Revised HiAce on sale

Toyota's HiAce has received a significant update, with Australia's top-selling van and light bus (under 20 seats) now benefitting from a Euro 5 petrol engine, the addition of two new variants and an expanded array of features.

Toyota says the latest iteration of the HiAce's 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces 118kW at 5200rpm and 243Nm at 4000rpm – a gain of 7kW, or 6.3 per cent, and 2Nm, over the previous equivalent.

A range of improvements to engine combustion efficiency and reduced internal engine friction have helped the new petrol engine achieve Euro 5 emissions compliance, while the improvements are also said to offer significantly improved fuel economy – especially when the engine is mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the older four-speed unit.

The new auto sees a direct-drive fourth gear complemented by overdrive fifth and sixth gears. Compared to the standard five-speed manual transmission, the auto adds $2500 to diesel variants and $3000 to petrol variants.

Toyota says the official combined cycle fuel consumption figure has dropped by up to 12.9 per cent for petrol manual models and up to 16.7 per cent on petrol automatics, with the LWB van topping the combined cycle list with an economy of 9.8L/100km.

The petrol automatic SLWB van, meanwhile, has achieved an impressive reduction of up to 19.9 per cent on its urban cycle figure, says Toyota.

Carbon dioxide emissions for the HiAce have dropped significantly, to between 237 and 263g/km from the model's previous best of 274g/km.

Toyota says the existing 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine offers fuel economy as low as 8.0L/100km, and produces 100kW at 3400rpm and 300Nm at 1200rpm.

An ECO light in the HiAce's instrumentation is now included across the range to promote fuel-efficient driving.

An expanded range now sees a five-seater LWB crew van and a 12-seater petrol commuter bus join the existing LWB and SLWB vans.

The crew van features a second row of seating that can be folded forward to provide addition cargo space when required; it comes with double sliding side doors and the option of a new Ink (black) exterior paint scheme.

The 12-seater bus is essentially a no-cost option that sees Toyota modify the existing 14-seater bus. The change then allows the 12-seater to be driven on a standard car licence.

The new HiAce has raised its game in the safety stakes too. The full range now comes equipped with stability control, brake assist, hill-start assist and an emergency stopping signal, in addition to the antilock brakes and driver and front passenger airbags of its predecessor. The LWB models also receive a window in the offside sliding door, improving vision.

Standard features include cruise control, a reversing camera (displayed in an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror), power mirrors and front windows, plus hands-free telephony with voice commands. The front passenger seat, which was previously fixed, now features slide adjustment.

Toyota says pricing for the HiAce range has largely remained unchanged, although diesel LWB vans are now $1000 cheaper and auto petrol models – featuring the new six-speed transmission – are $500 dearer.

Pricing for the new Toyota HiAce line-up is as follows:

PETROL:
LWB van $32,990
SLWB van $40,990
Commuter bus $53,490

DIESEL:
LWB van $35,990
LWB crew van $37,990
SLWB van $44,990
Commuter bus $57,490

OPTIONS:
Automatic (diesel) $2500
Automatic (petrol) $3000
Paint (other than white) $550
Auto door (bus) $900
12-seat bus $0 option (auto petrol only)

According to Toyota's Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Tony Cramb, the expanded range will only broaden the nameplate's appeal.

"The five-seat crew van enables drivers to transport fellow workers during the week and family members at other times," he said.

"Offering a 12-seat bus that can be driven on a standard licence will be much appreciated by tour operators and other users, saving them the cost of doing their own conversion.

"Simultaneous increases in output and fuel economy for the petrol engine, standard fitment of vehicle stability control and other safety features, plus other additional features will ensure the ongoing popularity of HiAce as Australia's best-selling van and top-selling bus."

Toyota's HiAce truly dominates Australia's medium van (2.5-3.5t) and light bus (under 20 seats) segments, gaining market shares in 2014 of 40.5 per cent and 93.7 per cent respectively.

This update will add renewed vigour to a range that, while still maintain a tight grip on its leading market share, was showing its age and coming under increasing pressure from models such as Hyundai's iLoad and Renault's Trafic.