Toyota has finally launched the all-new Lite Ace in the Philippines. Sad to say, it is a disappointment for some people as they were expecting the revival of a classic family-oriented van. With that, let’s see how it transformed from a family mover to a business companion.
The Lite Ace nameplate was once very popular in the Philippines, especially in the late 80s. Some even say it was the ultimate barkada mobile. And for most, it was a family favorite.
Fast forward to now, the Lite Ace has seen many generations. It’s no longer the family-oriented van we used to love. Now, it has been reclassified to a light commercial vehicle (LCV). As such, it is designed to cater to business needs.
Interestingly, despite the change in classification and purpose, the humble lite ace remains the same mechanically. In fact, it is basically the same compact, front-engine, and rear-wheel-drive vehicle with few mechanical components.
Starting with the engine, the all-new Lite Ace still sports a 1.5-liter engine. This time, however, the power output is much better. The 2NR-VE DOHC engine is capable of 98 hp and 134 Nm of torque, way better than the 64 hp and 110 Nm of torque from the old 5K OHV engine.
The same goes for the transmission and the brake setup. The new model comes with the old and reliable 5-speed manual transmission, as well as the classic combination of disc and drum for brakes.
Meanwhile, the suspension has been upgraded. Gone is the 4-link coil suspension at the rear. The new model comes with a 5-link coil suspension which is better in absorbing bumps. As for the pickup variant, it comes with a leaf spring suspension which is more suited for heavy loads.
In addition, the all-new model comes with safety features such as Anti-lock Brakes (pickup) and Traction Control (panel van). These features have never been seen in the previous generations.
Toyota Lite Ace Price Philippines
The Toyota Lite Ace has an SRP of around Php 500,000 during the ‘80s. Meanwhile, the all-new model retails at Php 570,000 for the pickup variant and Php 655,000 for the panel van variant.
As part of its transformation, the new Lite Ace will now compete with the likes of the Suzuki Carry, Mitsubishi L300, and Hyundai H100. On the other hand, its competitors back then were the Mitsubishi Space Wagon, Nissan Vanette, and Toyota Tamaraw FX.
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