Toyota HiAce News

And each week it seems the fuel price sign goes up faster than a politician's pay packet. Australians use a vast amount of fuel in going about their daily business, be it getting the kids to school, travelling to and from work, or conducting the nation's business.Each year we import an ocean of petrol, diesel and LPG that's equivalent to 63,000 Olympic swimming pools. And we're not alone, as the vast populations of newly mobile countries such as India and China take to the roads in their Tatas, Great Walls and Cherys, the world's thirst for oil seems ever more insatiable.Overlay this with war and unrest in the Middle East, the source of 56 per cent of the world's oil, and the inevitable push-pull dynamics of supply and demand can lean to only one thing: higher fuel prices.Here in Australia motorists have been feeling the pinch of higher fuel prices since January when the latest spike in oil prices first began appearing on service station leader boards.The spiralling petrol prices mean fuelling a family car like a Commodore or Falcon now accounts for 2.6 per cent of average weekly earnings. But you don't have to sit back and take it in the hip pocket. There are ways to drive down your weekly fuel bills. Here are a few of them.DOWNSIZING According to VFACTS industry statistics, this seems the most popular choice. Large cars have gone from the top-selling passenger segment in 2000 with 198,766 to the smallest passenger segment last year with 98,583 and falling at 3.1 per cent.Meanwhile, sales of smaller cars are skyrocketing. In the past 10 years small car sales have almost doubled to 239,191 while light cars have increased about 44 per cent to 137,916. You can buy a small car from as little as $11,990 (plus on-road costs) for the Chinese-made Chery, right up $35,990 for a Citroen DS3.And you won't go without. Some of the cheapest little cars these days come with a swag of safety and creature features from multiple airbags to Bluetooth connectivity.PROS: Save on fuel; do the environment a favour; easier to park; nippier in traffic; little hatches can be cavernous if you fold down the rear seats.CONS: You get cramped on long journeys; they are noisier on the highway; they're bumpier over potholes; you could feel a little silly driving a Smurf car.Our Pick: Hyundai i20 (from $15,490) is set to take over from Getz as the segment leader with Euro styling and a high level of features and safety.Others to Consider: Suzuki Swift (from $15,990), Mazda2 (from $15,790) and Toyota Yaris (from $14,990).DIESEL Like smaller car categories, the growth in diesel-powered vehicles is exponential. Since the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries began collating separate figures for various fuel types in 2005, diesel cars and SUVs have more than doubled to 125,555 last year, which is almost one in every five new passenger cars or SUVs bought today.The reason is that modern diesel engines are not only up to twice as frugal as a petrol vehicle, but they often have lower emissions because they burn less fuel per kilometre and usually have an exhaust system that traps small carbon materials.Modern diesels are also quieter and smoother running. However, diesel engines have higher internal pressures and a complex fuel system so they are more expensive to build than a petrol engine. Some car companies charge up to $10,000 more for a diesel variant, although most charge around an extra $2000.Expensive diesels are often the result of low production volumes and highly technological designs and machining costs. To reap the economic benefits you have to drive big kilometres each year and hold on to the vehicle longer.An extreme example is the Holden CD Cruze auto diesel that costs $4000 more than the petrol model. Based on RACQ's fuel running costs of 9.36c/km for the petrol and 8.41c/km for the diesel, you would have to drive 25,000km for 16 years to recoup the extra cost.PROS: Fuel economy is anywhere between 10-50 per cent better than a petrol equivalent; more torque means quicker acceleration and easier driving around town; better towing capacity; marginally better resale value; lower CO2 emissions per kilometre; diesel engines often last longer because of the more robust engineering.CONS: Fewer diesel pumps on servo forecourts means queuing at the servo; oily bowser pumps leave your hands smelly and dirty; the engines still clatter at idle and sound raucous at full revs; it takes a long time to reap the economic benefits; servicing charges can also be more expensive because of the more expensive oils required and the complicated fuel systems.Our Pick: Fiesta ECOnetic (from $24,990) is a hybrid beater even in stop-start commuting, yet it's a delight to drive.Others to Consider: Hyundai i30 (from $23,090), VW Golf (from $29,990), Subaru Forester (from $35,990).LPG It's almost worth it to convert your petrol or diesel vehicle to LPG just to get the $1500 Federal government subsidy. But you better be quick because the conversion rebate drops to $1250 from July 1 and decreases $250 annually. All rebates and subsidies are only for private vehicles.Conversions cost an average of $2800 for pre-2006 vehicles, but about $4000 for newer vehicles because