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Toyota on Monday unveiled the new generation Hiace designed for overseas market at a world premiere held at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City, Philippines. Built on a special revised platform that not only greatly enhances comfort and safety, but is extremely durable with excellent basic performance, the new generation Hiace is therefore suitable both for customers’ daily lives and for business.
The choice of the Philippines for the world premiere of the All-new Toyota Hiace, according to Toyota, was informed by the position of the country as a primary market for Toyota’s range of iconic vans. Aside from being the preferred family van of the Filipino people, previous generations of the Hiace have also become a common fixture in providing mobility services to both public and private sectors, helping promote education, tourism, healthcare, and more.
In emerging markets, where the automobile market has continued to expand throughout approximately the last decade, demand has risen for passenger transportation including tourist minibuses, private buses, and vehicles for use in logistics. The new Hiace has been developed to be able to flexibly respond to these diverse needs.
Following launch in the Philippines, the new model is to be gradually introduced in other countries and regions, with a focus on emerging markets. The current Hiace model will continue to be sold in Japan as-is, due to the different local market environment.
“The Hiace was developed using the key words of “Hiace Pride,” and from the concept of being a faithful partner that makes people feel safe, satisfied, and proud. Owners, drivers, and passengers know they are in good hands when they own, drive, and ride in a Hiace,” Chief Engineer Takuo Ishikawa, who was responsible for development, said.
Since the launch of the first-generation Hiace in 1967, it has become one of Toyota’s representative global vehicles, with more than 6.24 million units sold in over 150 countries. The Hiace demonstrates prowess through its high durability and reliability, and has been used as a van, a minibus, and as private transportation. Currently, it is largely sold in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Mexico, and Latin America.
Satoru Suzuki, President of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), which co-hosted the launch with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), was quite happy at the choice of the Phillipines, saying, “We, at Toyota Motor Philippines, are honoured to host the World Premiere of the All-New Toyota Hiace. For the first time, the world’s eyes are on the Philippines, to witness the unveiling of the Full Model Change Hiace, never before exhibited elsewhere.”
At the high-profile event, TMC and TMP officially introduced three variants of the All-New Hiace: the GL Grandia Tourer, the GL Grandia, and the Commuter Deluxe. Both the Commuter Deluxe and the GL Grandia will be available for retail in all Toyota dealerships across the country from March 5 while the GL Grandia Tourer will be available in early April.
Redesigned inside and out
There are two key inspirations in the design and engineering of the All-New Hiace. The first is to create a vehicle that increases productivity. The second is to provide safe, comfortable, and reliable transport for people everywhere.
The All-New Hiace has been revamped inside-out to address these goals. At the literal forefront of the refreshed modern look is the new semi-bonnet design, which means that the engine is no longer mounted atop the front wheel axle.
By changing the engine’s position, both driver and passenger can experience better ergonomics, without the heat and vibration emanating underneath their seats. This also results in better serviceability, as the engine becomes easier to access compared to the previous make.
Paired with a highly rigid body, the All-New Hiace offers better riding and driving pleasure that is worth beyond its price point. Hailing from Toyota’s prominent commercial vehicle (CV) heritage, bold but clean character lines sweep through the Hiace horizontally, creating a strong and stable image. For the GL Grandia Tourer variant, the head lamps are complemented by vertical LED Daytime Running Lights and fog lamps in the bumper, while chamfered rear combination lamps add to its three-dimensional presence.
Its spacious cabin space is built for maximized storage, and added features elevate the ownership experience to an unprecedented degree. A powerful and fuel efficient 1GD-FTV 2.8 L engine ensures that the vehicle can traverse any road while carrying any load.
Living up to the Toyota tradition of always making safety a top priority, the All-New Hiace gives its customers peace of mind by reinforcing both passive and active safety. Engineered to relieve the commuting burden from its drivers and passengers, the All-New Hiace’s design cues are inspired by real-world problems to provide modern solutions.
Maximized Space and Guaranteed Comfort
Inside the cabin, satisfaction is guaranteed by the maximized storage capacity and optimized riding comfort. Store anything and everything inside your trusted utility van with its large overhead and console trays, in addition to the ample space beneath the front row seats for the Commuter Deluxe.
A number of improvements have also been adopted by the sixth generation Hiace for easier ingress and egress. There is a noticeably bigger legroom, providing a riding experience enhanced by wider door steps, strategically-positioned assist grips, and illuminated entry system. The plush headrests are making a comeback on the GL variants for their passengers to relax on, while the entire line-up prevents its daily passengers from suffering the usual discomforts of long-haul travels by improving overall suspension. The GL Grandia Tourer, GL Grandia, and Commuter Deluxe comfortably fit a maximum of 14, 12, and 15 people, respectively.
Trusted Performance
The All-New Hiace is powered by a new 1GD-FTV 2.8 L engine that has a high-boost turbocharger, 176 horsepower, intercooler system, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), and Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) that leads to reduced cabin noise by absorbing engine vibrations. It also offers better handling with variable power steering, lighter gear shifting, and a MacPherson strut front suspension system with leaf spring rear suspension. With its new drivetrain, the All-New Hiace is powerful and more fuel efficient than its previous generation—making it a vehicle you can truly rely on.
Advanced Safety Features
Considered a Toyota hallmark feature regardless of vehicle segment, the All-New Hiace is equipped with advanced safety features. The transition from a cab-over design to semi-bonnet additionally increases collision safety. Toyota is also the first manufacturer to include a center seat airbag on a utility van for its front center passengers, for a total of 3 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags for the Commuter Deluxe and 2 SRS airbags for the GL Grandia and GL Grandia Tourer variants.
The All-New Hiace’s GL Grandia and GL Grandia Tourer variants come with Vehicle Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Anti-Lock Brake System, and Emergency Brake Signals. The Commuter Deluxe also has Anti-Lock Brake System and Emergency Brake Signals. Owners, drivers, and passengers alike are offered great peace of mind as both passive and active safety are accounted for in the design of the new generation Hiace.
Continuing the Legacy
Empowering the local population throughout its 25-year presence, the Hiace was first introduced on Philippine shores in 1994 and since then has sold more than 135,650 units. Known and trusted by many Filipinos, the Toyota Hiace is the leading model of the utility van segment with a 55.6% total market share last 2018.
In the Philippines, the Toyota Hiace is a transportation staple that ferries people, moves cargo, and shuttles clients over great distances whether in urban centers or rural countrysides. Apart from bringing families together through precious memories and experiences on the road, the Hiace is also often the platform by which goods and services are built upon. It connects providers to consumers, such in the case of school and company daily shuttles, hotel and airport complimentary transport, as well as local travel and tours for big groups. The flexibility and versatility of the Hiace’s interior space also allow owners to customize it for business purposes.
Toyota said it aims to offer a modern and practical solution with the new generation Hiace—functional made even better.
