TOYOTA ANNOUNCES FULL MODEL CHANGE IN HI-ACE SERIES

TOKYO―Toyota Motor Company, Ltd., and Toyota Motor Sales Company, Ltd., jointly announced today the introduction of a full model change in the Hi-Ace series of 1-ton cab-over type vans, light trucks and commuters, the first such model change in the series since October 1967. All vehicles in the new series go on nationwide sale on February 1.

The main aim of the model change is to meet the demand in the commercial delivery market for vehicles that are more functional and more comfortable. Thus Toyota designers and engineers fixed as their guiding principle in developing the new series the theme of "Harmony between maximum transport efficiency and human factors." In addition to function and comfort, much emphasis has been placed on increased safety.

The new Hi-Ace series offers completely changed styling, and a 5-door van is included among its long vans in order to round out the line. There are 35 variations in the new series: 19 variations of vans, 12 variations of light trucks and 4 variations of commuters. This wide choice reflects the diversified demand that has emerged in the market.

1. More functional; greater cargo capacity
   • The use of curved glass, the removal of all protuberances in the cargo area and improvements in the fold-down seats have all contributed to achieving high cubic volume in the cargo space.
   • A high roof in the commuters and super-long vans provides them with a much greater load capacity, greater internal space for moving cargo about and greater comfort.
   • A single-panel, raise-up rear door provides easy access to the cargo area.
2. Improved comfort
   • Shoulder space has been increased to 1,470mm with the use of curved glass, and head clearance―the distance measured from the seat to the inside roof―has been increased to 970mm. The front seat area is thus much more spacious than previously.
   • The ventilation system has also been improved. A booster ventilator has been added so that outside air can be brought in even when the vehicle is stopped, and hand-operated ventilation louvers have been installed on either side of the front panel.
3. Increased safety
   • In order to provide a wider range of vision, the front windshield has been made larger and the small side windows have been discontinued.
   • An LSPV (Load-Sensing Proportioning Valve) has been installed as standard equipment in all models except those in the super-long category. It distributes braking proportionately between the front and rear wheels according to the weight of the load being carried.
   • The continuous-type 3-point webbing belt used in the front seat provides easier belt fastening, adjusting and removing.
4. Improved maneuverability
   • The dashboard display is wholly new, and visual recognition of the meters is more immediate.
   • One lever in the steering column contains all the control switches for the window washer, window wipers, high and low light beams, and headlight off/on functions.
5. New styling
   • The basic consideration in styling has been to obtain wide cargo space.
   • The center of gravity has been lowered in the new series in order to gain greater stability in strong side winds.
   • The use of curved glass in the doors and the side windows gives an overall softer feeling in styling.
   • Rear-end styling utilizes the coda-tronca ("cutting off the tail") concept. The result is a pulled-in silhouette and greater stability for driving at expressway speeds.