LiteAce and TownAce Undergo Full Model ChangeNew Noah Models Feature Increased Interior Utility

Tokyo―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) today launched its fully remodeled LiteAce and TownAce wagons, assigning them the shared name Noah. The new minivans feature increased interior comfort and utility packaged within a newly developed safety cabin that is just the right size for today's demanding drivers.

Since they first appeared, the compact cab-over-engine style LiteAce and TownAce wagons have been leaders in the recreational vehicle (RV) market, playing a vital role in the development of the large minivan market in the U.S. Now, the new LiteAce Noah and TownAce Noah have been redesigned into a semi-cab-over-engine layout with improved utility, ride, and safety.

The LiteAce and TownAce van models have also undergone a full model change. Based on the Noah, they are the first commercial vehicles to be offered with the GOA body, and feature a new 1.8-liter gasoline engine and three-person walk-through front seats.

Vehicle OverviewNoah

Spacious and User-Friendly Interior

The Noah's interior layout enables numerous passengers to ride comfortably in its compact, five-number category body, while also providing ease of entry and egress that ranks at the top of its class. Furthermore, the redesign provides space for passengers to walk through from the front to the third seat and allows for the seating to be rearranged freely to accommodate passenger needs.

1. Ease of entrance and exit

   To make the Noah easier to get in and out of, the level of the front door step has been lowered to 335mm and the slide door step to 380mm from ground level. The steps have also been made wider and a slide door assist grip added.

2. Increased comfort and utility

   Locating the engine in the front of the vehicle has created a flat space between and behind the front seats. Combined with the high interior cabin, this allows passengers to move comfortably from the front seats through to the third seat (excluding eight-person capacity models) and improves spaciousness and comfort for rear passengers.

   The up/down power window in the sliding door greatly increases the feeling of openness (excluding SW), while UV-cut glass in the front door windows reduces sunburn and heat buildup (excluding L, LD, SW).

3. Redesigned automatic shift lever

   The shift lever in automatic models has been moved from the floor to the steering column. Toyota's newly developed column shift system features forward-backward operation instead of the up-down movement of conventional column shifts, providing greater ease of operation.

Class-Leading Ride and Quietness

The engine has been separated from the cabin and moved to the front to reduce vibration and noise. The newly available 2.0-liter twin-cam 16-valve engine, redesigned chassis, improved aerodynamics, and reduced weight of the overall vehicle provide superior power, handling, and quietness.

1. Engine performance

   The high-efficiency 2.0-liter twin-cam 16-valve engine (3S-FE) attains some of the highest levels of output and torque in its class. The 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine (3C-T) has a redesigned, compact, and lightweight turbocharger that provides outstanding performance through improved response and increased torque.

2. Noise isolation

   The Noah was designed using computer-aided engineering (CAE) to reduce vibration and noise from the engine and tires. In addition to repositioning of the engine, improved body vibration characteristics and strategically placed damping and noise insulation materials make the Noah one of the quietest minivans on the market.

3. Handling and ride

   The chassis has been fully redesigned to provide the driver with better handling and passengers with a lighter and more comfortable ride. The wheelbase has been extended 480mm and the track widened by 20mm in the front and 60mm in the rear. While the double-wishbone (front) and 4-link (rear) suspension systems are carried over from the previous model, the geometry has been redesigned and the structure of each section revised.

   By installing the engine in a compact forward space, out of the way of the wheels, the range that the wheels can be turned has been increased, giving the Noah one of the smallest turning radii in the semi-cab-over-engine wagon class. Combined with a shortened front overhang, it is now more maneuverable in tight spaces.

   The drive system has been changed from conventional part-time 4WD to fulltime 4WD to increase driving stability under a variety of driving conditions.

World-Class Levels of Safety and Environmental Friendliness

The Noah is based upon the Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) collision-safety body and comes standard with ABS, dual front SRS air bags, and a force limiter seat belt for the driver, thus achieving world-class levels of active and passive safety. These new models are also environmentally friendly, widely utilizing recyclable materials and increasing fuel economy through a lightweight design and newly available engine.

1. Active safety

   Riding high above the road and unhindered by the roof pillars, all of which have been strategically redesigned, the driver enjoys an outstanding field of vision. The new chassis improves handling and riding stability, and all grades come standard with ABS, combining to provide better control of the vehicle under all driving situations.

2. Passive safety

   The Noah's new collision-safety GOA body, consisting of an impact absorbing body and a high-integrity cabin, meets not only Japan's safety standards and the future European 40% lap offset front collision standards, but also Toyota's own stringent requirements.

   All models are equipped with dual SRS air bags and a driver-side force limiter seat belt as standard. Seat belts that can conveniently accommodate child seats come standard in the left and right second seats (excluding SW).

3. Protecting the environment

   The newly available 3S-FE engine and a lightweight, more aerodynamic body design raise fuel economy to impressive levels. Toyota's easily recyclable Super Olefin Polymer is used for exterior parts such as the front and rear bumpers, and for interior parts such as instrument panels.

Distinctive Exterior Design

The Noah's exterior has been redesigned so that it stands out from other RVs with an individuality and presence all its own. A fuller, more prominent bumper design and multi-reflector headlamps tighten and strengthen the appearance of the front-end. The side silhouette is well-proportioned, with an extended character line that flows back from the front fender, providing balance.

The two Noah lines were designed by Toyota with separate images in mind. For example, the LiteAce Noah has a sporty feel, with a honeycomb grille and projector fog lamps (excluding Field Tourer, SW). The TownAce Noah, in contrast, emphasizes power and grace with two horizontal grilles for added presence.

The newly created Field Tourer grade comes equipped with numerous specialized features to emphasize an "outdoors" image. Exterior design is highlighted by two-tone paint overlaid with dynamic body stripes, sporty roof rails, a rear spoiler with a high-mount LED brake lamp, large, stylish front and rear bumpers, and yellow fog lamps. The interior features such equipment as special seat covers and carbon instrument panels.

Vehicle OverviewVans

Like the LiteAce Noah and TownAce Noah, the van models have also been redesigned in a semi-cab-over-engine layout and incorporate new technologies that make them some of the safest and most economical and practical commercial vehicles available.

They are the first commercial vehicles to be built using the GOA design and have a full line of standard safety features, including ABS and driver-side SRS air bag (excluding DX). For an outstanding combination of performance and fuel economy, a new 1.8-liter gasoline engine (7K) is available, as well as the 1.5-liter gasoline (5K) and 2.0-liter diesel (2C) engines, which are carried over from the previous models. The rear suspension has been switched to a 4-link system for superb handling, stability, and comfortable ride. The center section of the three-person front seat can be folded away to allow walkthrough access to the rear cargo area.