Toyota Verso

The Toyota Verso is a compact MPV and it is in the international markets since 2009. Toyota Verso would be a tough competition for the Maruti Ertiga and Honda Mobilio. The Ertiga has been in the game for many years now and with time it has started looking outdated. On the other hand, the Honda Mobilio is just launched but as we all know that it is based on the platform of the Honda Brio and Honda Amaze, it also looks pretty much similar to them. It is a new vehicle but it just doesn’t feel to be one, if you ignore the size. Now, Toyota has an edge here. The Verso is something which we haven’t seen before in the Indian market. Toyota has Innova but it did not copy the looks of Innova and put it on some other car. The Verso is brand new for the Indians and would really be appreciated by us all.

Another good feature about the Verso is that Toyota had joined hands with the German auto maker, BMW, and it is the first company to power its compact MUV with a 1.4 litre D 4D diesel engine manufactured by BMW. For most of us, this fact is also an attractive point. This makes it sure that the Toyota Verso not only looks better but it will also perform better than the rest of the players of the segment. If you put all the three vehicles side by side and ask anyone to pick one, just based on the looks of the car, then it would be the Verso which would be picked up. It has that dynamic and new modern look which the Ertiga and the Mobilio lacks.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga did well when it was launched and it sold in great numbers. It was a middle class family’s Innova. That was its impression. Honda Mobilio is a good MPV. It will attract buyers and they will be nothing less than satiated but the looks of the Mobilio are outdated. Toyota Verso, which hasn’t been launched yet, will definitely shatter its competition. Toyota has got a great weapon with itself right now. It now depends on how the Japs uses it. If Toyota manages to price the Verso with a mouth-watering price tag then it is going to whip the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Honda Mobilio. We do not know what Toyota is waiting for. Come on, Toyota. Do what you need to do!

The Senior Managing Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation and the President of (TME) Toyota Motor Europe Didier Leroy said, ‘’our team believes in working to challenge the massive environmental impact, and to do this we are keen to use Hybrid technology required to push clean and green technology. Partnering with a pioneering figure like BMW enables our team to benefit in terms of sustainable economies to minimize costs and improve market conditions.’’

The Research and Development (R and D) unit is the companies established (ETC) European Technical Center in the European city of Belgium, and this is where the potent 1.6 liter D 4D Verso engine is built. The company conducted extensive clinical trials with this engine to ensure that the engine blends in with the electronics and transmission facilities of the car. The interior dynamics in terms of comfort and quality was retained. The insertion of the engine into Toyota Versa required lots of adjustments in terms of inserting a stop or start system to improve fuel economy and minimize emissions, fresh gear box equipment, dual mass flywheel, engine mounts and various other fresh components. The production process of Verso 1.6 liter D 4D will commence in 2014 January at the reputed Toyota Motor unit in Turkey.

Toyota plans to focus on the following advanced technologies with BMW group such as Co-Develop a fuel cell unit. Carry out extensive feasibility study required for the insertion of BMW power train into Toyota Versa. Work towards developing aerodynamic vehicle technologies, and conduct widespread research on lithium ion batteries, and lastly carry out collaborated research on lithium ion technologies.

Toyota Verso is branded with the best family car status. The piano black polish on number plate, glossy chrome insertions on lower and upper grille, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights and LED type of daytime running lights heightens the style quotient of the car.

Verso is rolled out in five door five seat and five door seven seat variant, one glance at the car and the aftermath effect is a shocking one. The length measurement of the car is 4460mm, and the interiors are packed with state-of-the art technologies with a Toyota touch and go system, automatic air conditioning, electrochromatic back view mirror, back window sunshade, three spoke leather steering and smart entry and start system.

Verso is also garnished with advanced safety features such as Vehicle Stability Control Plus, Whiplash Injury lessening seats, Pre-tensioners and force limiters, ISOFIX seat fixing, Supplemental Restraint System with seven airbags, Hill-start Assist Control, and ABD with EBS.

Toyota Verso has all the attributes of a family car, and is filled with unique and novel technologies. Now with the insertion of a fiery 1.6 liter BMW diesel engine, imagine the supreme tech symbol of the car. The most interesting aspect of this new research is Toyota’s aim to emphasize on lithium ion green technologies and two luxury brands now meet to unveil cutting-edge hybrid technology.

The car retains its ‘dual zone’ styling with a full length character line. A complete series of innovations has been applied to the overall features of the car, most prominent changes being applied to the front-rear of the car. The bumper of the car is fresh, which incorporates a large trapezoidal grille. A smaller upper grille is present between the narrow headlights which dons LED DRLs. The Toyota badge of the car is highlighted on the lower part of the bonnet. The glossy and large lower grille is painted black and is bordered with fog lights. The car also has smaller folding door mirrors having indicators. There are two options, 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels. A low level diffuser is found in the rear end.

The interiors of Verso are also worked upon to give a more luxurious feel. The interiors are finished with a new satin black paint. A soft touch material is used for upper glove box and high quality leather is used on the steering wheel, armrests and door trims. Instrument surrounds, air vents, instrument panel, etc are highlighted with satin chrome trim. An easy flat-7 seating system is available with 32 different and innovative seating combinations. The luggage space is highly adjustable allowing an increase upto 440 L from the existing 155 L. Verso also has an option of a full length panoramic roof which increases cabin light and sense of space.

Coming to the enhancement in the engine specifications, the car is provided with 2.0 L D-4D diesel option. The engine ensures better torque delivery with less engine noise. The engine also allows a considerable decrease in CO2 emissions by 10g/km. The 2.2-L D-CAT diesel engine is available with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The manual variant produces 131kW with 159g/km while the automatic version produces 110kW with a CO2 emissions figure of 178g/km. Both the 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre variants are available with a 6-speed manual transmission while the 1.8-litre is available with a revised Multi-drive CVT transmission. The diesel powered variants’ towing capacities have been increased from 200kg to 1 500kg.

The Verso provides a very convenient ride due to the stability and ride comfort. The improvements in the car have made driving more controllable and handling agile. There is a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension for further ease in driving. The series of enhancements has also allowed minimization of engine noise, thus increasing the level of comfort for the passengers.

All the improvements in the features of the car allow it to earn a good 7/10.