Proace will suit both private and commercial sectors

By Gerry Murphy

Toyota’s new-look Proace, launched in Warsaw last week, will provide quite a range of options for panel van buyers and those looking for more space for passengers in the new Proace Verso models.

Essentially, but not primarily, the same as its sister vehicles from the PSA group (Peugeot/Citroen), there will be three van sizes and a couple of passenger options available when the range goes on sale in Ireland at the end of the month.

In their light commercial van catalogue there will be a Compact, Medium and Long version to entice buyers of vans in the mid-sized load-carrying sector. Car-like driving dynamics, easy access through the rear doors and side sliding door and some additional storage systems make it a vehicle that Toyota hope will be a popular as the Hiace was in its heyday.

The range will be available with 1.6 or 2.0-litre D-4D engines and varying power outputs of 94bhp or 114bhp for the 1.6 and 121bhp in the 2.0-litre. All will come with manual gearboxes.

At 4.6 metres long and with a payload of 1,000kg, the Compact will be in direct competition with the likes of the Volkswagen Caddy while the Medium and Long based models (both with a payload of 1,400kg and lengths of 4.9 and 5.3 metres respectively) will be in opposition to the likes of the Ford Transit Custom and the rest of the mid panel van competitors.

For large families and those in the business of ferrying passengers, the Proace Verso becomes a real option for space and flexibility. Carrying capacity ranges from a maximum of nine people, including driver, in the Proace Verso Shuttle model, to the eight-seat Family to the luxurious seven-seat VIP model. All provide easy access with sliding side doors and a full-depth tailgate.

For more, read this week’s Connach Tribune.