Avensis Verso – A dynamic new contender for the MPV market (2002 Press Release)
• Sleek and stylish addition to core MPV market
• Spacious interior with passenger car driving performance
• Five, six or seven seat options with full luggage space
• Outstanding performance and fuel economy
• Choice of 2.0-litre VVT-i petrol or 2.0-litre common rail diesel engines
• New levels of Toyota quality and durability
The Avensis Verso is a stylish and dynamic new contender in the mainstream, family MPV market. Designed to offer versatile and comfortable seating for up-to seven people, Avensis Verso also offers class leading performance and driving enjoyment. Avensis Verso is an MPV for customers who want spacious interior and good looks; flexible seating and prestige; high performance and low fuel economy. In short, Avensis Verso is an MPV that drives and feels like an executive passenger car.
Advanced technology
The Avensis Verso benefits from Toyota’s advanced technology and intelligent design engineering. It is light but strong, agile but stable with class leading standards of active and passive safety. Avensis Verso is available with a choice of two advanced engines - either a 2.0-litre VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing – intelligent) petrol or the latest 2.0-litre, common rail D4-D turbo
diesel. Both offer high performance, an outstanding driving experience and low fuel consumption. The 2.0-litre VVT-i petrol engine delivers maximum power of 150 DIN hp (110kW) at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 192Nm at 4,000rpm. It will take the Avensis Verso to a maximum speed of 192km/h (M/T) 180 km/h (A/T, where allowed) and will accelerate the car to 100km/h from rest in 11.4 (M/T), 12.1(A/T) seconds. This performance places the petrol-engined Avensis Verso ahead of some turbocharged MPV models from rival carmakers and yet it offers better fuel consumption – just 8.6 (M/T), 8.9 (A/T) litres per 100km on the European combined cycle. The diesel-engined Avensis Verso is also class leading and even more economical – at a remarkable 6.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle. The D4-D engine, developing 116 DIN hp (85kW) at 4,000rpm and 250Nm of torque across 1,800rpm to 3,000rpm gives the car a top speed of 180km/h and 0-100km/h acceleration in 12.5 seconds.
The passenger-car style driving performance of Avensis Verso is achieved not just by the powerful, economical engines. Avensis Verso is also light and rigid with a sophisticated suspension for maximum stability and steering feel. The use of Toyota intelligent technology in design and manufacturing has brought kerb weights down to the lowest in the class (around 1,500kg, depending on model), without compromising safety. Avensis Verso offers outstanding braking performance with the shortest stopping distances of any MPV on the internal AMS test – thanks to 15-inch discs all round anti-lock with brake force distribution as standard and brake assist.
Versatile seating
The dynamic looks of the Avensis Verso reflect a car which is both people carrier and prestige estate wagon. Avensis Verso has the lowest overall height in the mainstream MPV segment (1,675mm) yet still offers a very spacious interior, thanks to low floor height and long wheelbase (2,825mm).
The overall length of Avensis Verso (at 4,650mm) and width (1,760mm) contribute to a stable and comfortable ride with a low centre of gravity. The interior length (3,205mm) is the longest in the class, with ample space for all three rows of seats and passenger luggage. The Avensis Verso can be specified with five, six or seven separate seats in up-to three rows. The six-seater configuration features luxurious ‘Captain’ seats. Seats in the second row slide and like the third row can be folded, tumbled or removed
entirely to create additional load carrying capacity while front seats recline and slide. Second and third row seats can act as tables for family leisure – or to place books and games to help pass those long, dull journeys. Avensis Verso was designed from the outset to offer enough luggage space for all its
passengers. It has a unique underfloor storage area in the boot which offers additional space and security, taking luggage capacity to 282 litres with all three rows of seats installed. With second and third row seats removed, Avensis Verso has a huge 2,422 litres of luggage volume available (measured to the roof).
Class leading safety
Avensis Verso will build on the already excellent record of Toyota Previa in leading the class for active and passive safety. A four-star NCAP rating is the target. Driver and passenger SRS airbag systems are standard equipment along with side airbags. Curtain airbags are available as an option. Three-point seat belts will be fitted in all three seat rows and headrests are standard equipment on all seats. Front seats feature a passive Whiplash Injury Lessening system which will reduce the chances of neck injury during low speed, rear-end collisions. Avensis Verso features a keyless entry system, engine immobiliser and is pre-wired for an approved alarm system. Door locks and bonnet lock feature anti-theft protection.
Quiet and comfortable
Avensis Verso offers outstanding ride comfort and low noise levels – to match and beat many executive passenger cars. A new suspension system has been developed featuring independent MacPherson front struts and a compact, torsion beam rear. Suspension components have been tuned over thousands
of kilometres in European testing to suit local customer demands. Toyota engineers used sophisticated computer analysis to check and suppress noise levels throughout the car.
New quality standards
Avensis Verso is a premium quality car to match and exceed the increasingly high standards demanded by European customers. The interior is finished in soft-touch materials for comfort and durability with either titanium or wood inserts depending on customer preference. The premium quality feel is reinforced by the attention to detail and fit and finish of all components.
Toyota customers, for so long used to some of the most reliable and robust cars in the world, will now benefit from more subtle, more tactile quality messages from Avensis Verso. In this way, Toyota will offer a winning combination of intrinsic and perceived quality.
2003 Toyota Avensis Verso 2.0 VVTi #1