The Euro-spec Verso 1.6 D-4D compact MPV will be the first-ever Toyota vehicle to use a BMW-sourced powerplant, the Japanese automaker has announced. The engine sharing deal is part of a wider-reaching corporate tie-up between Toyota and BMW.
The Verso 1.6 D-4D will use a 1.6L diesel engine supplied by BMW. The oil burner is rated at 111 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque.
Although Toyota will lean on BMW for the Verso’s 1.6L diesel engine, the mill will be hooked to a Toyota gearbox. Toyota will also use its own electronics.
The Verso 1.6 D-4D will be the lone BMW-powered model in the range. The Verso 2.0 D-4D, 1.6 Valvematic and 1.8 Valvematic will use Toyota’s own engine technology.
“At Toyota, we believe that tackling environmental challenges facing our industry will require more than one approach. Hybrid is at the core of our strategy towards sustainable mobility, but we also see a role for clean diesel in Europe,” Didier Leroy, CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, said. “Working together with an industry leader like the BMW Group allows us to benefit from economies of scale to reduce development costs as well as improve our time-to-market.”
Production of the BMW-powered Verso is set to commence in January.
Toyota and BMW are currently working together on several other projects, including the development of a new sports car platform and a production-viable fuel cell system.
Leave a Reply