A few days ago I saw a new-looking large LWB silver van which I
didn't recognize... and wondered if it might be a new Hiace. Well,
today I saw another, a white SWB, which I allowed to pass me. In the
tailgate was printed HIACE.

I was delighted to be able to confirm that Toyota retains the cabover
(forward-control) layout of all previous Hiaces, a layout inspired by
the Morris J4 of the 1960s (I'm not saying the J4 was a good vehicle!
Just that its layout happened to be the ideal one for a van... even
the Poms have to get SOMETHING right at least once). Like Nissan, the
new large van stays true to the design... dunno why both companies
went front-engine with their small vans (Liteace, Sunny Vanette).

I have only one issue with the new Hiace... It is hideous!! And I
mean frow every angle. The outgoing LH100-series was almost as
good-looking as I would believe possible for a van. Why couldn't
Toyota have retained its styling, or something very close to it?
Perhaps altering the side-windows to make the upper vehicle all-glass
above the waistline, as with the Estima (=Previa) and the last
generation of cabover Liteaces.

Guess I'll have to go out Hiace-hunting tomorrow so I can add images
to my "Japanese vans" image files...
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut

HUMANITY: THE ULTIMATE VON NEUMANN MACHINE

DEMOCRACY: RULE BY THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR