Toyota at the Paris Motor Show

There will be a world debut of the Verso-S, Toyota's new mini-MPV, at the Paris Motor Show.

Toyota claims that that the Verso-S will have the shortest overall length of any B-segment MPV in Europe, but class-leading packaging to go with it. More details will be released at the show, and the car is anticipated for launch in the UK early in 2011.

However, perhaps there are no surprises in the fact that Toyota is making its Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) technology the focus of its stand, reflecting the recent launch of the British-built Auris HSD - the first full hybrid in the C-segment - and European Prius sales passing the 200,000 mark.

There are also now 200 Prius Plug-in Hybrids on the road around the world in selective lease programmes - including 20 in London - paving the way for being marketed globally in 2012.

Toyota's stand at Paris will include the Hybrid Synergy Drive Gallery, an interactive exhibition which charts the company's drive towards sustainable mobility through its development of HSD for use in Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHV), Electric Vehicles (EV) and fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles (FCHV).

The future expansion of HSD technology into other market segments will be represented by the FT-CH Concept, which makes its European debut at the show, Toyota's first proposal for a full hybrid for the small compact car segment.


Keywords: Toyota Verso-S, Toyota FT-CH Concept, Paris Motor Show