Futuristic Toyota HiAce Concept Has Us Craving Its Return
It has been a few years since we’ve had the option to buy a Toyota HiAce van on this side of the world, but the unveiling of a new concept hinting at its future direction has us wishing for its return.
Revealed at the Japan Mobility Show, the Toyota HiAce Concept offers a tantalising preview of what can be expected going forward... even if we may not get the chance to have one in the UK.
Indeed, Toyota certainly affirmed its status as one of the world’s most prominent manufacturers by going big with an array of new models on the stand at its local motor show.
As such, arguably one of its important new unveilings flew a little under the radar, though this is partly because the model was set to wear a different name before the show, only for Toyota to leave no uncertainty over which model it will become by switching it to HiAce.
While finer details are scarce, the HiAce Concept clearly embraces some sharp edges for its reimagination, which is handy since the boxy silhouette suggests generous load space to match.
The bluff front-end gets a new L-shaped LED illumination for the headlights and the badging, plus some funky pixel-style fog lights.
A model that is particularly popular as a passenger and mobility variant, the HiAce Concept was presented with a number of interesting solutions to live up to this reputation, including a panoramic interior display, swivel-out seats and high-set privacy windows.
Under the skin, the new Toyota HiAce is likely to incorporate an electric powertrain for the first time, which might improve its chances of making it back to Europe.
The HiAce medium van was formerly Toyota’s sole panel entry on this side of the world but was largely phased out in 2012.
Since then, Toyota has developed a full commercial vehicle range comprising the Proace City, Proace and Proace Max based on Stellantis-sourced underpinnings.
