TOYOTA
PROBOX
The
Corolla and Camry might be among the most popular cars in the world, but Toyota
also makes a few vehicles that very few people have ever heard of. Toyota
released details of new generation of the PROBOX, which are designed to appeal
to the domestic market.
These
come 13 year after the first generations arrived on the scene in Japan and
bring a host of new features. The model are based on the same platform and are
powered by 1.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engines with CVT gearboxes as standard,
which replaces the 4-speed auto and the 5-speed manual of the older models.
Either front- or all-wheel drive is fitted, but the cheaper PROBOX also comes
with a small 1.3-liter engine. Toyota has also updated the suspension, adding a
trailing link axle at the back, the brakes and stability control.
All
engines come with start / stop technology to make them cheap to run and tax,
but output varies between 95 (1.3-litre) and 109 hp (1.5-litre), depending on
the setup chosen.
The
cabin is dotted with storage spaces and the central cup holder can even take a
1-liter square milk box. The front seats of this these 5-door minivan can
recline by up to 76 degrees and the rear ones fold flat to create a bigger bay.
PROBOX
launched on September 1st 2013 and built
by the Daihatsu factory in Kyoto. Prices for the PROBOX start at 1,317,600 yen,
Weird as they might look, they will play a big role in Japan, also maybe in
Peru, Bolivia, where the PROBOX is commonly used as a taxi.
