Good reading

Found it here.

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