Toyota goes for a compact
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TOYOTA has become the second Japanese manufacturer to launch a compact van in the UK with its 1,98 tonne GVW Lite-Ace, which comes just two weeks after the launch of the Nissan Vanette range (CM February 15).
The Lite-Ace is intended to till the gap between car-derived and larger panel vans, and offers a 9(R)kg payload and a body volume of 3.5m3 (124t3). Price is $3,026 plus VAT.
It is powered by Toyota's 1,486cc 5K petrol engine which develops 51kW (68hp) at 5,000rpm and has a peak torque or Il7Nm (86 11311) at 3,200rpni.
The four-cylinder overhead valve unit can run on 91 octane (two star) fuel and is equipped with transistorised ignition.
Unlike the Nissan Vanette, which is offered with petrol and diesel engines, the LiteAce will only be available in the UK with a petrol engine.
The rear-wheel-drive LiteAce has a direct-top fourspeed gearbox and cableoperated clutch. Its 4.77:1 rear axle gives a top speed of over 129km/h (80mph). The Vanette has a five-speed gearbox.
Maximum loading height inside the forward control body is 1,608mm, while its load platform length measures 2,121mm. Standard equipment includes a sliding side loading door (like the Vanette) and a top-hinged rail
gate. Interior body width is 1,440mm.
The plastic and vinyl trimmed driving compartment is fated with twin highbacked seats with head restraints and a push-button radio.
Like the larger I li-Ace van, the Lite-Ace has torsion bar front suspension with ventilated disc brakes and a leafsprung live rear axle with drum brakes. A front anti-roll bar is fitted as standard. The Lite-Ace's rack and pinion steering provides a 8.3m turning circle. Toyota claims a 0.4 Cd drag factor for the sharply raked Lite-Ace body, which is similar to the Space Cruiser's, and that the small 2.1m wheelbase van meets all current ECE impact regulations with its Y-beam front chassis construction.
The arrival of the Lite-Ace gives Toyota an extra van model for the UK market. Sales of the recently facelifted Hi-Ace have fallen, since the launch of the Bedford Midi.