of emissions regulations. If you buy a vehicle factory fitted for LPG before its first registration, you get a $2000 rebate from the Feds.However, choices of new vehicles with factory fitted LPG systems are limited. Ford has a new LPG Falcon coming in July and has factory-fitted systems for some of its utes. Holden has an Autogas dual-fuel injection system for its Commodore and will have a mono-fuel LPG Commodore later this year.Toyota has a direct injection LPG system for its 2.7-litre HiAce vans and Mitsubishi has an aftermarket sequential multi-port direct-injection system for its Challenger, Express Van, Pajero, Triton and the now defunct 380.PROS: Much cheaper fuel (about 60c compared with $140+ for ULP); government subsidies make conversion attractive; LPG prices are fairly static so you don't have to fill up on a Tuesday morning when servo prices are cheapest; lower emissions.CONS: Limited choice of new dual-fuel vehicles; only suitable for large vehicles; you lose boot space; even though they are safe they can develop minor smelly leaks; they add about 75kg (about the weight of two large suitcases) to the rear of the car effecting handling; it can be difficult finding servos with LPG in rural areas.HYBRID These are vehicles with petrol or diesel internal combustion engines paired with an electric motor or motors. The drivetrain and associated battery pack for the electric motor is more complex so therefore more costly. Like diesels, you need to do big kays before the savings at the bowser recoup the extra purchase price.For example, a Toyota Prius costs about $2500 more than a Corolla Ultima. Using RACQ's running costs, the fuel savings will take 4 years at 15,000km a year (or 2.5 years at 25,000km/year) to recoup the extra purchase price.Most hybrids switch off totally every time you stop and run on electric power only when you are driving slowly, so they are most economical in heavy traffic. The benefits are marginal on country roads and highways, although when both drive units are operating under heavy acceleration such as when overtaking, they do offer a tangible boost to acceleration.Despite the fact the technology has been around for 10 years, Hybrids are still relatively new. Today, there are 10 hybrid models on the market, but only the Toyota Prius, Camry, Honda Insight and Civic are affordable.Hybrids tend to be bought mainly by governments and big business to emphasise their green credentials. Taxi companies also like hybrids because of their fuel efficiency in urban environments. If you're open to the idea of a used vehicle, then a second-hand Prius or similar is a reasonable option.PROS: Cheaper to run in traffic; feel and be seen to be environmentally conscious; extra power under heavy acceleration; almost silent running when on electric only power.CONS: Higher purchase price; the number of models is limited but you can choose from a small Prius to a large Porsche Cayenne SUV; some look odd like the Prius and Insight.Our Pick: Toyota Prius (from $39,900) and the Honda Insight (from $29,990) at least look like futuristic hybrids, so your neighbours will know you are trying to be green.Others to consider: Honda Civic (from $34,490), Toyota Camry (from $36,990)ELECTRIC CARSThe only production electric cars in Australia are the Tesla Roadster at $241,938 and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV which is available only on a lease of $1740 a month for three years for a total of $62,640. Then the car goes back to Mitsubishi. When it arrives it is expected to cost $70,000.However, prices will come crashing down in the next few years as more and more EVs become available in Australia. The first of these will be the Nissan Leaf and Holden Volt next year.The Volt is expected to cost less than $40,000 and Nissan is saying the Leaf will cost about the same to run as a Tiida, even though initial outlay will probably be close to the Volt. While tailpipe emissions are zero, most electricity in Australia comes from burning dirty coal, so the environmental advantage is reduced.Some critics say there is no advantage. Current limitations of battery technology mean range is also limited to about 160km according to the car companies, but in real life it's less, especially if you have a lead foot.PROS: Very cheap to run; no tailpipe emissions; almost silent running; aerodynamic body shapes.CONS: Expensive to buy - that's if you can find one to buy; silent running can be dangerous for pedestrians; battery disposal is an environmental issue; range is limited; long re-charging time (up to eight hours); most EVs are designed to look futuristic but just end up looking like golf carts.DRIVE ECONOMICALLYOf all the things you can do to drive down your fuel bill, this is the most pragmatic as it's the simplest and most affordable. It can be expensive to swap your trusted and much-loved family car or SUV for something smaller or with an alternative powertrain.Trade-in prices on family cars are down according to the Motor Trades Association and if you buy a new car, you are up for dealer delivery charges, stamp duty and registration. It may be cheaper to hang on to your vehicle, but modify your driving behaviour for more economical running.There