Spy shots reveal dramatic redesign of next-gen Toyota Hiace

MANILA: A new Toyota Hiace van is in the pipeline. And the spy shots of the vehicle give the impression that it is going to feature the most dramatic makeover till date. The new Toyota Hiace is still mostly masked but a few remarkable new additions could not be successfully hidden by the automaker. However, no information is available regarding its possible debut date.

Toyota Hiace is a popular van and its omnipresence is commonly witnessed across the length and breadth of the Philippines. This popular van has been enjoying popularity for a little over a decade now. The spy shots of the much-awaited upcoming new model are believed to have been snapped from an issue of a Japanese magazine. A well-known source has acquired the image of the new-gen van as well.

The driver’s door and the windshield look sportier and the rear windows appear to be larger in dimensions. The new van will feature the dual sliding door just like the current version. From the dimensional point of view, it might flaunt a wide-body version similar to the Super Grandia.

Apparently, the new generation Toyota Hiace van model might not continue with the old-fashioned signature cab-over design. The incorporation of a hood will replace the cab-over design. This addition is believed to be an attempt made by Toyota to stay in tune with the safety regulations. The upcoming model with this new addition might very well go toe-to-toe against the vans like Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Hyundai Starex, etcetera.

There is no information available on the engine type and specifications of the new Toyota Hiace yet. But if rumours are to be believed, the upcoming model might have the 2.4-litre diesel powertrain (similar to the 4x2 versions of the Fortuner and Hilux), or a 2.8-litre diesel unit under its hood. The current Toyota Hiace features a 3.0-litre motor, which delivers a maximum power of 138 PS and a peak torque of 300 Nm.