Coaster 4th Generation

By Daniels Ekugo

Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja played hosts to retinue of visitors within November 21 and 23, 2017, when Toyota Nigeria Limited held an exclusive auto show, for the display of what it called ‘wonders on wheels from the stable of Toyota’. The Auto Show was aimed at bringing different models of the Toyota brand closer to the public.

In a chat with the Public Relations and Advert Manager, Toyota Nigeria, Mrs. Bukunola Ogunnusi, she said “the auto show offered a platform for customers to experience the wide range of vehicles from Toyota, and to showcase the beauty and elegance of the engineering mastery of Toyota craftsmanship imbued in all its models.

“The Landcruiser and Avensis, which had recently received aesthetic touch-ups, were lined up for the exhibition. The touch and feel also included other siblings of these magnificent wonder on wheels namely the Yaris, Corolla and the Hilux; a workhorse described as ‘Beyond Tough’ for its resilience and strength to take on any terrain,” Ogunnusi said.

The electrifying beauty of the bespoke environment played a stand out podium for the new Coaster bus which has undergone a complete overhaul to reflect modern trends in engineering and design after about 24 years and like a newly crowned British Monarch, wheeled majestically into the prestigious auto fair ground.

At birth in 1963, the bus was named Toyota Light Bus. Six years after (1969), it was baptised with the name, Coaster. In 1982 Toyota Motor Corporations rolled out a second generation after making certain updates. The bus went through another generation change in 1993. What Toyota Nigeria revealed to the motoring public is the fourth generation Coaster, a bus that is capable of further entrenching Toyota brand’s leadership position in the nation’s commercial vehicle market.

The seat covers on the EX model combine synthetic leather and fabric with double stitching so as to create a sense of luxury. The seat cushions also use low-rebound polyurethane to improve comfort when seated. Aside coming with new ceiling racks that are 140mm further away from passengers’ heads, the new Coaster’s cabin space has been heightened by 60 mm. Its windows have been moved outwards by approximately 40 mm, thus providing enough space for passengers to rest their elbows.

In addition, to create a comfortable and open passenger space, its side windows’ height has been increased by 50mm. The distance between the bus’ room racks and its roof has been increased by 60 mm to improve storage, and looking at its windshield openings, they have been made wider for a better road visibility. There are also multi-angle mirrors for easier maneuverability.

According to Toyota, to ensure that occupants of the new Coaster experience quietness on wheel, the bus comes with improved body rigidity due to the ringed body frame and adjustments to engine. The new bus’ suspension features front and rear stabilizers, as well as optimized shock-absorber damping forces. Together with the improved body rigidity, this helps to realize a stable ride.

New Coaster’s major safety breakthrough is coming with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), as standard. And according to Toyota, the new Coaster is first to be equipped with VSC in its segment. The bus also comes with other safety features, including: driver and front passenger’s airbags as well as seatbelts with pretensioners, meant to reduce forces on occupants’ chests.

The new model is said to be powered by 4.0 litre engine, sourced from Hino, Toyota’s truck subsidiary. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. From all indications, the fourth generation Coaster is not the exact Coaster we used to know. It is more muscular. It is bigger, taller, safer, roomier and indeed better-looking.