Toyota has always enjoyed a very strong light commercial vehicle (LCV) presence, having held as much as a 30% market share in the past — although this has declined to 26% recently.
The arrival of the Quantum range of LCVs, the company believes, will allow it to increase that share again. If one compares pricing with Mercedes’s Vito range and Peugeot’s Boxer models, that hope might not be unfounded.
The introduction of the Quantum range provides an opportunity for Toyota to rationalise the production of the Hi Ace to a single model, the Siyaya 16-Seater taxi. This will allow the company to focus on the needs of the taxi market as the leading and virtually sole supplier of this type of vehicle in South Africa.
Production of the Hi Ace and Stallion vans has stopped with the introduction of the Quantum.
The Quantum standard wheelbase panel van has a load capacity of one tonne offering easy load handling and high operating efficiencies. The long wheelbase van derivative has a load-carrying capacity of 1,3 tonnes.
A code eight licence is all that is required for both the panel van and Quantum 14-Seater Bus.
All models are available with the choice of either diesel or petrol engines with the latest technology being used on the engines.
The 14-Seater Bus, which features the same basic design, is built to carry 14 people in air-conditioned comfort. This model will have special appeal in the rapidly expanding commuter transport market and travel industry.
The dashboard is simple in its layout, but refreshing in its style. It has good storage space, which consists of a large glove box together with a sub-
stantial tray under the dashboard. A large analogue meter instrument panel is provided, which can be dimmed, and a warning buzzer sounds when lights are left on or keys are left in the ignition.
The gear shift lever is mounted to the left side of the instrument cluster in front of the dashboard rather than on the floor, which frees up space for front seat occupants.
A simple open-form head lining ensures optimised cargo space. Lighting is provided in the cargo area. On the 14-Seater Bus variant the rear roof lining incorporates the air-conditioning ducting, with independent outlets provided above the seats for improved comfort and efficiency.
The air-conditioner is standard on the Quantum 14-Seater Bus as is an RDS radio/CD player. These items are available as dealer-fitted options on the panel van derivatives. Electric front windows are also a standard feature on the 14-Seater Bus, while a rear heater provides warmth for passengers in cold weather.
The steering wheel is tilt adjustable and speed-sensitive steering is standard on all models. ABS (anti-lock braking system) brakes with brake assist are standard on the long wheelbase panel van and the 14-Seater Bus. These derivatives also have driver and front passenger airbags.
The Quantum is the first vehicle from Toyota South Africa to feature ToyotaCare Microdot anti-theft protection. This system places as many as 10 000 microdots, encoded with the vehicle’s unique number, throughout the vehicle to preserve the vehicle identity in the event that it is stolen. These are invisible to the naked eye, but visible to a special reader.
The standard wheelbase Quantum panel van load area measures 2 930mm in length, is 1 545mm wide and 1 335mm high. The long wheelbase van has a cargo floor length of 3 470mm and an interior width of 1 730mm. Sliding doors are fitted to both sides.
Seats are arranged in a 2/2/3/3/4 configuration, with access to the rear seats through the side sliding door via the aisle. The rearmost row of four seats can be folded away to provide storage or luggage space if required. All rear seats are fitted with three-point seat belts.
Buyers can choose between a 2,7 litre petrol version, which develops 111kW of power at 4 800rpm through its VVT-i (variable valve timing — intelligent) engine, or a 2,5 litre turbo diesel engine, which in turn makes 75kW of power at 3 600rpm. Torque is measured at 241Nm in the case of the petrol, made at 5 000rpm, while the diesel produces 260Nm, which is delivered between 1 600rpm and 2 400rpm.
Service intervals for both the petrol and diesel engine options are 10 000km. The Quantum is covered by a 100 000km/two-year warranty. A Toyota service plan is included in the price.