Toyota Verso Upgraded for 2015 with new Trend Plus Model.

• Toyota’s compact MPV gains new Trend Plus grade for 2015, with twin rear-seat DVD system and leather upholstery as standard
• Toyota Touch 2 with Go touchscreen-controlled multimedia and navigation system now provided as standard on Trend, Trend Plus and Excel models
• All Verso engines comply with Euro 6 emissions standards
• Revised range on sale now, priced from £17,770 for the five-seat Active model. Seven-seat models priced from £18,300.

With its multitude of seating and storage configurations, the Toyota Verso has never wanted for variety, but the choice available to customers has been made even greater with the compact MPV gaining a new Trend Plus grade.

Its credentials as ideal family transport are strengthened by the addition of a rear seat DVD entertainment system as standard. The package includes neatly integrated seatback mounts with dual monitors for independent DVD playback, or, with appropriate accessories, computer gaming. Two wireless headsets are also provided. Customers can choose to add optional, powered iPad holders.

Recognising the popularity of sophisticated in-car entertainment, Toyota is also offering the system as an option on Icon, Trend and Excel models in a variety of configurations, including permutations of master and slave DVD screens and single or double iPad docks.

Trend Plus models further benefit from leather upholstery for the front and second row seats and from the Toyota Touch 2 with Go touchscreen-controlled multimedia and connectivity system with integrated satellite navigation. The functions include DAB radio; advanced Bluetooth for hands-free phone use and music streaming; access to online functions for enhanced journey planning and information; and a reversing camera.

Other features, shared with the established Trend grade, include new-design 17-inch alloy wheels, front parking sensors, dual-zone air conditioning, rear privacy glass, power windows, seven airbags, front fog lamps and fold-down seatback tables for second row passengers.

All Verso’s powertrains comply with Euro 6 emissions standards. The options are a 1.6-litre petrol Valvematic unit with six-speed manual transmission; 1.8-litre Valvematic petrol with Multidrive S CVT; and 1.6-litre D-4D diesel with six-speed manual gearbox.

Further new features include a new design seven-spoke 16-inch alloy wheel design for Icon models and a new Tidal Blue metallic paint option. A space saver spare wheel is now standard on all Verso modes, except those specified with an optional panoramic roof.

The 2015 Toyota Verso is on sale now, priced from £17,770 for the five-seat Active model. Seven-seat models cost from £18,300 and the Trend Plus models start at £24,650

Business Edition grade introduced to the RAV4 range for 2015

• Business Edition grade introduced to the RAV4 range for 2015
• Standard features include Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia and navigation package, cruise control, climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and rear-view camera
• Powered by 2.0-litre D-4D engine with front-wheel drive
• On sale now, on-the-road price £23,995
• Equipment specification upgrades for 2015 RAV4 Active and Invincible

Toyota has added a new RAV4 to its famous SUV range, the Business Edition. While the name makes the model’s target market clear, the wealth of equipment features and RAV4’s proven quality and reliability make the newcomer an appealing prospect for a much wider group of customers.

The standard specification is led by Toyota Touch 2 with Go, the latest development of Toyota’s touchscreen-controlled multimedia, connectivity and navigation system. This includes DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, a rear-view camera and access to on-line information and entertainment services, via Toyota’s customer portal.

A comfortable, relaxing drive is supported by cruise control and dual-zone climate control. Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers are provided, together with an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Chrome trim on the front bumper adds a dash of style quality, while inside the cabin the seats are upholstered in smart black Beaumont fabric.

The features are all in addition to the Active grade specification, including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps, power-adjustable door mirrors and a four-speaker audio system with USB and Aux-in connections.

A single version is available, powered by the flexible and efficient 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engine, with six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. Running costs are kept down with official combined cycle fuel consumption at 57.6mpg and 127g/km CO₂ emissions. The Business Edition also secures the lowest insurance group rating in the RAV4 line-up at 25E.

