Toyota is to launch a new-look, more powerful version of the legendary Hiace light commercial vehicle range to offer customers a reliable, flexible and economical solution to their workplace needs.

Hiace features a refreshed, tough and reliable image with improved interior quality and enhanced safety features. It also gains more powerful versions of the 2.5-litre D-4D diesel engine with a choice of either 95 DIN hp (70kW) or 117 DIN hp (86kW) output.

These new engines both comply with Euro IV emissions regulation and will offer a balance of excellent performance, low fuel consumption and low running costs.

Meanwhile, the new Hiace retains all its familiar, user-friendly features which have helped it gain a worldwide reputation for quality, durability and reliability. These features have ensured the Toyota Hiace plays a critical role in the daily lives of thousands of business users.

Renowned for its reliability, economy and easy driving style, the Toyota Hiace is already a popular choice in the light commercial market. It is estimated there are over 365,000 Hiace vehicles on the road across Europe and around 15,000 new Hiace models are sold every year.

This figure has remained remarkably constant in the last few years — despite the introduction of several new models ranges into a highly competitive vehicle segment.

The appeal to light commercial vehicle customers is clear. The Toyota Hiace enjoys a legendary reputation for quality, durability and reliability and class leading cost of ownership, underpinned by high residual values.

Indeed, the current generation Toyota Hiace still beats its key rivals for retained value by a clear margin after three-years and 60,000 miles in core European markets (source: EurotaxGlass's).

The product enhancements introduced for the 2007 model year are designed to make the Hiace even more versatile and to offer business users more performance, more comfort and superior quality during their working day.

More powerful diesel engines are now available in the Toyota Hiace range with the introduction of the latest generation units, based on the advanced D-4D common rail technology 2KD-FTV engine used in the current model. As with the current model, there will be a choice of power outputs to suit individual customer needs and working environments.

The entry 2.5-litre D-4D intercooler gains 7 DIN hp to take its maximum output to 95 DIN hp at 3600 rpm. It also benefits from a significant increase in maximum torque, which is up by 38 Nm to 230 Nm, developed across an engine range from 1400 to 2800rpm.

Even more impressive is the increase in power for the high-performance 2.5-litre D-4D which is also fitted with a high capacity intercooler to maximise operating efficiency. Maximum output rises to 117 DIN hp (up by 15 hp) and maximum torque is up by 34 Nm to 294 Nm across 1600 to 2400 rpm.

These two new engines ensure the Toyota Hiace remains competitive at the heart of the European light commercial vehicle market by offering the balance of power and torque that operators expect. Both new engines comply with Euro IV emissions regulations.

Overall performance figures are greatly improved while retaining low fuel consumption and low overall running costs. The Toyota Hiace now has a top speed of 152 km/h (hi-powered version) while acceleration in mid-range driving, from 80 km/h to 100 km/h, is improved by around two seconds which make it top class in overtake acceleration.

The Toyota Hiace also improves fuel consumption, the 2.5 high power D-4D (4x2, 5M/T) reaches 8.5 litres/100 km instead of the current generation 8.7 litres/100km.

Despite the increased power, low running costs remain a design priority. The upgraded diesel engines are equipped with Toyota's Oil Maintenance Management System (OMMS) which helps reduce operating costs by extending service intervals. As a result, the Hiace D4-D is available with a variable oil change interval that can go up to 30,000km or two years.

The strong, reliable image of the Toyota Hiace is refreshed for the 2007 model year with a new look to the frontal styling and improved interior quality.

The 2007 Hiace has a more powerful bonnet line with new, more prominent front bumper and grille. A key visual feature is the prominent headlamps which have been enlarged and are multi-reflector type. The position lamp and the turn indicators are now housed under one, clear lens to give a more modern look. The prominence of the frontal styling is also enhanced by the increased front overhang, which has been extended by 80mm.

The interior design changes have focused on creating a superior quality feeling to improve the working environment. Notable are the new, four-spoke steering wheel which gives a more 'car-like' feel and the modern silver finish to the centre cluster. The seat fabrics are now more contemporary.

The 2007 Hiace is available with either an advanced optional audio/CD system (which can play MP3 files) or an optional DVD full map navigation.

A driver's airbag is now standard equipment in all markets and passive safety is also improved with the fitment of force-limiting driver and passenger seat-belts which work with the SRS airbag to reduce the stress on the upper torso during an accident.

Active safety is also an important consideration for light commercial vehicle operators and anti-lock brakes are now standard across the Toyota Hiace range for almost all markets in Europe.

The new Toyota Hiace range will continue to be available in a wide range of body styles and specifications to suit all business users. The basic, three seat panel van has both short and long wheelbase versions (GVW 2.80 to 3.00 tonnes) and there is the option of wide-opening sliding doors on one or both sides for work in confined, city streets. At the rear, the vehicle can be equipped either with a rear lift door or with swing-out doors that can open up to 180 degree.

With its load length of 2,355 mm (short wheelbase versions), the panel van is designed accommodate two Euro pallets (the load length of long wheelbase versions is 2,780 mm).

The windowed van, with its multiple seating configuration, is also available in either short or long wheelbase versions (GVW 2.70 to 2.90 tonnes) with side sliding doors and a single lift rear door for maximum versatility.

The "wagon" version is able to carry up to 8 people with a luggage space of 1,200 litres.