The diesel range has joined the petrol equivalents with Euro 5 emissions technology
Toyota has updated the diesel engines fitted into its HiAce models to improve fuel economy and lower emissions.
According to the Japanese automotive giant, it has recalibrated the “HiAce 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine to meet Euro 5 emissions levels [and deliver] fuel-economy improvements of up to 4.6 per cent on the official urban cycle.”
Toyota says the best results from the 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV engine’s upgrade, which includes a diesel particulate filter with manual as well as automatic regeneration, is seen in the Long Wheel Base (LWB) crew van and Super Long Wheel Base (SLWB) van with the five-speed manual gearbox.
Using the six-speed automatic transmission, these models would see improvements of 3.5 per cent.
The move to Euro 5 comes 12 months after the petrol range made the switch, a period in which Toyota has changed to fit every model with electronic vehicle stability control, brake assist, hill-start assist control, and an emergency stopping signal.
Also changing over the year has been the Australian dollar against the yen, meaning the HiAce range has jumped in price.
Vans are now 2 per cent more expensive and buses are up 3.8 per cent.
The new pricing scheme comes with new extras however, such as the option to choose a left-side window or a steel panel on the LWB diesel van.
“While many owners appreciated the added visibility offered by the left-side window, there are others who expressed a preference for the security and privacy offered by a steel panel,” Toyota says.
The company has also announced two new commuter bus diesel variants with 12 seats which are able to be driven on a car licence.
Van models start from $33,650. Commuter buses start at $58,640.