Toyota’s HiAce has undergone its biggest transformation yet, and given the model first saw service in 1966 – that’s a 51-year history for those counting – is now in its sixth generation.
In our last issue we took you through the complete range offering, which includes the carryover models as well as the new models. We’re going to assume you know all about the carryover models, so we’re looking at what Toyota is predicting to be the most popular of the working models – the ZR glass van with two seats and the automatic six speed transmission.
Some have sad there’s only so much you can do with a box on wheels, but Toyota’s certainly pushed the boat out with the
new HiAce. In the first instance, the additional three feet of metal out the front is the most visually dramatic consideration.
The semi-bonnet design answers the requirement for safety and compliance, as well as ensured greater comfort for the in-cabin operator. The engine – formerly housed under the seats – is now pushed forward of the front axle, which improves the sound, temperature and handling of the nation’s most prolific vans. Yes, the engine in the new generation is smaller in displacement, but power is up by 30 percent to 130kW and torque is up a whopping 40 to 50 percent at 420 to 450Nm.
The penalty? There must be one... No, the litres per 100km – according to Toyota anyway – are down from the preceding models, by -six percent in the case of the ZR automatic, which records 8.2 litres per 100km. You know the 2.8 turbo diesel out of the HiLux is there of course, but its more the sense of the engine being there than having to put up with it being in the cabin with you. What is in the cabin with you is Toyota’s Safety Sense suite which includes 10 new safety features, just as you’d find in the Toyota passenger line.
In addition, across the new generation range, you have an automatic limited slip differential, satellite navigation, a height adjustable driver’s seat, seven-inch touchscreen for Bluetooth connectivity, SIRI and Google mobile assistance and of course, voice recognition. New HiAce offers a spacious and comfortable cabin, exactly as you would expect from a cabin where drivers tend to spend a lot of their time.
The new HiAce is a two-seater cabin with walk-through access (sort of) to the business end which has likewise seen a significant amount of change. The additional weight of the new model – 3,300 kg as against 2,800 GVM of the outgoing equivalent has increased the payload from 900kg to 1,030kg and there’s been an increase in braked towing capacity to 1,500kg. Toyota has rationalised the HiAce somewhat. Offering one body width, two body lengths, two body heights and two volume capacities.
In the ZR, there’s an additional 200 litres of very useful space, given the now more cubic cargo area. In fact, its possible to get a standard sheet of gib between the wheel arches loaded through the tail lifting rear door – or smaller cargoes through the twin sliding doors. To drive, the new HiAce is remarkably SUV-like. Most van manufacturers have gone to great lengths to make their vans car like to drive, but given the popularity of the SUV, Toyota does have to be congratulated for making its landmark van so appealing to the modern motorist.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Toyota HiAce ZR
BODY TYPE
Five door van
DRIVE
Rear wheel drive
ENGINE TYPE
4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel
ENGINE CAPACITY
2800cc
MAX POWER 130kW @ 3400rpm
MAX TORQUE 450Nm @ 1600rpm
L/100KM (COMBINED) 7.7 litres
PAYLOAD 1030kgs
C02 EMISSIONS 214
ANCAP RATING 5 star
PRICE
$46,990
