TOYOTA PROACE AND PROACE CITY RAISE THEIR GAME WITH ALL-ROUND ENHANCEMENTS

• Significant updates for Toyota’s range of PROACE and PROACE CITY medium and compact vans and respective VERSO people carriers
• New models bring renewed design, latest technologies and outstanding practicality.
• Choice of new battery electric and conventional powertrains to suit multiple customer requirements
• Revisions to battery electric systems extend the driving range to up to 350 km
• Enhanced multimedia and connectivity features and functions, including the availability of a 10-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster
• A major step up in safety and driver assistance provisions

The PROACE and PROACE CITY have led the way in introducing battery electric powertrains to the Toyota Professional range of light commercial vehicles. There are now battery electric or hybrid options for every model in the LCV line-up, giving customers affordable and practical options to reduce their carbon footprint.

Enhanced models for 2024

A programme of enhancements for the PROACE medium duty van and the compact PROACE CITY has strengthened their competitiveness, both models still offering payloads and maximum load lengths that are among the best in their class.

For the 2024 model year they benefit from new styling and equipment features that complement their load-carrying capabilities with higher levels of convenience, comfort, safety and practicality.

Their makeover introduces a stronger visual road presence, highlighted by a frontal treatment with clean, powerful lines. The absence of an upper grille between the headlights creates a distinctive and sophisticated appearance, while on the PROACE CITY, the lower grille adopts a trapezoidal shape– a design cue shared with other current Toyota models. The overall look communicates toughness, amplified by the new headlights – now available with full LED technology – and alloy wheel options. The cabin has a fresh new look as well, with a sturdy yet comfortable trim.

Infotainment

The tech profile has been enhanced with the introduction of a new 10-inch colour multimedia display provided as standard on all grades except the entry-level models, which retain a five-inch monochrome screen. DAB radio and Bluetooth are standard across the board and Medium and High grades introduce a new 10-inch digital colour instrument cluster. USB-C ports for data and charging are provided on all grades, together with wireless Mirror Link smartphone integration. The high-grade versions further provide an embedded navigation system, with three years’ TomTom subscription.

A major step up in safety and driver assistance

The PROACE and PROACE CITY ranges mark a major step up in the provision of safety and driver assistance features compared to the previous models. Functions that were previously options are now mainly provided as standard, including pre-collision, lane keep assist, automatic high beam and road sign assist systems.

The active safety package also features adaptive cruise control (from 30 km/h or with optional stop-go capability) and intelligent speed assist.

Other upgrades include the provision of front-side airbags; a redesigned front bumper for improved pedestrian protection, a collapsible steering column and strengthened structural parts.

The measures go beyond regulatory requirements to offer more sophisticated support for the driver. They include a new digital rear-view mirror and Dynamic Surround View. Together, these practically eliminate the blind spots behind and on either side of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the PROACE van now gains the Flank Guard protection system that has previously been available on the PROACE CITY. This warns the driver if there is a risk of striking a roadside obstacle, such as a pillar or barrier when making a low-speed turn.

2024 PROACE and PROACE VERSO

Formats to suit all customer needs

The PROACE medium-duty van and PROACE VERSO people carrier have an established reputation for providing the power, space and efficiency to comfortably handle the task at hand.

Different customer needs are catered for by a choice of vehicle formats. These include medium and long body length options (4,983 mm and 5,333 mm respectively) and a Crew Cab version for the van that adds an extra, second row of seats.

The PROACE VERSO can comfortably accommodate up to nine passengers, with equipment grades that tailor the vehicle for work-focused use, family lifestyles or executive transport.

The Crew Cab Premium grade is a new addition to the PROACE range. This provides superior comfort for up to five people while maintaining generous capacity to carry bulky loads. The high-quality details include a premium dash finished in Mistral Black leather upholstery trims for the seats and armrest and height-adjustable headrests. The second-row bench has leather-finished seats and two armrests, while the convenience of the load area is extended with space beneath the bench to allow longer items to be carried.

Increased driving range from revised battery electric powertrain

The 2024 PROACE models benefit from a series of revisions to their battery electric powertrain that delivers an increase in driving range.

A new electric motor providing 136 DIN hp (100kW) of power and the smooth, relaxed drive of a BEV has been introduced and a new connector and modified fuse box have been added to the lithium-ion battery. As a result, vehicles fitted with the 75 kWh battery can cover up to an additional 20 km, taking the driving range up to a best-in-class 350 km (WLTP standard) between charges.  This level of capability provides generous scope for local driving duties without the need for a daily recharge. The battery can be recharged in 45 mins using a DC fast-charging supply. A 50 kWh battery option is also available.

