THE new Toyota Corolla Verso has achieved the highest possible five-star rating for passenger crash protection in Euro NCAP testing. The seven-seat Verso, which went on sale in the UK on May 1, emulated the performance of the Toyota Avensis by setting the highest points score in its class. It also performed strongly in the new child protection testing, with an equal best-in-class four-star rating.

Safety was a prime concern for Toyota designers and engineers in the development of the Corolla Verso. Their "Total Safety" approach to provide the most effective, active and passive safety equipment has been fully recognised by the Euro NCAP results.

Features unique to the Corolla Verso in its class include an 18-litre driver's knee airbag, the efficiency of which was well-proven by the Euro NCAP tests. Toyota has developed the technology of the system to achieve a 40% load reduction on the driver's knees in the event of a frontal impact similar to the official test.

The knee airbag is one of nine airbags fitted as standard to all Corolla Verso models. Driver and passenger front airbags have dual-stage inflators, combined with a seat position sensor on the driver's side and a front impact severity sensor mounted behind the front bumper.

Thierry Dombreval, Toyota Motor Marketing Europe's senior vice president sales and after sales, said: "The five-star rating achieved by the Toyota Corolla Verso in the Euro NCAP tests demonstrates our strong commitment towards making cars that are not only more rewarding to drive, but are also safer.