New Toyota HiAce officially revealed

First new Toyota van in 15 years to bring semi-bonnet design, new engines and longer wheelbases, but more length and weight

Full details and images of the first new Toyota HiAce in 15 years have been released just days after official and unofficial images of it were leaked in Thailand and three months after news of its new snub-nose design first broke last November.

Officially confirming it for local release in mid-2019, Toyota Australia says the sixth generation of its top-selling commercial van and bus will bring new engines, longer wheelbases and improved performance, ride, handling, standard specifications and safety.

Indeed, it expects the new Toyota HiAce to achieve a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating – better than the four-star rating awarded in 2011 to the outgoing model first released in 2004 – although cargo space remains virtually unchanged.

Toyota says the shift away from the HiAce’s trademark bluff-nose cab-over-engine design to a semi-bonneted front-end is accompanied by a stiffer frame, more compliant suspension and improved stability, manoeuvrability and straight-line performance.

The all-new HiAce van will again be available in two-seat long (LWB) and super-long wheelbase (SLWB) van configurations, plus the five-seat LWB crew van and 12-seat SLWB Commuter bus.

Under its new protruding bonnet, which should make it significantly easier to service, the new Toyota HiAce will bring two new engines -- a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and a 3.5-litre petrol V6, replacing the old 3.0-litre diesel and 2.7-litre petrol engines.

Apart from being more powerful at 130kW and 207kW, both new engines will be available with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Cargo capacity remains the same, at a maximum of 6.2 (LWB) and 9.3 cubic metres (SLWB), due to longer wheelbases (now 3210 and 3860mm) and 215mm of extra internal width without increasing the overall exterior width (1950mm). Height is virtually unchanged at 1990mm (LWB) and 2280mm (SLWB).

However, Australian homologation documents show that both LWB and SLWB variants will grow by up more than 500mm in length, to 5265mm and 5915mm respectively.

No kerb weight figures have yet been announced, but overall mass also increases commensurately with the HiAce’s increased proportions, with tare masses rising to at least 2055kg (LWB petrol) and 2135kg (LWB diesel), and 2240kg (SLWB petrol) and 2315kg (SLWB diesel). GVM is listed at 3200kg (all V6s), 3300kg (LWB diesel) and 3500kg (SLWB diesel).

No efficiency figures have been announced, but fuel consumption should increase as a result of the extra weight

Toyota says the SLWB two-seat van can swallow Australian standard pallets (1165mm x 1165mm) through its wider sliding side doors.

The bottom edge of the front door is lower and comes with a wider step for easier access, while larger front-door glass and a lower belt line improve visibility.

Toyota says braked towing capacity has been expanded to a maximum of 1900kg on "key variants" -- an improvement of up to 500kg -- but we understand that will only apply to diesel manual LWB versions. Other manual versions will be limited to 1400kg, all automatic versions to 1500kg and unbraked trailer capacity to 400kg.

Apart from its more rigid body structure, Toyota expects new safety technologies like a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection will make the new HiAce its first five-star-safe van.

Other new safety features will include a reversing camera, up to nine airbags (with the addition of side and driver’s knee airbags) and an optional digital rear-view mirror that provides a wide field of view unobstructed by head restraints, occupants or cargo.

Under the body, newly developed MacPherson struts at the front and new rear leaf springs that span an extra 200mm (increasing suspension stroke by 20mm) are claimed to improve handling, stability and ride comfort.

Toyota Australia says a wide range of locally developed Toyota Genuine accessories will be available from launch, and that numerous flat-mount surfaces and anchor points will make specialty conversions easy for body builders.

Toyota Australia vice president sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the all-new Toyota HiAce will meet the safety, comfort and reliability needs of owner-drivers, private drivers, passengers, fleet and corporate users.

"All-new HiAce is the total solution for transporting cargo, tourists, workers and families," he said.

"Beyond expanding the vehicle's core mission as capable, durable and reliable transport, it has now stepped up to deliver the comfort and safety that today's motorists demand for private use.

"Importantly, we anticipate even better whole-of-life costs with excellent reliability and resale value along with minimal downtime and affordable maintenance.

"In addition to being highly capable right off the showroom floor, all-new HiAce has been designed to offer immense flexibility through conversions and customisation to meet varied business and personal needs."

With more than 330,000 sales over five generations, the Toyota HiAce owns the Australian van market. It found 6852 customers in 2018, which was 8.3 per cent fewer than in 2017, but still accounted for 33.9 per cent of the volume-selling 2.5 to 3.5-tonne van segment.

Meantime, the Hyundai iLOAD's share slipped to 21.6 per cent with 4362 sales (down 22.7%), while the Volkswagen Transporter's share increased to 10.4 per cent with 2095 sales (down 4.0%). Right behind were the Renault Trafic (1922), Ford Transit Custom (1880), LDV G10 (1337) and Mercedes-Benz Vito (1320).

New Toyota HiAce officially revealed

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