Toyota launches new Noah, Voxy minivans in Japan [w/videos]

Toyota City, Japan, January 20, 2014―Toyota Motor Corporation announces today the Japanwide launch of the completely redesigned “Voxy” minivan through “Netz” dealers, and the completely redesigned “Noah” minivan through “Toyota Corolla” dealers, with a hybrid model scheduled for release on February 14.

The completely redesigned Voxy and Noah are next-generation spacious minivans that provide the roomy interior needed by families and integrate higher levels of fun, utility and fuel economy.

Due to the box-like body and emotional design, both these models share the design concept “emotional box” and fit within the limited “five number”1 Japanese vehicle dimension requirements. With a powerful design that creates a distinct and alluring impression, the front view of these vehicles presents a dangerously exciting elegance for the Voxy and a striking impression for the Noah. An innovative new flat, low-floor has helped realize a class-leading roomy interior, a non-step design with outstanding ease of ingress and egress for children and the elderly, and a user-friendly cargo space.

On the environmental performance front, a class-first2 full hybrid system (THS II with reduction gear3) achieves exceptional cruising ranges and fuel efficiency for this class, at 23.8 km/L under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s (MLIT) JC08 test cycle. Gasoline engine models also include features such as an idling-stop function and the new Super CVT-i, with its class-leading gear-ratio range, which enable them to achieve class-leading4 fuel efficiency for gasoline engine models at 16.0 km/L under the MLIT JC08 test cycle for two-wheel drive models with idling-stop.

The vehicles come with a range of appealing comfort-enhancing features, including seven-seater models that feature ultra-long sliding Captain Seats with an 810-mm sliding range in the second row―a first for its class4―in a combination with side-sliding mechanism and one-touch folding third-row seats, an Intelligent Parking Assist system with Easy Set that assists with parking by automatically recognizing the location of parking space lines, a wide-angle color backup guide monitor that expands the viewing angle of rear cameras to approximately 180 degrees, a one-touch electric sliding door with dual easy-closing mechanisms, and a wireless charger for charging smartphones and other mobile devices.

Welcab wheelchair-adapted models have undergone substantial improvements including being equipped with a manual forward ramp and other features for wheelchair users. The product line-up has also been expanded and now includes Welcab Friendmatic Seat models with wheelchair storage and support for moving to and from the driver’s seat.

1Japanese license plate designation for vehicles less than 4.7 m in length, 1.7 m in width and 2.0 m in height and with an engine displacement of 2,000 cc or less
21.8-2.0 liter, 7-8-seater minivan with overall height of 1.8 meters or more
3Toyota Hybrid System II
4As of January 2014, Toyota Motor Corporation calculations

Monthly sales target for Japan: 4,600 units (Voxy); 3,400 units (Noah)

Assembly Plant: Fujimatsu Plant, Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices

Vehicle Outline
1. Powerful design that creates a distinct and alluring impression

Exterior
The vehicle bodies convey the roominess of the interior even from the outside.

The Voxy has a thoroughly elegant and intoxicating design with a unique sense of beauty achieved through a double horizontal front grille that connects with the headlights and accentuates the Netz (dealer channel) emblem.

The Noah has a large front grille with integrated low grille and headlight combination that emphasizes the four corners of the front, with a sense of width and thickness to the front view that presents a striking impression for a compact minivan.

The side profile presents a large, sweeping window area through to the third row of seats, with a vivid beltline rising to the rear from a lower front point, which provides both dynamic body qualities and an unparalleled overwhelming sense of openness with its panoramic view.

The Voxy ZS and the Noah Si include aerodynamic specifications that emphasize the exclusive front fender for an impressive front view and a wide body with low center of gravity for a powerful presence.

The Voxy comes in seven body colors including the all-new Blackish Ageha*1 Glass Flake that gives the car a sparkling and intoxicating elegance using Toyota’s first glass flake paint. The Noah also comes in seven body colors, including the all-new Dark Sherry Mica Metallic, which is at once calm and flamboyant.

Interior
A wide and low instrument panel enables easier driving and a more comfortable ride for passengers, providing an exceptionally roomy feeling with great visibility.

While improving upward visibility, the location of gauges and shape of the instrument panel provide expansive forward visibility as well. Excellent side visibility is also achieved through adjustments such as slimmer front pillars, a larger quarter glass and low beltline.

A multi-information display providing a wide range of information, including Eco Driving support, is located at the center of the instrument panel to be shared with passengers. Directional steering-wheel-mounted controls enable easy display changes.

Interior materials and colors have been coordinated to create an overall interior with a sense of comfort, providing a cabin reminiscent of a modern living space.

Interior colors for the Voxy are dark blue and black or orange and black, while colors for the Noah are ivory or dark blue and black.

A wide array of convenient and easy-to-use storage spaces have been created, including a large open tray in front of the front passenger seat that enables easy storage of hand luggage.

2. Innovative flat, low-floor package enables roomy, user-friendly space with outstanding ease of ingress and egress

A transformed body frame from the dash panel backwards, with innovative flat, low-floor design, achieves a class-leading roomy interior, a low, non-step space enabling outstanding ease of ingress and egress, and a user-friendly cargo space.

An extended wheelbase and improved seat shape provide more legroom at knee height in the second and third row seats compared to previous models, with a total of 140 mm more space. The low-floor package has enabled overall height to be reduced to 1,825 mm*2 (25 mm less than previous models), with a class-leading interior cabin height of 1,400 mm (60 mm more than previous models).

Seven-seater models feature an ultra-long sliding Captain Seat in the second row, which is a first for its class. A combination of the new side-sliding mechanism for the second row of seats and thinner-profile, one-touch folding third-row seats creates an ultra-long 810-mm sliding range with exceptional leg room, providing an unprecedented diverse range of seating arrangements.

