My GT7 Log: Emergency Response

Those who watched last weekend's Gran Turismo World Series Showdown Amsterdam got themselves early access to one of the new cars set to be available in the Brand Central next month and looks like they'll need to be as quick as a first responder with this one.

This is the Toyota Ambulance Himedic, a H200-spec Toyota Hiace that was converted for first responder use. It was given away to those who watched last weekend's Gran Turismo World Series Showdown, early access before it's available to purchase in Gran Turismo 7 Brand Central next month.

Based on the H200-spec Toyota Hiace, which remains in production as of now even if it was preceded by the GranAce, the Himedic high-standard ambulance is made courtesy of Toyota Customizing & Development. While it carries most of the lifesaving necessities only first responders know, the Himedic is powered by a 2TR-FE 2.7L petrol engine that produces 157HP of power while mated with an automatic gearbox.

Do you remember the story of an ambulance driver who got recruited by a racing team to become a professional driver? No? Oh wait, that was from another game but anyway, to see if the Himedic is more than just an ambulance, let's take it to Tsukuba for a quick lap. 

However, due to Japan's weather conditions, it's raining outside. Still, first responders are always ready, no matter the weather, meaning the Himedic's prepared for a wet lap. Roll the tape.

It did it in 1m35.019s (wet), meaning even in this condition, the Himedic is nearly half quicker than the Quezon City Police's response time at this place. Perhaps the Japanese first responders always arrived on the scene a half quicker than the QCPD. Huhehe...

This is Emergency Response, the GT7 way. Hope you had fun driving and personalizing the Hiace Himedic in the game.

Toyota GranAce

Thought by some to be the ideal replacement for the aging HiAce Wagon, the brand-new Toyota GranAce is the biggest luxury van offered on Japanese roads and such size will make its little brothers beg to believe that this newest offering brings out the big guns for those who are living a fancy life doing fancy things and looks like it's going to be a mouth-watering experience for those who can't wait to slap themselves to its sweet spot.

2020 Toyota GranAce

The first-ever Toyota GranAce is priced at a very expensive 6,200,000 Yen (around 62,000 Dollars) so with that kind of price tag, you can have two Voxys and a Pixis Epoch for the price of one GranAce with some extra change for some. Although it is the most expensive Toyota minibus offered in the lineup, there's no stopping the monster price tag from attracting potential high rollers and ASEAN smugglers into this new level of luxury.

2020 Toyota GranAce

Checking on the design, the GranAce's massive grille really shows its true colors as a luxury minivan that is as close as you can get to the Alphard, which is cheaper than the GranAce and better to live with. Unlike the HiAce Wagon, the GranAce utilizes a semi-bonnet form rather than a box type for health and safety purposes. Because of its new form, it's hard to distinguish if it's a van or a minivan but either way, it's worth fantasizing to have a minute of silence when you see one passing by the City of Dreams or Resorts World. It's the new van of choice for celebrities, you know.

2020 Toyota GranAce interior

2020 Toyota GranAce interior

The GranAce's biggest trump card is the interior and being bigger than the Alphard, the GranAce is no doubt one of the most luxurious vans offered on the market whether it is a six-seater or an eight-seater, there's so much to love about the GranAce's interior because the sweet spot's right in front of you and when you take a seat, you can really rest easy while you and your family are having a road trip to Tagaytay or the floating restaurant somewhere. It may be cramped on the driver's side and rear space is worth an issue in the case of Balikbayan Boxes but such problems won't be an issue to anyone who has a GranAce because the luxurious interior is what sums up best.

2020 Toyota GranAce

Such sweet spot the GranAce delivers comes with a price and here, the only engine offered is a 1GD-FTV 2.8L 4-cylinder common rail diesel engine producing 177PS of power and 450Nm of torque while mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel economy is a WLTP combined 10kmpl.

While the diesel engine is a bit of a letdown to some, the GranAce now drives better than the HiAce thanks to its TNGA platform and revised suspension settings. Although bulky for a rear-wheel drive van, it feels relatively comfortable and safer as good thanks to its Toyota Safety Sense 2.

So, would you have one rather than the Alphard? Well, the GranAce may be the most expensive Toyota van offered, but the interior is what sets them apart and you'll have fond memories about getting through its sweet spot when you're back home in the end, I want to sit in the GranAce more than the Alphard or the Hyundai Grand Starex and that is the bottom line.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Hiace/Regius Ace Type-III

Toyota Hiace/Regius Ace 2011MY

As a favorite among Philippine families, tycoons, celebrities, politicians, and the rest of the people, the Toyota Hiace (also sold in Japan as this or Regius Ace) shows that this Japanese-built commuter van does it all aside from being a limousine, a school service, a taxi, or everything else we, Filipinos, do with this Toyota van.

Now, in 2010, the fifth-generation Toyota Hiace/Regius Ace received a second facelift, calling this the Type III version of the fifth generation Hiace. Since its Japanese debut in August 2004, and entered Type II since August 2007, this Hiace keeps getting better and better and I cannot help myself getting a hold of this latest minor change.

The only thing that changed in the Type-III version of the Toyota Hiace is the new front bumper and the redesigned headlamps. The new front look truly brings the new Hiace a good stance, but still too redundant to tell if this new face suits every Philippine entrepreneur among its rival vans, including the Foton View, the Toyota Hiace clone with the Alphard's front face.

While the Regius Ace only offers in van form, the Hiace comes in three forms, the van variant for family use, the wagon variant that is perfect as a taxi, and the commuter variant that makes it a perfect school service, good enough to bring the kids heading to school. Choosing which Hiace variant suitable for you depends on your outcome of your perception and if that goes well, the Hiace makes it your perfect companion for your business.

Both the new Hiace and the new Regius Ace comes with the new 1KD-FTV engine. This 3.0L diesel turbo engine has a power output of 144PS/3,400r.p.m. and a torque output of 30.6kgf・m//1,200～3,200r.p.m. Both of these vans also offer with either a 2.0L DOHC VVT-i or a 2.7L DOHC VVT-i gasoline engine. As for the transmission, either the 4-speed automatic or the 5-speed manual transmission is available for the Hiace and Regius Ace.

My thoughts about the Hiace/Regius Ace:
With Japan offering the latest facelift of the fastest-selling Hiace van, I guess we cannot wait if Toyota Motor Philippines, Inc., would bring the revised Hiace to our shores soon. With its facelift, can the new 3.0L diesel turbo engine succeed from its commercial van rivals? I hope that this new engine is good enough against the Nissan Urvan Escapade for sure.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation