Twice at the MPV top
Is the MPV dead? In Europe perhaps almost, but far beyond our corner of the world, the body style is still very much alive. Just look at what Toyota is up to in the MPV field. Today we are introduced to yet another two new space giants from the brand. These are the new Toyota Alphard and Vellfire.
Like several other major car manufacturers, Toyota fully adapts its model range to the market in which it operates. Those who want a spacious Toyota can go to the ‘far-Toyota-de’ Stellantis products such as the ProAce and ProAce City and the Verso versions in the Netherlands. Far beyond the Dutch borders, however, there is a huge number of MPV-like models of the brand. In all shapes and sizes. We call the Noah and Voxy, the Sienna, the HiAce, the Toyota-badged Suzuki Ertiga Rumion, the Avanza, the Veloz, the Sienta, the Calya, the Innova and the Roomy. Even luxury brand Lexus sells an MPV. Today the Japanese are renewing them top spatial duo: the Alphard and the Vellfire. The last of these is the sportier design version of the first.
Toyota Alphard and Velfire.
The Toyota Alphard and Vellfire are just under 5 meters long, have three rows of seats and up to eight seats and do their best to spoil the passengers in the back in particular. According to the manufacturer, you can not only use the spacious pair as a ‘super luxurious mobile office’, but also as a ‘comfortable private room’. The possibilities are apparently endless.
A sea of space.
The MPVs mounted on the GA-K version of Toyota’s TNGA platform family are available with front and all-wheel drive and are currently available with two powertrains. The first is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, the second a 250 hp hybrid powertrain that also includes a 2.5. A plug-in hybrid powertrain will follow later. Fun fact: the two are a maximum of 5 meters long so that the MPVs can use existing automated parking garages in Japan. The Vellfire is the only one also available with a blown 2.4 that replaces the 3.5 V6 of the previous generation.
Toyota.
The Vellfire and Alphard offer 0.5 and 1.0 cm more legroom in the second and third rows and are completely finished on the inside with beautiful material and stitched leather. Against the ceiling you will find what Toyota calls the Super-Long Overhead Console, a large unit that includes outlets for the ventilation system, lighting and the buttons to control the climate control. Are you in the back and want to open a window somewhere in the front? The Super-Long Overhead Console also offers that option. The ballrooms have a sliding door on both sides with – for the first time – a running board that extends automatically. Curtains, awnings and even a large glass roof that you can cover in different parts are all included.
The Toyota Alphard is available in Japan from €34,810. For the Vellfire you tap at least €42,2300. Toyota will produce 8,500 units a month at its Inabe plant in Japan. Of these, 70 percent are expected to be Alphard and 30 percent Vellfire.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl