Auto
The New PROACE VAN 2016, A wider Model Range to Meet All LCV Needs
- Available in two grades with a choice of three body sizes and two wheelbase lengths
- The PROACE VAN Compact, a new and unique proposition in the segment
- World debut at the 2016 Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show (26th – 28th April)
An all-new Toyota PROACE Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) range will make its world debut at the 2016 Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show (26th – 28th April).
With predicted sales of 2.2 million units in 2016, the LCV market has shown a strong recovery in the last few years, with an increase of over 12% in 2015.
The new, 2016 PROACE VAN model range offers customers a much wider choice of vehicles. Available in two grades with a choice of three body sizes and two wheelbase lengths, the new PROACE VAN model range increases the company’s overall coverage of the European LCV market.
First of all, it adds a unique variant, the PROACE VAN Compact. 4.6 m long and with a 2.9 m wheelbase, it is the shortest vehicle in the MDV segment yet, creating a new standard in the segment. Due to the smart packaging, it offers the footprint of a CDV Large with the cargo capacity of a MDV. It features three front cabin seats and has a cargo bay 2.1 m long and 1.6 m wide, for a total cargo volume of 4.6 cubic metres. A new and unique proposition in the segment.
Secondly, it includes an up to 9-seat Combi, a Crew Cab and a Platform Cab ready for conversions (available from the first quarter of 2017) which allow the new PROACE to cover 100% of the MDV market.
Five diesel powertrains vary in output from 95 to 180 DIN hp. Mated to a choice of manual, robotised manual and automatic transmissions, they target best-in-class CO2 emissions in the MDV segment.
Unique specification levels across the grade structure include motorised right and left hand sliding side doors, automatic transmissions, three front seats in even the PROACE Compact, and a new Smart Cargo system which combines an opening bulkhead with a lifting front passenger seat base to maximise load length by 1.16 m and overall loading capacity by 0.5 m3.
Safety standards are on a par with the high levels expected of any Toyota vehicle, and the people mover versions have recently been awarded 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash test programme. The Toyota Safety Sense set of advanced safety technologies is also available across the VAN model range.
As with every Toyota vehicle, the new PROACE VAN range will be covered by the company’s comprehensive, 3-year/100,000 km warranty.
Design and Packaging
With striking Under Priority frontal design language identifying it as the latest addition to the Toyota family, the new PROACE VAN model range is available in a choice of three body sizes – Compact,Medium and Long.
4.6 m long and with a 2.9 m wheelbase, the Compact version is the shortest vehicle in the MDV segment, even shorter than some CDV Large models. Its turning circle of only 11.3 metres makes it easy to manoeuvre and park in built-up areas.
Available in Panel, Semi-glazed or Glazed VAN variants, the PROACE Compact features three front cabin seats and has a cargo bay 2.1 m long and 1.6 m wide, for a total cargo volume of 4.6 cubic metres.
Equipped with a new Smart Cargo system -which combines an opening bulkhead with a lifting front passenger seat base to increase cargo loading length by 116 cm- maximum cargo length increases to 3.3 m, and total cargo volume rises to a best-in-class 5.1 cubic metres.
Available on all PROACE VAN variants, the Smart Cargo system also includes a storage compartment under the central passenger seat base, and a movable desk configuration built into the lowered central seatback which includes a swivelling shelf with a flexible, high grip tray to securely hold items such as paperwork or a laptop PC.
Offered in Panel, Semi-glazed or Glazed VAN, Crew Cab, Combi and Platform Cab variants, theMedium version is 4.9 m long with a 3.2 m wheelbase. Fitted with the Smart Cargo system, maximum cargo length increases from 2.5 to 3.7 m, and total cargo volume rises from 5.3 to 5.8 cubic metres.
The Long version has the same 3.2 m wheelbase but features an extended rear overhang for greater cargo capacity, increasing overall length to 5.3 m. It is available in Panel, Semi-glazed or Glazed VAN, Crew Cab and Combi variants.
It has a cargo bay 2.8 m long and 1.6 m wide, for a total cargo volume of 6.1 cubic metres. The Smart Cargo system increases maximum cargo length to 4.0 m, and total cargo volume rises to 6.6 cubic metres.
Benefitting from practical, left- and right-hand side sliding rear doors and side hinged, 180 degree opening, double rear doors, all three PROACE VAN bodies are 2.2 m wide and 1.9 m high. They have a maximum payload capacity of up to 1400 kg, and a towing capacity of up to 2500 kg.
Power operated as an option on all variants, the side sliding doors of the Medium and Long variants are wide enough to allow the loading of a Euro pallet. Equipped as standard with 50:50 panel wing rear doors, the vans can optionally be equipped with 3 alternative configurations:
- 50:50 glazed swing doors with heated screens and wipers.
- 250° hinges on Long that allow the doors to fold back onto the vehicle flanks. This can be used for bay loading or to avoid infringing on the roadway or kerb.
- A glazed tailgate hatch with heating and wiper.
