Celebrations for Toyota’s Coaster

New model imminent as sales pass 20,000 over 40 years

The venerable Toyota Coaster first went on sale in Australia in 1977 and since then the mighty little bus has transported people for all manner of organisations racking up over 20,000 sales.

Now, Toyota has announced that a new Coaster will be launched in April.

Toyota says the Coaster will get a complete styling and safety redesign with the upgrade.

On the table is enhanced safety with the introduction of airbags for the driver and front-passenger seats, and a stronger frame that improves body structure and rigidity.

The upcoming Coaster also features new exterior and interior designs, a more spacious cabin, larger doorsteps for easier entry and exit, and an additional passenger seat - bringing the total to 22.

Toyota Australia's executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the redesigned Coaster will enhance the vehicle's appeal as a capable transporter.

"Coaster's new frame, greater use of high-tensile steel, a revised suspension set-up and twin airbags all contribute to outstanding safety," Mr Cramb said.

"The new exterior design is simple and modern while offering the tough characteristics required for Coaster's use in a variety of conditions," he said.

"Inside, Coaster is quieter and more comfortable with a taller and wider cabin and a revamped cockpit that is more driver-focused while offering better visibility."

Coaster comes in two grades, Standard and Deluxe, equipped with reversing camera, satellite navigation, air-conditioning and a 95-litre fuel tank. Deluxe models gain a sliding central door instead of the Standard grade's folding door.

Coaster is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 4.0-litre direct-injection turbo-diesel engine that meets Euro 5 emissions regulations.

It delivers 110kW of power at 2700rpm and 397Nm of torque at 1800rpm. The updated Coaster will offer an auto (for the first time) on the STD grade and delete the low-selling manual version of the DLX. This will make the DLX exclusively auto in the future.

The Coaster bus range is covered by Toyota Service Advantage capped-price servicing at $360 a service for three years.

More details of the redesigned Coaster bus, including pricing, will be announced closer to the launch.

CURRENT PRICES

STD manual $116,690

DLX manual $120,770

DLX auto $127,910

Celebrations for Toyota’s Coaster

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