2 July 2001: Toyota is to introduce its Avensis Verso medium-upper MPV to Ireland towards the end of the year. The 7-seater, shown first at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, is aimed at the family driver who wants something with more people flexibility than a wagon but with almost-car dimensions and handling. The Avensis will have the lowest roofline in its MPV class as well as having the longest load space.

Specifications and prices for Ireland haven’t yet been released, but in the UK it will have rear air-conditioning as standard. Engine choices will be a 2-litre VVT-i petrol unit or a D4D turbodiesel. The fuel consumption of the petrol engine is rated at almost 33mpg in the combined cycle, while the D4D will return around 44mpg.

The car 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 2,422 litres of luggage volume available (measured to the roof).

In safety terms, the vehicle is aiming for a four-star NCAP rating. UK prices will start at Stg£17,795 on the road

The total market for MPV sales in Europe will mature at around 1.45 million units this year. Much of the growth in recent years has been driven by compact and mini MPVs but the core segment of full sized MPVs still accounts for around 300,000 units a year. Around 300,000 European customers move between MPVs and large family estate cars every year. BB