are many simple things you can do: Plan trips better and make fewer trips; jettison excess weight from the car; correctly inflate your tyres and get your car serviced more frequently.Most importantly you can vary your driving behaviour by slowing down, changing up the gears sooner, avoiding heavy breaking and staying away from peak-hour traffic. You may have heard these all before, but here are five radical ideas to reducing your fuel expense burden that you may not have heard.1. Cool idea: Turning off the airconditioning will provide a slight increase in fuel economy. However, when travelling on the highway, it is more fuel efficient to have the windows up and aircon switched on than having the windows down creating aerodynamic drag. Don't leave the aircon off for long periods as bacteria will build up in the system.2. Light is right: So throw out not only the unnecessary baggage such as your golf clubs, but maybe also the spare tyre. It can weigh 15-20kg in the average car. The US Department of Energy quotes fuel use as 1-2 per cent for every 45.5kg, so that's at least 0.5 per cent saved. Conversely, NRMA tests show that loading a vehicle to its rated maximum increases fuel consumption 24 per cent. While you might be able to get away without a spare tyre around town, we recommend you always carry it on long trips, especially in the country.3. Turned off: Switch off the engine at long traffic light stops. Modern fuel-injected cars start quickly without the need for any throttle. Car makers with stop-start technology that automatically switches off the engine every time the car is stopped quote fuel savings in traffic of 4-5 per cent.4. Just cruising: Use cruise control more frequently. Most cruise control systems actually put the car's engine into an economy mode and will run more efficiently than most drivers can drive as it accelerates more evenly. It is best used on the open road and not hilly terrain or stop-start conditions. While we could not find any official figures, some sources claim fuel savings up to 14 per cent.5. Re-tyre: the next time you buy tyres, choose from the new range of "eco" tyres with low rolling resistance. A California Energy Commission study estimated low-rolling resistance tyres could save 1.5-4.5 per cent on fuel consumption.

Office, rest area, tool carrier, workshop and transport, the versatile van’s sliding door thud signals knock-off for hundreds of tradespeople every day.  While much has changed beneath the skin there is precious little - by necessity - that has altered from the outside.Fundamentally these workhorses are required to carry as much as they can, so the long rectangle that passes for styling remains.  Unlike the utes that are going soft and stylish, the van goes on unchanged.Plumbers, florists, mobile mechanics, cleaners and many and varied trades still opt for the light-commercial van - many now offered in short and long-wheelbase models - for flexibility and security.Safety equipment is only becoming more common on the recently-released vans, while the older models - HiAce and Express in particular - miss out on anti-lock brakes, while the latter doesn't have an airbag standard.  But despite that, and perhaps no surprise, that Toyota has the top-selling van.The HiAce is a long-serving veteran of the segment, having been on the order books since 1970.  Ford's famous Transit van can also trace a heritage back to the early 1970s and has long been a favourite.The segment is becoming more crowded as the Europeans and the Koreans make an impression.  Citroen has had the Berlingo in the market for just over a decade and it has recently been joined by the Dispatch large vans range in 2008.The French are also represented by Citroen's sister company Peugeot (which has the Expert and Partner vans on offer) and Renault's Kangoo mini-van and full-sized Trafic.One of the key models in Fiat's return to the Australian market was the Ducato, which was followed by the Scudo.  Hyundai romped into the market in 2008 with the iLOAD and is now the second-highest seller in the van segment behind the Toyota.The Germans are represented by Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen - the Vito carries the three-pointed star into the workhorse realm, and embarrassed a few sports car drivers in the last Classic Adelaide Rally with its performance.  Volkswagen has the Caddy and the newly-updated Transporter regularly bringing it more than 200 units a month.So far this year, the light truck market (to the end of August) stands at 107,365 vehicles - up by 6822 vehicles or 6.8 per cent, assisted by increased van sales which are up 4.2 per cent or 566 vehicles.The top-selling vansToyota HiAce VanPrice: from $34,540.Engine: 2.7-litre petrol or three-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder.Transmission: five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive.Power: 111kW; 80kW.Torque: 241Nm; 286NmFuel consumption: 11.6 litres/100km (diesel 8.6), tank 70 litres.Emissions: 275g/km (diesel 225).Brakes: front discs, rear drumsDimensions: length 4695mm, width 1695mm, height 1980mm, wheelbase 2570mm, cargo volume 6000 litres, weight 1665kg.Wheels: 15-in steel wheels.Hyundai iLOADPrice: from $29,990.Engine: 