28 Sep 05
The T180 isn't your regular Corolla Verso. Yes, it still seats seven in comfort and is one of the safest cars on the road - but there are also some special extras.
First off, tinted rear windows and large five-spoke alloys mark it out from the crowd. Then, under the bonnet, is a new 2.2-litre D4-D common-rail diesel engine, good for 175bhp and a not-to-be-sniffed-at 295lb ft of torque. This will propel the T180 to 62mph in just 8.8seconds and onto a top speed of 128mph.
As it's a diesel, the T180 will be kind on your pocket at the pumps, returning a respectable 41.5mpg on the combined cycle. The D4-D engine is also the cleanest diesel engine around, emitting just 178g/km of CO2 and miniscule amounts of harmful NOx gases and diesel particulates. This means that it passes the new ultra-strict Euro IV emissions standards with flying colours.
Some other cars in its class may struggle with as much as 175bhp, but the Corolla Verso's chassis is more than up to the job of putting that amount of power down in a usable manner. In-gear acceleration is also very strong, as the big punch of torque arrives at just 2000rpm to make mincemeat of slower traffic with swift overtaking manoeuvres. The six-speed manual gearbox is smooth-shifting and allows for relaxed high-speed driving.
Being the flagship model, the T180 has the same toys as the otherwise top-spec T-Spirit Corolla Verso - most notably the two screens mounted in the backs of the front seat headrests, which, combined with the dash-mounted DVD player, should keep the back seat passengers happy for quite a while.
