By: Samuel Ee

Almost no MPV has ever been elevated to the level of a status symbol, but the Toyota Alphard certainly comes close.

This luxury multi-purpose vehicle, when chauffeur-driven, can be as stylish as a big German sedan in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok. Celebrities and company executives alike usually sit behind its blacked-out windows in a capacious interior that is sometimes retrofitted with a privacy partition and flat-screen TV.

Now, six years after the trend-setting model was first launched, there is a new and bigger version with two variants. The second-generation car is now split into the Alphard and Vellfire lines.

Parallel importer VinCar is one of the first to bring in the new models, both of which have the same basic car body. The Alphard, though, caters to older customers - aged 40 and over - and the exterior styling is more conservative. The Vellfire, which is aimed at younger clients, has funkier two-piece 'stepped' headlamps and tail lights, as well as a sportier front grille.

Cool yet passionate

Vellfire may sound like the title of the latest horror fantasy movie but is actually a combination of 'velvet' and 'fire' ? to emphasise the car's cool yet passionate character. Only someone who understands Jap-glish will comprehend this connection, but thankfully the car itself is easier to relate to.

There is a choice of two new engines to drive the front wheels - a 2.4-litre in-line four-cylinder and a 3.5-litre V6, up from 3 litres previously.

The car sits on a new and larger platform that results in a cabin 75 mm longer and 25 mm wider. But the floor has been lowered so the overall vehicle height is now 1,890 mm - down 45 mm - for better multi-storey carpark access.

The interior has also been redesigned, with the restyled dashboard and centre console sporting more well-defined lines and silver and chrome accents. The meters are especially cool because they look like the dial of a sports watch.
The rear of the car feels even more spacious, with the two captain's chairs in the middle row now having an integrated ottoman because of the one-piece design. A larger, more luxurious seat with a built-in cup-holder is an option.

Ambient lighting

Also new is ambient lighting that emanates from behind the headliner above the electric rear doors.

There are three trim levels for the 2.4-litre model, which starts at $111,988. The Vellfire 2.4 Z is the middle grade and has standard equipment such as a leather and wood steering wheel, bodykit and bigger 18-inch alloy wheels.

The old Alphard 2.4 had a four-speed automatic transmission but the new 2.4 model has a seven-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the 3.5 has a six-speed auto, versus five-speed previously.

Behind the wheel, the big Toyota is still as effortless to drive but it is now smoother, thanks to the CVT. The Vellfire 2.4 also impresses with its well-weighted steering and good all round visibility.

Toyota engineers have also improved the aerodynamics of the car. For example, the rear wiper is concealed in the roof spoiler unlike the older Alphard's glass mounted version.

As a full-sized MPV, the Alphard has always been a comfortable alternative on the road. Now the Vellfire has become even more attractive, with standard equipment such as keyless entry and start system and seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag.

Who says MPVs are only for soccer moms?

Toyota Alphard Vellfire 2.4 Z
Engine: 2,362 cc inline-4
Gearbox: 7-speed CVT
Max power: 170 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max torque: 224 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
0-100 kmh: not available
Top speed: 180 kmh (limited)
Price: $121,988 (with COE)
Distributor: VinCar Pte Ltd. Tel: 6749-1119