The RAV4 Business Edition is on sale now, price £23,995 on the road – an increment of just £1,500 on the entry level Active model.

Elsewhere in the range, enhancements for 2015 include a fresh chrome finish for the RAV4 Active’s five-spoke 17-inch alloys and the addition of silver front and rear under-runs for the Invincible (these are finished in Pearl White where Pearl White body colour is specified).

New RAV4 owners also now have access to additional equipment options, including heated, leather front seats (Active, Business Edition and Invincible) and Toyota Touch 2 with Go Plus, which adds extra functionality, voice command recognition and thee years of free map updates. The colour choices include a new Deep Titanium metallic.

Toyota revises GT86 and drops the price, quite significantly.

• Revised GT86 coupe with lower entry price and four-model line-up
• New GT86 Primo reduces range entry-point price by more than £2,000 to £22,995
• Introductory offer for Primo of a £500 customer saving, taking start price down to £22,495 for a limited period
• Range also includes new Aero and special edition Giallo models
• GT86 Aero equipped with full body kit, including large rear spoiler; GT86 Giallo finished in exclusive yellow metallic paintwork
• New features include shark fin antenna, carbon-effect dashboard trim and tyre pressure warning system

Toyota’s globally acclaimed GT86 is undergoing its most significant series of changes since launch in 2012. Rest assured, though, that while there’s a new, more extensive range of models on offer, the fundamental performance and handling qualities that define the coupe remain intact: this is still a car that is all about the pure pleasure of driving.

New model range

To make the special rewards of GT86 accessible to an even wider audience, Toyota has created a new UK model range, with a lower entry price and more choice.

All versions retain the original’s winning combination of a front-mounted normally aspirated 2.0-litre “boxer” engine with rear wheel drive, together with a well-balanced chassis with a low centre of gravity.

Likewise, across the board GT86 comes with a smart new shark fin roof antenna, tyre pressure warning system and carbon fibre-effect finish for the instrument panel.

The new starting point is Primo, a pure-bred GT86 that comes with 17-inch alloys, limited-slip differential, aluminium sports pedals, air conditioning, power-folding door mirrors, front fog lamps, twin tailpipes, the Toyota Touch multimedia system, Bluetooth and a new tyre pressure monitoring system. Available exclusively with manual transmission, the new GT86 Primo is available to order now, with customer deliveries from January.

The official on-the-road price for GT86 Primo is £22,995, cutting the cost of getting behind the wheel of a new GT86 by £2,115. Early-bird customers can take advantage of an additional £500 saving on the model, for a limited period.

The classic GT86 remains at the heart of the range. Additional features (compared to the Primo specification) include a rear spoiler, keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, dusk-sensing HID headlights, LED daytime running lights and the option of automatic transmission.

The new GT86 Aero introduces a striking body kit, with large rear spoiler and front, side and rear skirts. The impactful look is topped off with a set of 18-inch OZ Ultraleggera alloy wheels with an anthracite grey finish.

These core models are joined by a new special edition GT86 Giallo which adds extra style with special Giallo Edition black leather seats (heated for the driver and front passenger), a black GT86 side decal, gloss black door mirror housings and vibrant Giallo yellow metallic paintwork. Customers can also add optional single-stripe bonnet, roof and boot decals at no extra cost. Just 86 examples are available for UK customers, each one individually numbered.

Options

Toyota has created a new Carbon Pack, available for all versions of GT86. It adds carbon-effect door mirror covers and rear bumper protection plate, plus rear parking sensors.

Music quality on board can be pumped up with the addition of a JBL Pack, comprising nine speakers and a 440W DSP amplifier.

The Toyota Touch multimedia system can be upgraded to Toyota Touch with Go to provide satellite navigation, controlled using the centrally mounted 6.1-inch touchscreen display.

The GT86 and GT86 Primo can be specified with black or silver twin-line side, bonnet, roof and boot decals, while combination leather and Alcantara seats with front seat heaters are available for the GT86 and GT86 Aero models. Full leather seat upholstery is also available, for all models apart from Giallo.

