Toyota has launched the second-generation Ipsum in Japan in a
bid to claw back market share in the domestic minivan
market.
Hit by successful introductions by key rivals, notably
Honda, Toyota's share of the three-seating-row minivan market in
Japan has dropped to about 35% from close to 60% in 1997. The
Ipsum's task is claw back some of that lost ground at home by
pulling in 5,000 customers per month and to mount a challenge in
Europe. Exports start this summer.
The first full redesign of the Ipsum since 1996 follows a
familiar trend of up-sizing. The new model is 12cm longer than its
predecessor with 19cm of additional cabin length to allow seven
adults a little more leg room. This change brings the Ipsum into
head-to-head conflict with the Honda Odyssey.
Toyota claims the Ipsum is more manouverable than its arch-rival,
offering a turning circle of 5.5 metres compared with the Honda's
5.7 metres.
There's a bigger engine to match the bigger frame. A 2.4-liter
four-cylinder BEAMS engine (2AZ-FE type) with variable valve timing
delivers 160ps at 5,600rpm and 22.5kg-m of torque at 4,000rpm. The
engine drives through a 'Super ECT' four-speed electronically
controlled automatic transmission.
Two-wheel-drive models can travel 12km on one liter of petrol in
mixed cycle tests - one kilmetre per liter better than the Odyssey.
Four-wheel-drive models manage 11km.
Although the new Ipsum is bigger and better equipped than the
outgoing car, prices are unchanged. The range starts at Y2.04
million (US$16,720) for the two-wheel-drive 240e model topping out
at Y2.83 million (US$23,195) for the 4x4 240 G Selection grade.
Buyers can choose between six- and seven-seat versions or go for
a 'Welcab' version featuring a swing-out front passenger seat and
rear wheelchair access, an increasingly familiar package on Japanese
vehicles these days as the population ages.
Standard models cater well to older people, too. The hip point of
the front seats is 670mm above the ground, making access and egress
relatively painless. The rear two rows of seats are set even higher.
The Ipsum's prime market is expected to be people in their 30s
and 40s with children so safety is an important selling point. The
new Ipsum is equipped with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD),
anti-lock brakes, vehicle skid control (VSC) and traction control.
The body is built to Toyota's own 'GOA' standards and there are SRS
seatbelts all round.
One clever touch is a blind corner monitor. At speeds under 6km/h
a camera mounted on the radiator grille monitors the view to left
and right giving the driver a clear view at blind crossings.
A yaw control mechanism to minimizes body roll, a common problem
in heavily laden MPVs. Passenger comfort is also enhanced by a newly
developed electronically controlled suspension system called 'TEMS'.
When the vehicle corners, accelerates or decelerates, TEMS instantly
adjusts the shock aborbers to any one of 16 settings for best
effect.
The driver can interact with the system, using a switch on the
instrument panel to select one of four basic settings according to
ho heavily the vehicle is loaded.
Entertainment options also rank high in this market and the Ipsum
offers an integrated satellite navigation/DVD screen and a choice of
three audio systems.
Toyota believes the new Ipsum can boss the Japanese minivan
market, beating the Nissan Presage, Mitsubishi Chariot Grandis and
Mazda MPV as well as the Odyssey. Toyota's renewed assault on the
minivan market will be strengthened next week by the release of the
Ipsum's little brother, the Corolla Spacio.
TOYOTA IPSUM SPCIFICATIONS
Length 4,650-4,670mm
Width 1,660-1,680mm
Wheelbase 2,825mm
Cabin length 2,755mm
Seating capacity 6-7 passengers
Dry weight 1,480-1,580kg
Front track 1,505mm
Rear track 1,500mm
Turning circle 5.5m
Ground clearance 150mm
Engine 2AZ-FE VVT-i four-cyl transverse
Displacement 2,362cc
Power 160ps (115kW) @ 5,600rpm
Torque 22.5kg-m (221Nm) @ 4,000rpm
Bore x stroke 88.5 x 96.0mm
Fuel efficiency 12km/liter (2wd); 11km/liter (4wd)
Fuel capacity 60 liters
Prices Y2,050,000-2,830,000 (US$16,720-23,195)
Transmission Super ECT 4-speed automatic
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