On board, the robust, functional and spacious cab has been designed to meet the needs of both commercial and private owners. The dashboard design features clear, analogue dial instrumentation and ergonomic switchgear. Boasting excellent visibility, the PROACE VAN’s SUV-like driving position features a short-throw gear lever mounted as close to the steering wheel as possible, maximising the time that the driver spends with both hands on the wheel.
Grade Structure and Accessories
The new PROACE VAN model range is available in three grades; Base and Comfort VAN grades and aCombi Passenger Car grade. These complement the PROACE VERSO passenger car range.
The entry level, commuter specification Combi grade combines practicality and durability with low Total Cost of Ownership. It is available with a choice of 5- to 9-seat cabin configurations. The former features twin, ‘captain’s chair’-style front seats, and second or second and third row bench seats; the latter, three or two tiers of bench seating.
A carefully considered standard equipment specification for Base and Combi grade models includes three front seats and a driver’s seat armrest, driver and passenger airbags, fabric upholstery, central locking, cruise control and speed limiter, a 12V dashboard power supply and 16″ steel wheels with hubcaps.
Available on VAN and Crew Cab versions, Comfort grade builds on the Base specification with a more sophisticated cabin acoustics treatment, driver’s seat height adjustment, fabric/vinyl upholstery, a stereo radio with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, manual air-conditioning, glovebox lighting and cooling, remote central locking, additional 12V power supplies in both glovebox and cargo area, and the Smart Cargo system.
A comprehensive list of options and accessories allows owners to adapt the vehicle to their requirements. The options encompass: ease of use (keyless entry, automatic lamps and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, rear camera); performance adaption (increased pay load, enhanced ground clearance, off-road capabilities); improved vehicle aesthetics (17 inches alloys, and colour-coded bumpers, side protection, handles and external mirrors); and safety (side airbags, xenon lamps, fog lamps).
Regarding the latter, the PROACE can also be equipped with a choice of two Toyota Safety Sense active safety packs. One pack includes Lane Departure Alert, Road Sign Assist, Driver Attention Alert and an Automatic High Beam system. The other Pack adds Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, autonomous emergency braking system with pedestrian detection and cornering lights.
In order to allow stress-free access to challenging environments such as worksites, the PROACE VAN model range can be equipped with increased ground clearance (+25 mm) and Toyota Traction Select. The latter adapts the vehicle’s electronic traction control strategy to improve its off-road capabilities. Additional to the standard, switchable ESP, the system features three specific modes specifically developed for driving on snow (active up to 50 km/h), mud (up to 80 km/h) and sand (up to 120 km/h).
In addition, a wide range of accessories allows owners to tailor the PROACE VAN even more precisely to their specific occupation. This includes increased acoustic and thermal insulation, a rear ladder, fixed and fold-out tow hooks, roof-rack systems featuring rollers, top boxes and pipe carriers, and a range of tailor-made solutions offered by Würth.
Powertrains
The new PROACE VAN range is available with a range of five powertrains featuring 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesel engines offering a choice of power outputs and transmissions. Incorporating Toyota’s Stop & Start system, the entire range benefits from CO2 emissions reductions over outgoing models, and now targets best-in-class CO2 emissions in the MDV segment.
A 70 kW/95 DIN hp variant of the 1.6 litre engine may be mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission (210 Nm torque) or a 6-speed robotised manual transmission (240 Nm torque). The former generates CO2 emissions of 144 to 148 g/km and fuel consumption of 5.5 to 5.6 l/100 km, whilst, equipped with Stop & Start, the later just 135 to 139 g/km and fuel consumption of 5.2 to 5.4 l/100 km.
Delivering 300 Nm of torque, a more powerful, 85 kW/115 DIN hp version of the 1.6 litre unit is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Featuring Stop & Start, it generates CO2 emissions of 133-137 g/km CO2 and fuel consumption of 5.1 to 5.2 l/100 km.
Recommended for increased payloads thanks to their high torque of 340 Nm and 370 Nm respectively, both the 90 kW/122 DIN hp and 110 kW/150 DIN hp variants of the 2.0 litre turbodiesel are mated to 6-speed manual transmissions. Equipped with Stop & Start, they generate 139-143 g/km of CO2 and fuel consumption of 5.3 to 5.5 l/100 km.
Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and delivering 400 Nm of torque, the 130 kW/180 DIN hp variant of the 2.0 litre unit is the most powerful engine in the new PROACE VAN model range. Equipped with Stop & Start, it generates CO2 emissions of 151-155 g/kmand fuel consumption of 5.7 to 5.9 l/100 km.
All powertrains are Euro 6 compliant and are equipped with selective catalytic reduction to lower the amount of NOx released into the atmosphere. A 22.5 litre tank of AdBlue ensures the optimal functioning of the system for 15,000 km. The tank can be easily refiled via a filling flap on the B-pillar, accessible behind a cover with the driver’s door open.
A standard maintenance interval of 40,000 km or one year contributes to a low cost of ownership.
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