Toyota Australia says the next Hiace light commercial van is “expected” to achieve a five-star safety rating.
If it does, the Hiace will join other five-star vans like the Mercedes-Benz Vito, the Ford Transit Custom, and will surpass the four-star LDV G10, Volkswagen’s Transporter and Caddy, Renault Kangoo and Hyundai iLoad.
The current Hiace which sits on a 15-year-old platform will be superseded by a new sixth-generation model in mid-2019, offering two seats and both long- and super-long wheelbase variants for the load-hauling fleet and small business buyers.
Those carrying people will opt for the 12-seat super-long wheelbase or the five-seat long-wheelbase.
A semi-bonneted design will carry over from the current version, allowing maximum carrying capacity while keeping access to the engine bay for servicing.
Beneath that bonnet will be two new engines; a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel or a 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol, with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions optionable
LWB customers will have the advantage of 6.2 cubic metres of stowage, or a massive 9.3 metres for SLWB buyers, while clever engineering sees Hiace increasing in internal width by only 215mm and height by only 5mm without altering the overall exterior’s dimensions.
Two-seat versions will accommodating Australian standard 1165mm x 1165mm pallets through wider sliding side doors than the current model.
Toyota Australia vice president sales and marketing Sean Hanley says the new model carries a great weight on its shoulders, literally and metaphorically.
“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,” he says.
“We anticipate even better whole-of-life costs with excellent reliability and resale value along with minimal downtime and affordable maintenance,” Hanley explains.
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