New Previa: taking back the futuristic

When Toyota launched their first Previa here, it was very futuristic given the shapes of the other MPVs then available, mostly exemplified by the Mitsubishi Spacewagon and Renault Espace. It had novel features, including where it placed its engine. And it was expensive, as I recall.

It never became a big seller in Ireland, and the later advent of Galaxy and Co took up most of the growth in that segment that followed evenually, though in Northern Europe Previa took about 10% of a market that today represents more than 420,000 sales a year. In fact, I was surprised when Toyota Ireland's sales and marketing director Michael Howe said they were still selling maybe half a dozen a year.

In the next breath, he said he expects to sell 100 of the latest version in 2001.

To who, we might ask? Mostly corporate, as courtesy vehicles for country clubs, for instance. And the odd ABC1 family who like to tour together at the weekend or share a large school run.

There's no doubt but that it looks striking. And it looks big. It IS big. You can have it in 7- or 8-seat configuration (but you must order it whichever way you want ... it's not THAT flexible). Depending on your configuration choice, you'll get individual or bench seats for the second and third rows. The back ones will slide or 'tumble' forward to create luggage space, or they can be taken out.

It has a high degree of sculpting on the front and sides, just to make sure that you know there are aesthetes as well as engineers working in the design team.

In fact, I think it looks very good indeed. There's definite distinction from the rest of the MPV pack, which really stop their styling once they get back as far as the front door. A kickup in the metal over the rear wheels takes away from any possibility of a 'vanny' look, the the car, with a built-in 'cowl' over the back. The car also had strongly tinted windows from the middle seats back, so it is possible to stare at the natives without being stared back at.

The cockpit area is kind of 'Starship Enterprise', with an assymetrical instrument cowl placed slightly towards the centre. It's a digital system but analogue in style. The automatic version has a very small shift handle on the inside of the steering column, and I noticed that it is possible to hit it instead of the indicator stalk when you want to signal a turn. A pear-shaped centre console holds audio, vents and climate controls.

The version on launch day also had the individual seats configuration, and they did hold three of us side by side. But close enough to each other, mind you. If there were just two there, the folded centre seat would make a nice separator and turns into a table.

And one small final quibble: the grab handles, of the hard variety, are fairly close to the heads of the front and doorside middle passengers. A sudden bump might have tall people rubbing their heads. Otherwise the interior is sumptuously laid out and finished, with no less than 18 storage areas for the kind of stuff a family or group will gather on a tour.

Access is good, with wide sliding doors on both sides for the middle and rear occupants. The door design, with its 'hidden' rail, is very tidy, maintaining an uncluttered side view.

The power for the Previa comes from a new 2.4-litre VVTi engine, and there's the promise of a turbodiesel sometime next year - a new area for this particular MPV. The large engine means that it attracts a higher rate of VRT than, for instance, the direct competitor, Renault's Espace. On our introductory drive, the power seemed about adequate more than impressive, but the autobox shifted very smoothly and this can take from the perception of acceleration. The torque curve is nice and wide, with the bulk of pulling power available from just under 2000rpm.

The suspension seems well gathered together, and no real feeling of roll showed itself. And anyway, these are things you don't throw about the place. There's a 'passive steer' characteristic in the rear suspension.

There are the usual safety aids: dual airbags, pretensioned seat belts, and ABS with electronic brake force distribution.

In advance of the turbodiesel, Toyota Ireland have 7-seaters available in Luna and Sol trim levels, and 8-seaters in Luna only. Auto trans is available for all. Price ranges from £32,990-£36,630.

- Brian Byrne.

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