will be recognizable by its clean lines and compact style. The B-MPV features short front and rear overhangs, sweeping coachwork lines and a large panoramic sunroof.

Customers will have two engines available to choose from: a 1.33 litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine or a 1.4 litre D-4D turbodiesel. Both engines are matched with a 6-speed manual transmission and are Euro 5 compliant.

The Verso-S should become class-leader in terms of fuel economy and CO2 emissions thanks to the low friction components, super-lightweight compact design and enhanced combustion efficiency inherent in Toyota Optimal Drive.

Featuring the Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) technology, the 1.33 litre petrol engine has a power output of 99 hp at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 126 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The engine delivers a class-leading fuel economy of 5.5 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 127 g/km.

The petrol engine can also be mated with an optional Multidrive S transmission, which features a manual override, sequential, 7-speed mode operable by either the gearshift lever or steering wheel mounted paddle-shifts.

Employing the very latest piezo-electric technology the 1.4 litre D-4D common rail, intercooled turbodiesel is equipped, as standard, with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). This powertrain boosts 90 hp of power at 3,800 rpm and maximum torque of 205 Nm between 1,800-2,800 rpm. In terms of efficiency, the engine delivers a fuel consumption of 4.3 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 113 g/km.

The 1.4 D-4D diesel can also be fitted with Toyota’s Multimode transmission, which is an automated manual transmission with a fully automatic shift mode and no clutch pedal. Thanks to it drivers have a choice between two, fully automatic gear change modes or a manual, sequential gear change with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

The Toyota Verso-S is set to reach the markets in January 2011.