‘Sensible’ safety systems headline features of new Toyota Hiace Super Grandia

THE newly launched Super Grandia, which completes the Toyota Hiace lineup in the Philippines, debuts the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of active safety systems in the carmaker’s local lineup.

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) explained the items incorporated in TSS “identify factors that may cause accidents and aid the driver in eliminating these factors.” Four systems make up TSS: Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Automatic High Beam (AHB).

PCS detects the possibility of a collision using various sensors and reacts accordingly — including issue audio and visual warnings, as well as brakes the Super Grandia either partially or completely, depending on speed. ACC can automatically adjust the vehicle’s cruising distance from the vehicle ahead. LDA can “read” driving lanes and will alert the driver if the Super Grandia is straying from the lane, AHB dips the high beam if an oncoming vehicle is detected — or when closing in on a vehicle in front.

TSS is available in the Super Grandia’s top variant, the Elite. The two other variants are the Leather and Fabric. Prices range from P2.420 million for the Fabric in monotone trim to P2.890 million for the Elite.

HIace Super Grandia Elite boasts captain’s chairs with quilted leather and ottoman.

TMP said it targets to sell 400 units per month of the Super Grandia. The number is included in the 1,400 to 1,500 units of Hiace the company sells per month. Hiace variants now outsell the Toyota Corolla Altis, according to TMP.

“The Hiace Super Grandia is a preferred van of companies in various industries, and is quite popular as a family vehicle. It has indeed become a symbol of comfort, convenience and durability,” TMP president Satoru Suzuki said in his speech during the Super Grandia’s launch program held on Monday. The executive added TMP expects the model to “further elevate” sales of the Hiace, which at present commands a 54.6% share in its segment, year-to-date as of July.

Marking out the Super Grandia are a large, chromed grille which merges with the bi-beam LED headlamps, chrome accents on the LED combination taillamps, and a chrome trim running along the side to the bottom of the rear bumper.

Also fitted to the Super Grandia Elite are power sliding doors; cabin illumination that can be set to blue, amber or white; four-way adjustable captain’s seats in quilted leather with ottoman; personal reading lamps in the rear; and automatic climate control with Nano-E air purifying technology.

The two other Super Grandia variants have benches in the rearmost row, which can accommodate up to four people.

Powering all three Super Grandia variants is a 2.8-liter diesel engine that outputs 176hp. This mill, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, is fitted with an intercooler and exhaust gas recirculation. Suspension setup for the vehicles are McPherson struts in front, coil-sprung four-link system in the rear. This arrangement, TMP promises, reduces noise, vibration and harshness levels in the cabin.

The Hiace Super Grandia will be available in all Toyota dealerships in the Philippines on August 26.