2.4-litre petrol or 2.5-litre turbodiesel.Transmission: five-speed manual or automatic, rear-wheel drive.Power: 129kW; 125kW.Torque:228Nm; 392Nm.Fuel consumption: 10.1 litres/100km (diesel 8.5), tank 75 litres.Emissions: 238g/km (diesel 225).Brakes: four-wheel ventilated discs, with ABS.Dimensions: length 5125mm, width1920mm, height 1935mm, wheelbase 3200mm, track fr/rr 1685/1660mm, weight 1943-2172kg.Wheels: 16-in.Ford TransitPrice: from $35,990.Engine: 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder front-wheel drive or 2,4-litre turbodiesel rear-wheel drive.Transmission: six-speed manual.Power: 85kW; 103kW.Torque: 300Nm; 375Nm.Fuel consumption: 7.2-10.4 litres/100km, tank 80 litres.Emissions: 189-274g/km.Brakes: four-wheel disc brakes.Dimensions: length 4863-6403mm, width (incl mirrors) 2374-2492mm, height 2067-2622mm, wheelbase 2933-3750mm, cargo volume 6.5-14.3 cubic metres, weight 1700-2293kg.Wheels: 15-16-in steel.Volkswagen CaddyPrice: from $25,740.Engine: 1.6-litre petrol four-cylinder or 1.6-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder.Transmission: five-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic, front-wheel drive.Power: 75kW; 77kW.Torque: 148Nm; 250Nm.Fuel consumption: 8.2 litres/100km (diesel 6), tank  litres.Emissions: 195g/km (diesel 159).Brakes: four-wheel discs, front ventilated, with ABS.Dimensions: length 4405mm, width 1794mm, height 1833mm, wheelbase 2682mm, cargo volume 3.2 cubic metres, weight GVM 2124kg.Wheels: 15-in.Mitsubishi ExpressPrice: from $24,590.Engine: 2.4-litre SOHC 16-valve four-cylinder.Transmission: five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive.Power: 84kW @ 5000rpm.Torque: 188Nm @ 3000rpm.Fuel consumption: 10.4 litres/100km, tank 55 litres.Emissions: 248g/km.Brakes: front discs, rear drums.Dimensions: length 4505mm, width 1690mm, height 1840mm, wheelbase 2235mm, weight 1290kg.Wheels: 14-in.Volkswagen TransporterPrice: from $36,490.Engine: three versions of a two-litre DOHC 16-valve turbodiesel (single or twin) four-cylinder.Transmission: five or six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic.Power: 75kW; 103kW; 132kW.Torque: 250Nm; 340Nm. 400Nm.Fuel consumption: 7.5-8.4litres/100km, tank 80 litres.Emissions: 198-221g/km.Brakes: four-wheel discs, with ABS and ESP.Dimensions: length 4892mm (LWB 5292), width 1904mm, height 1990-2476mm, wheelbase 3000mm (LWB 3400), cargo volume 5.8-9.3 cubic metres, weight 1682-1764kg.Wheels:16-in (LWB 17-in).

Ford Australia has announced it will add the ECOnetic Transit van to its local stable, making it the second model to run under the ECOnetic sub-brand following the arrival of a Fiesta version last October. Like the micro Fiesta, the ECOnetic van runs on diesel.  It has an official average fuel consumption figure of just 7.2 litres for every 100km and produces just 189 g/km of CO2 emissions. Ford says this places it `at the forefront' of the full-size van market in terms of fuel consumption and in the lead when it comes to CO2 missions.  It is a narrow lead though. Peugeot's Expert large van is the only other van to match the Transit's 7.2L/100km fuel economy figure, but the French worker uses an extra 3 g/km of CO2 per 100km according to the official rating. The ECOnetic is considerably more efficient than the best selling vans including Hyundai's diesel iLoad which uses an average of 8.5L/100km and 225 g/km of CO2 and the Toyota HiAce that uses 8.6L/100km and 225 g/km.  The ECOnetic Transit is also considerably more efficient than the standard Transit, which uses 8.2L/100km of fuel and produces 216g/km. Like the regular Transit, the ECOnetic runs a 2.2-litre four-cylinder Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel linked up to a six-speed manual. It has been recalibrated with economy in mind, but still manages to produce the same amount of power and torque as the standard engine - 85kW at 3500revs and 300Nm from 1800 to 2000revs. Ford says the engine also uses a lower friction oil in a bid to use less fuel.  It is also speed-limited to 110km/h in order to stop the driver getting carried away and ramping up the fuel consumption.  Ford Australia spokesman, Justin Lacy, says it is unlikely the speed limiter will be a problem for drivers.  "There aren't too many Transits out there doing more than 110km/h," he says. "The limiter is a good idea because obviously the faster you are going, the more fuel you are using."  The ECOnetic Transit has a green shift indicator, which shows the driver when it is time to change gear for economical driving. It runs 16-inch wheels with more aerodynamic wheel covers and low rolling resistance tyres.  Available as a short wheelbase only, the ECOnetic Transit still has a cargo capacity of 6.55m3 and an 1172kg payload. It costs $35,490 plus on-road costs. Ford Australia marketing chief, Beth Donovan, says the ECOnetic Transit will make sense for companies considering the environment.  "We expect that the Transit ECOnetic will appeal to customers who prioritise low fuel costs while reducing their impact on the environment," Donovan says. "It is a true no compromise alternative for business owners as it has better fuel economy and lower emissions than the leading vans on offer today."