Regenerative braking

The introduction of a regenerative braking system further helps the driver maximise their vehicle’s driving range. This captures kinetic energy generated during deceleration and braking and feeds it back as electric power to charge the battery.

The driver can select their preferred level of regenerative braking using paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. There are three levels to choose from – light, medium and strong, giving different degrees of deceleration when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal. The higher the level, the faster the vehicle will slow down and the greater the amount of energy that will be recovered.

Diesel engine options

Two versions of PROACE’s well-proven 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine are available: a 145 DIN hp (106 kW) unit with six-speed manual gearbox and a 180 DIN hp (132kW) powerplant with eight-speed automatic transmission. A 1.5-litre engine producing 120 DIN hp (88 kW) is also offered, exclusively in the PROACE van.

Load-carrying capacity

As well as having the power to get the job done, the Toyota PROACE van has a load-carrying capacity to match. The cargo area volume is up to a maximum of 6.6 m3 (long version with Smart Cargo system) and the payload is equal-best-in-class at 1,400 kg. When extra equipment or goods need to be carried, users can take advantage of a towing capacity of up to 2,500 kg (2.0 144 model).

Their 1.9 m height allows both the PROACE and PROACE VERSO to access standard car parks while manoeuvring in busy urban locations is made easier thanks to a 6.2 m turning radius for the medium-length model and 6.4 m for the long version.

Conversions and customisation

A conversion framework is being rolled out so that customers will get the vehicle that is perfectly matched to their business requirements with conversion and customisation undertaken by authorised local converters. The authorisation process focuses on verifying and improving the quality standards applied for the conversion and is in line with Toyota standards.

Wheelchair conversions

The PROACE expresses Toyota’s ultimate goal of realizing “Mobility for All” with the availability of conversions to enable wheelchair access so that wheelchair users can travel safely and comfortably. The details include a lowered floor and foldable rear entry lamp, with LED illumination to help with access at night. Manual or automatic side steps and an electric winch can also be specified.

2024 PROACE CITY AND PROACE CITY VERSO

The 2024 PROACE CITY and PROACE CITY VERSO also feature the new PROACE family front design, giving them a more contemporary look and individual character.

The adaptable PROACE CITY van can be specified as a panel van or a Crew Cab while the VERSO is a versatile passenger vehicle that can seat up to seven (equalling the best in class) for daily commuting or flexible family transport.

The PROACE CITY van retains the excellent, business-friendly load-carrying capabilities that have made it an award-winning proposition. Clever design solutions increase the available space up to 4.4 m3 in the long wheelbase version – the largest capacity in its segment – and 3.9 m3 in the standard-wheelbase model. 

The key to maximising the volume is the Smart Cargo system. Based on the space-extending feature found in the larger PROACE van, this uses a folding outer passenger seat and a hatch in the sliding mesh bulkhead to extend load length by 1.3m so that longer items such as ladders and piping can be carried. Maximum load length is 2.2 m – another class-leading figure.

The battery electric model has a 780 kg maximum payload while the petrol and diesel versions can carry up to a class-leading 1,000 kg (in long-wheelbase form).

PROACE CITY further offers features that help people who need their van to double up as office space. With the Smart Cargo system, the front passenger seatback can be folded over to form a desktop. There is also the benefit of convenient connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and a USB port.

Battery Electric power

The battery electric system available in the PROACE CITY and PROACE CITY VERSO benefits from the same technical updates applied to the larger PROACE models (details above), together with a new electric motor, which gives the vehicle a maximum 100 kW (136 DIN hp) of power.

The updates have delivered a 50 km increase in the driving range to 330 km (WLTP standard). Using a 100 kW DC fast charging system, the 50 kWh battery can be recharged to up to 80% in around 30 minutes.

Customers in colder climates can specify an optional heat pump which can help warm the cabin without drawing excessively on battery charge, thus protecting the vehicle’s driving range.

The PROACE CITY and PROACE CITY VERSO also benefit from the energy-capturing regenerative braking system features of the larger PROACE models, detailed above.

Diesel and petrol powertrains

Both PROACE CITY and PROACE CITY VERSO are available with a choice of two 1.5-litre diesel powertrains: 100 DIN hp (75 kW) which is badged 100, with a six-speed manual transmission and a 130 DIN hp (96 kW) eight-speed automatic version. They can also be specified with a 1.2-litre petrol engine with manual transmission delivering 110 DIN hp (81 kW).