TOYOTA VERSO SCORES HIGHEST EURO NCAP POINTS

The motor industry has made huge advances in safety in the past few years, but it is Toyota that’s built the safest MPV, according to Euro NCAP’s test results for 2010.

In March last year Toyota’s seven-seat compact people carrier was given the top five-star rating for all-round safety performance by Euro NCAP, the industry’s benchmark testing organisation. Verso also achieved the highest combined percentage scores in each test category of any MPV subjected to the independent crash test and assessment programme.

Specifically, Verso achieved an 89 percent score for adult occupant protection, 75 percent for child occupants, 69 percent for pedestrian impact performance and 86 percent for safety assistance.

The results reflect the tough quality of Verso’s design and construction, including detailed features in the front end that help minimise injury risks to pedestrians – features that are gaining increased importance in Euro NCAP’s testing calculations. By 2012 a minimum 60 per cent score will be required in this category in order to secure an overall five-star rating – a level Verso has already comfortably exceeded. 

All versions of Verso in South Africa except the entry level 1.6 S model are equipped as standard with seven airbags, ISO-fix child seat mounts, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), traction control (TRC), steering-assist Vehicle Stability Control (VSC+) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

STORY BY TOYOTA