The sliding door provides a considerably improved 360 mm*2 of height and 805 mm of sliding range. The flat floor surface continues throughout the vehicle, providing outstanding ease of ingress and egress for children and the elderly.

The cargo space floor height is 60 mm lower than previous models to provide 500 mm*2 of height, and the third row of seats can be neatly stored on the right and left, which creates a wide and user-friendly cargo space.

3. Exceptional environmental performance

A 2ZR-FXE 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle combustion engine, evolved and matured from the third-generation Prius, together with a class-first full hybrid system (THS II with reduction gear) achieves outstanding environmental performance for this class, with fuel economy of 23.8 km/L and CO2 emissions of 98 g/km under the MLIT JC08 test cycle. The hybrid battery is located below the front seat, creating a comfortable riding space, huge cargo space and exceptional user friendliness that only a minivan can provide.

Voxy and Noah Minivan Main Specifications (Hybrid variants)

The 2.0-liter 3ZR-FAE engine model uses an improved Valvematic engine with the new Super CVT-i and other features, which enables it to achieve class-leading environmental performance for gasoline engine models, with fuel efficiency of 16.0 km/L and CO2 emissions of 145 g/km under the MLIT JC08 test cycle for two-wheel drive models with idling-stop).

The new Super CVT-i contributes to improved fuel efficiency through a class-leading gear-ratio range with a two-port oil pump system optimizing energy consumption to the driving conditions and an electric oil pump linked with the idling-stop.

Both the 1.8-liter hybrid system model and the 2.0-liter engine model (two-wheel and four-wheel drive*3 models with idling-stop) exceed MLIT’s 2015 fuel economy standards by 20 percent*4. Being certified as having emissions that are 75 percent lower than the 2005 standards under the MLIT’s Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles*5 makes these models eligible for reduced taxes under the Japanese government’s tax system for environment-friendly vehicles.

4. New equipment providing convenience, comfort and peace of mind

Convenience and comfort
New fabric seat covers quickly absorb bad odors and use an ion effect to break them down.

The center console includes a wireless charging area for smartphones and other mobile devices*6.

A one-touch electric sliding door with dual easy-closing mechanisms enables easy automatic opening and closing at the touch of a button rather than by using the door handle. Carrying a Smart Key also enables the door to be unlocked and opened at the press of a button.

A rear window sunshade improves the comfort of rear passengers and side door mirrors open and close automatically in tandem with door locking and unlocking.

Safety and peace of mind
Also available as options are an Intelligent Parking Assist system with Easy Set that detects the location of parking space lines when the gear shift lever is moved to the Reverse position. After the driver pushes the OK button, the system automatically and accurately steers the vehicle into the middle of the parking space. A wide-angle color backup guide monitor expands the viewing angle of rear cameras to approximately 180 degrees.

Automatic High Beams help ensure good forward visibility for the driver by using an interior camera sensor to detect bright light during night-driving and automatically switch from high beam to low beam, while LED headlights provide an improved sense of security with bright lights for night driving.

Drive-start Control, standard on all vehicles, provides an on-screen and auditory warning to the driver and controls the engine or motor output to limit acceleration and mitigate collision damage in the event of irregular gear-stick operation. Standard-equipped hazard lights automatically flash during sudden braking as a signal to warn vehicles in the rear.

5. Comfortable driving

The flat, low-floor package with optimally tuned front suspension and newly developed rear suspension limits wasted vehicle movement and roll when turning, providing a smooth ride with very little shaking and greater driving stability.

Additional under-floor bracing and an increase of approximately 180 spot welds focused on door openings and floor joints has improved body rigidity and ride comfort.

To improve aerodynamic properties and high-speed stability, aero fins have been employed at the rear of the quarter glass windows and on the rear combination lamps, while airflow streamlining fins have been used at optimal locations under the body floor.

Doubled seals at the bottom of the front doors and optimized placement of vibration-controlling materials reduce the level of road noise entering the cabin. Wind noise is also reduced by aerodynamically shaped side door mirrors and optimized front pillar profiles.

Welcabs: Specially equipped vehicles with factory-installed features for the disabled and elderly

Welcab wheelchair-adapted models (ramp type) equipped with a manual forward ramp and custom installed second row of seats provide users with direct wheelchair access to the cabin, while also enabling use as an ordinary vehicle when wheelchair access is not needed. An electric ramp is also available as a manufacturer’s option on some models. The Welcab has undergone substantial improvements including a wider and higher back door opening to make it compatible with a wide variety of wheelchairs.

A new Welcab Friendmatic Seat model supports moving to and from the driver’s seat, together with electronically controlled storage for the wheelchair.

A Welcab Side Lift-up Seat model (detachable type) has a second row seat that doubles as a wheelchair, while a new memory function stores forward and backward sliding positions and reclining angles during seat storage.

Both the Lift-up Front Passenger Seat model with seat that slides down and to the outside of the vehicle, and the standard Side Lift-up Seat model, also have a new memory function that stores the height of the lowered seat, and forward and backward sliding positions and reclining angles when storing the seat.

*1Japanese for citrus swallowtail butterfly
*2Two-wheel-drive vehicles only
*31,660 kg or more four-wheel drive models with idling-stop function exceed MLIT’s 2015 fuel economy standards by 20 percent, while 1,650 kg or less four-wheel drive models with idling-stop function exceed MLIT’s 2015 fuel economy standards by 10 percent
*4Specified under the Japanese Act on the Rational Use of Energy
*5Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Approval System for Low-Emission Vehicles
*6Able to be used for smartphones, cell phones, digital cameras and other devices that support the Qi charging standard