The best-selling Japanese van now lags behind the Hyundai iLoad and Mercedes-Benz Vito van for crash safety. Both the iLoad and Vito rated well in recent Australian New Car Assessment Program crash testing. The iLoad scored four-stars and the Vito five-stars, the first local commercial to get the top mark. However, the HiAce, launched in 2005, managed just three stars when it was tested in 2006.The company's senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner, admits that the HiAce needs attention. "We do have a plan to introduce increased safety technology into all our vehicles," he says. "Given that commercial has always been such a stronghold for us we can't sit back. We have to watch it very closely and keep Japan informed to ensure that we have those developments."Buttner is keen to see the HiAce either match or exceed its competition in crash safety. Toyota is the dominant local player in the light commercial van sales. This year it has sold 4585 HiAces and last year it blitzed its opposition with 9493 sold to businesses and private operators.The HiAce has dual airbags but unlike the five-star Vito, no curtain airbags or electronic stability control and anti-skid brakes are an option. The iLoad gets dual airbags and anti-skid brakes as standard. Buttner denied that Toyota's commercial vehicles were being overtaking in the safety stakes. "We're not standing still," he says. "I can't always tell you everything you'd like to know."Toyota has however, just upgraded safety equipment on its venerable 70 Series ute. The trusty workhorse now has a driver and passenger airbag but anti-skid brakes are still not available. Buttner says Toyota is looking at anti-skid brakes for the rural favourite but some rural customers had expressed concerned they should be able to switch it off for farm work. "We have some concerns from some customers," he says. "We're focused on that but there is no timetable."Toyota Australia leads the push for the dual airbags in the 70 Series."It's expensive development in that proven chassis," Buttner said. Engineers had to change the ute's steering rack angle and lengthen the front bumper to be more compatible with the airbags' deployment cycle. A side benefit is that the new four-spoke steering wheel is now adjustable for reach.Prices for the seven-model 70 Series range have risen $600, or about 1 per cent, because of the extra safety kit. The range starts from $57,640 for the cab-chassis, $58,540 for the wagon and $64,540 for the troop carrier.

However, of seven vans rated by ANCAP, just three, including the iLoad, have four-star ratings.The others are the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Volkswagen Transporter. By comparison, the best-selling Toyota Hi-Ace gets a three-star rating.ANCAP manager, Michael Case, said many work vans and other commercial vehicles still lacked proven lifesaving safety features like anti-skid brakes or electronic stability control. Few vans have them fitted as standard, he said."No commercial vehicles currently have a five-star rating, which requires excellent crash protection plus head-protecting side airbags and electronic stability control," Case said.He praised the iMax and iLoad results but said other carmakers still need to lift their game. The iMax and iLoad were crashed at 64km/h to simulate an off-set head-on collision with another car. He is also urging businesses to put safety ahead of penny-pinching when purchasing work vehicles."It's a question of occupational health and safety," he said."The OHS requirements on employers to provide a safe work environment do extend to work vehicles and that often means the commercial vehicles we're talking about." Fleet managers no longer have any excuse to buy unsafe vehicles, Case said."ANCAP is seeing mixed safety performance in its recent crash tests of van-style vehicles and the Hyundai results are good to see," he said. "It has put considerable effort into improving the safety of its vehicles and the results reflect that effort."Case also said parents who also use their work vans as family transport at weekends are risking their families' lives. "That's of particular concern," he said.Both the iLoad and iMax get dual front airbags, anti-skid brakes and electronic brake distribution as standard. The iMax also gets stability control but it is still optional on the iLoad.