Updated Toyota Coaster bus rides in

TOYOTA has heavily revised its Coaster bus range with a tweak in styling, increased occupant capacity and a boost in safety equipment headlined by the inclusion of airbags for the driver and front passenger.

The use of a stronger frame to improve body structure and rigidity, high-tensile steel and a new suspension tune also contribute to incremental safety improvements, while the redesigned look slims down the front grille and modernises the front facia with more liberal use of black materials.

Inside, the Coaster has been given more space with a wider and taller cabin, improved noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels and an additional seat for a total occupant capacity of 22, as well as larger doors for easier ingress and egress.

Standard equipment across the range includes reversing camera, satellite navigation, a 95-litre fuel tank and air-conditioning, however Deluxe grades gain a sliding central door in lieu of a folding door.

All grades are powered by the same 110kW/379Nm 4.0-litre six-cylinder as before, which develops peak power at 2700rpm and maximum torque at 1800rpm, and feature a top speed of 100km/h.

With the advancements, Toyota is expected to readjust pricing but has yet to reveal what extent it will change.

The current Coaster kicks off at $116,690 before on-roads for the Standard five-speed manual, moves up to $120,770 for the Deluxe five-speed manual and tops out at $127,910 for the four-speed automatic-equipped Deluxe.

Two variants will be available in the new range, starting with a five-speed manual and optional four-speed auto Standard and will be headlined by the automatic-only Deluxe, according to Toyota Australia product public relations manager Stephen Coughlan.

Mr Coughlan also explained the variant reshuffle was a result of consumer feedback.

“So currently, if you buy a Standard grade you can only get it in manual, and it’s the Deluxe that’s available in both manual and auto,” he said.

“From this major update, the Standard grade customers will have the availability as the optional auto as well – and that’s based on customer request and demand – and we’ve deleted the low-selling manual version of the Deluxe variant.”

All Coasters are covered by Toyota’s capped-price servicing program, which is set at $360, and they are due to hit local showrooms in the next months.

Toyota first introduced its Coaster bus to Australia in 1977, meaning this year marks the nameplate’s 50th anniversary. Globally, the Japanese car-maker has sold over 550,000 units of its bus, while Toyota Australia has moved just over 20,000.

Last year Toyota sold 215 Coasters, placing it second – and last – in the light bus over 20 seats segment behind the Mitsubishi Rosa Bus on 367.