For the first time in South Africa; Toyota’s medium-sized people mover, the Coaster, makes its market debut. The Coaster fills the gap in the line-up left between the LWB Quantum (16-seater) and Hino 300-based bus conversions, and provides South African bus and tour operators a unique mobility solution.
History of Coaster
The first-generation Coaster was introduced in 1969 as a single-deck mini-bus, seating 17. Various iterations of the Coaster have been offered, with seating capacity ranging from 17 to 26. The second and third generations followed in 1982 and 1993 respectively.
The current fourth-generation model went on sale in 2017, and featured an increase in length, width and window height – it was also the first model to be designed by Toyota’s incorporated Commercial Vehicle (CV) company.
Engine & Drivetrain
Powering the Coaster is the 4.0-litre, inline-four N04C turbodiesel engine – delivering 100kW at 3000 rpm and 353 Nm at 1600rpm. This Hino-sourced engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels.
Layout & Seating
A 23-seater layout has been adopted (including driver), with six single-file seats on the passenger side, six double-seats on the driver side and a four-seater bench in the rear – offering seating for 22 passengers.
Spec & Features
While the focus is on passenger comfort, the Coaster features simple-to-use and robust switchgear around the driver. A tilt & telescopic steering wheel, Multi-Information Display (MID), 12-volt power outlet and Toyota audio system with Aux and USB functionality are included. The Toyota Connect in-car telematics and Wi-Fi system (with complimentary 15GB) is naturally part of the product offering.
Safety specification includes ABS, Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) as well as driver and passenger airbags.
The model is only available in White, accompanied by the regulatory mini-bus stickers and chevron demarcation. The interior is finished in highly-durable PVC, for both seat and floor trim. Similarly, Urethane has been employed on the steering wheel and gear lever.
Model Line-up and Pricing
Coaster 4.0D 5MT LWB – R899,900
Coaster models are sold with a 6-services/60 000 km service plan (intervals set at 10 000 km) and 3-year/100 000km warranty. Customers can also purchase a variety of service and/or warranty add-ons at their local dealership.
Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) celebrated another production milestone today, when the 400 000th unit of the current Volkswagen Polo rolled off the production line in Kariega (formerly Uitenhage).
By the time the 400 000th Polo rolled off the production line, the plant had produced a total of 61 635 Polos and 10 373 Polo Vivos this year.
This is a proud moment for our team, who have proven their dedication to delivering for our customers in abroad and in South Africa.
– Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director, VWSA
This achievement comes less than four years after the plant began manufacturing the current Polo model in September 2017. Of the 400 000 Polos manufactured locally since 2017, 73 786 vehicles were made for the local market and 326 214 were built for export. The Polos built in Kariega are exported to all right-hand-drive markets worldwide, while VWSA also supplements production for left-hand-drive markets.
“This is a proud moment for our team, who have proven their dedication to delivering for our customers in abroad and in South Africa,” said Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director at VWSA. “I would like to thank every employee, whether on the production line, in the office or working from home, for continuously striving for excellence. This milestone could not have happened without their contributions.”
As the days get shorter, and the nights get longer, many motorists will find themselves driving when it is still dark on the road. To keep safe, drivers will need to turn on the car’s headlights earlier than they would during the summer time.
Ensure the car’s headlights are working properly and remember to switch the headlights off when you reach your destination. Park facing a wall if you can, so that the reflection of the lights act as a reminder to switch them off.
Mitsubishi’s all-new seven-seater Xpander is set to take the highly competitive South African market by storm.
Combining the traditional versatility and practicality of a multipurpose vehicle (MPV) with the rugged and sporty looks of a sport-utility vehicle (SUV), Mitsubishi’s all-new seven-seater Xpander is set to take the highly competitive South African market by storm.
“As the name suggests, the much anticipated Xpander is all about broadening one’s horizons, whether that be in terms of lifestyle choices, or family dynamics,” explains Nic Campbell, General Manager of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA). “With the introduction of this very exciting addition to our line-up, we hope to strengthen our positions in both the MPV and compact SUV segments of the local market.”
The interior of the new Xpander might be all MPV, but the exterior screams SUV, so it’s equally well suited to everyday commuting, family road trips, and leisure activities. In addition, its stylish ruggedness and practicality mean you can take on a variety of terrains in confidence, without having to compromise on comfort.
There are two models in the local line-up. Both feature a 1.5-litre engine and the main difference between the two is the use of either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.
Exterior – a striking first impression
With sporty alloy wheels – 15-inch on the manual model and 16-inch of the automatic derivative – and wide flared fenders, the Xpander portrays toughness and power from the first glance. Crystal clear headlights, daytime running lights, and L-illuminated LED taillights that extend onto the tailgate add to the overall look.
The Xpander’s higher ground clearance of 205 mm is another feature that is immediately noticeable and emphasizes its sporty, but practical character.
Interior – ‘Omotenashi’ in every detail
Mitsubishi strongly believes in the principle of ‘Omotenashi’ – a Japanese word that captures the way in which Japanese hosts pay attention to detail and anticipate the needs of their guests. This approach is evident in the cabin of the all-new Xpander, which provides ample space for up to seven adults to travel in comfort and style.
The flexible seating can be configured to suit a variety of needs, ranging from carrying passengers and luggage to transporting lifestyle-focused items. The second-and third-row seats have a 60/40 split, while the seats of the third row can be folded completely flat and stowed to create additional space in the cargo area. The latter also features a floor box with a lid for the safe storage of smaller items.
Creature comforts – features to make your passengers comfy
Occupant comfort is further enhanced through full automatic air-conditioning with a manual rear overhead cooler, electric windows all round, USB port in the front, 120 Watt power sockets to supply every row of seating, and clever storage compartments under the seats to ensure that personal items are out of the way but within easy reach.
Driver comfort is ensured through a tilt and telescopic multifunction steering wheel that features Bluetooth voice control for hands-free communication and a multi-information display. The rear-view camera has a high resolution that delivers optimal visibility and a wide field of vision.
The all-new Xpander is powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC 16-valve aluminium block engine. This spirited powerplant features Mitsubishi’s Intelligent Innovative Valve Timing Lift Electronic Control (MIVEC) system and ECI multipoint fuel injection and pushes out 77 kW at 6 000 r/min, with 141 Nm of peak torque on tap at 4 000 r/min.
With a fuel tank of 45 litres, the average fuel consumption in a combined cycle is 6.9 litres/100 km for the manual model and 7.0 litres/100 km for the automatic derivative.
Safety – technology where it’s needed most
Befitting its status as a people carrier, the all-new Xpander features a range of innovative safety features as standard. Designed to protect not only the driver and passengers but other road users as well, these include airbags for the driver and front passenger, seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), as well as an impact-absorbing structure at the front-end of the vehicle. Additional safety for young occupants is provided through ISOFIX child seat anchors.
The Xpander also benefits from coming-home and welcome lights which enhance its overall safety, security, and practicality.
Warranty and service – added peace of mind
The new Mitsubishi Xpander is covered by a three-year/100 000 km manufacturer’s warranty and a two-year/30 000 km service plan. The price also includes five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance. Service intervals are set at 15 000 km/1 Year whichever comes first.
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