Prices

On-the-road prices for the full GT86 range are as follows: -

MODEL	TRANSMISSION	ON-THE-ROAD PRICE
GT86 Primo	6MT	£22,995 (£22,495 with introductory £500 customer saving offer)
GT86	6MT	£24,995
GT86	6AT	£25,995
GT86 Aero	6MT	£27,495
GT86 Aero	6AT	£28,495
GT86 Giallo	6MT	£27,495

Options are as follows: -

OPTION	PRICE
Leather and Alcantara seats with front seat heaters	£1,600
Side stripe decals – black or silver	£180
Bonnet, roof and boot decals – black or silver	£200
Carbon Pack	£395
Toyota Touch and Go multimedia system with navigation	£750
JBL Sound Pack	£1,100
Full leather seat upholstery with front seat heaters	£1,600
Metallic paint	£495
Pearlescent paint	£650

Upgrades to style and features for Europes only seven seater Hybrid, that will be the Prius+

New style details, equipment features and colours for Europe’s only seven-seat hybrid

Prius+, Europe’s market-leading seven-seat hybrid MPV, is being re-groomed for 2015 with new styling details, equipment features and colour choices. The first major changes for Prius+ since launch in 2012 give the car a stronger look that takes up Toyota’s latest design cues.

The revised front-end features a new upper grille and a more prominent Toyota badge that extends the forward line of the bonnet. There are new LED headlights, too, which use a cylindrical projector for both high and low beam. Their slim profile and contrasting black and chrome plating give Prius+ a distinctive sharp-eyed appearance.

The lower grille adopts the trapezoid shape that’s a common feature of the latest Toyota models. With a gloss black metallic finish, it adds emphasis to the car’s broad stance. The impression of width is reinforced by a re-working of the bumper corners, given extra emphasis in a flowing form that extends from the headlights to the new air intakes and LED daytime running lights.

At the rear there’s a new combination lamp design with “light guide” treatment and red inner lenses that give the car an individual lighting signature. Following the styling themes adopted at the front, there is a new licence plate trim and bumper with an integrated diffuser.

In Europe, two new body colours will be available: Dark Sherry metallic and Attitude Black mica (details of UK colours will be announced later).

Changes in the cabin include a dark silver metallic finish for the driver’s switchgear and the air conditioning dial control and a chrome finish for the door handles. There are two new chrome-trimmed, slim-line air vents in the centre console and a new 4.2-inch colour TFT information screen, controlled using switchgear on the steering wheel. As well as basic information such as clock, trip indicator, cruising range fuel consumption, the screen also displays the Hybrid System Indicator and Energy monitor – features common to all Toyota hybrids. It also provides a new “Eco Judge” function, designed to help the driver maximise the powertrain’s efficiency, giving a points score for their eco-driving style.

The screen will also mirror the settings for the air conditioning and audio settings, keeping them in the driver’s line of sight when on the move.

The 2015 Prius+ is fitted as standard with the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system, including touchscreen control, Bluetooth and reversing camera. This can be upgraded – Toyota Touch 2 with Go – to provide additional satellite navigation, live traffic information and, via Toyota’s online portal, an expanded range of connected services, text-to-speech function and 3D city modelling with landmark graphics.

The equipment upgrade extends to the availability of electric seat adjustment, a front centre armrest and Intelligent Park Assist. Safety features have also been improved with the introduction of an emergency brake signal, which triggers all side indicators in the event of sudden braking. Hill-start Assist Control is automatically activated when the car detects an uphill gradient.

Toyota has also improved Prius+ ride and handling, making adjustments to the suspension damping force. New sound absorption material has been introduced in the side of the rear compartment to reduce noise intrusion in the cabin. The hybrid powertrain has been upgraded to comply with Euro6 emissions standards.

Full details of the UK model range, specifications and prices will be announced nearer the on sale date.