After 24 years, the Toyota Coaster has entered a new generation, with bigger, stronger, boxier body, and modern safety features.
The new Coaster has high tensile steel plates, a ringed body frame that unifies the roof, floor frame and side walls, and now complies with the ECE regulation 66 rollover standard.
New active safety features include stability control, airbags for the driver and front passenger, and seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters.
With taller, squarer body, the new Coaster has a wider windshield, taller side glass, 60mm (2.4 inches) of extra standing height, taller entry steps, windows that are 40mm (1.6 inches) further to the side, and new ceiling racks that are 140mm (5.5 inches) further away from people’s heads.
The range topping EX has synthetic leather seats with double stitching, and low rebound polyurethane cushions.
All fourth generation Coaster models have a N04C-VK 4-liter 4-cylinder direct injection turbo-diesel engine with 110kW (148hp) and 420Nm (310 lb-ft). All models are RWD with either 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.
There are two wheelbase choices, and bus and van configurations. Seating goes from 24 to 29 adults, or 3 adults with 39 or 49 children, or 9 adults with 1,250kg (2,755 lb) of load carrying.
The new Coaster is available now in Japan in six different colors, with prices starting at ¥5,940,000 (US$55,400) and ending at ¥8,623,800 (US$80,900).
