Toyota Coaster
Encyclopedia
The Toyota Coaster is a minibus
produced by Toyota Motor Corporation
. It was introduced in 1969, with the second generation introduced in 1982, followed by the third generation in 1993. The third generation Coaster received a facelift in 2001 and again in 2007.
Since 1996, the Toyota Coaster is also sold with the name Hino Liesse II.
of the time. Early models used the 2.0-liter Toyota R engine
with 4-speed manual transmission
. Subsequent models used a variety of 4 and 6-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, and an option of automatic transmission
was later introduced.
In August 1997, Toyota "Coaster Hybrid EV" minibus was launched, ahead of Prius
. The Coaster Hybrid, according to Toyota, became its first production hybrid vehicle. Production of the Coaster Hybrid continued until 2007.
The LPG Coaster, fueled by liquefied petroleum gas, was developed specifically for the Hong Kong
market and its air pollution problems. It emits less harmful gas, and totally eliminates black smoke and suspended particle emissions.
The Coaster is very common not only in Japan, Hong Kong and Australia, but also in the developing world, where its reliability and cost effectiveness has made it a mainstay for minibus operators in Africa
, the Middle East
, and the Caribbean
. It is widely used in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
, Bolivia
as public transportation. These buses are imported mainly from Asia and had to have the steering wheel moved to the left and the passenger door to the other side.
The chassis of the Toyota Coaster is also used on the Salvador Caetano
Optimo and sold in Europe.
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
produced by Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation
, , , commonly known simply as Toyota and abbreviated as TMC, is a multinational automaker headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. In 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation employed 317,734 people worldwide, and was the world's largest automobile manufacturer by production.The company was founded by...
. It was introduced in 1969, with the second generation introduced in 1982, followed by the third generation in 1993. The third generation Coaster received a facelift in 2001 and again in 2007.
Since 1996, the Toyota Coaster is also sold with the name Hino Liesse II.
History
The Toyota Coaster was introduced in 1969 as a 17-passenger minibus using the same running gear as the Toyota DynaToyota Dyna
The Toyota Dyna is a light truck for commercial use. In the Japanese market, the Dyna is sold alongside its twin called Toyoace. The original Toyoace of 1956 was an improvement over the Toyopet SKB Truck...
of the time. Early models used the 2.0-liter Toyota R engine
Toyota R engine
The Toyota R family was a series of straight-4 gasoline engines. Designed for longitudinal use in such vehicles as the Celica and Hilux and in production from 1953 through 1995, use faded out as many of Toyota's mainstream models moved to front-wheel drive...
with 4-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
. Subsequent models used a variety of 4 and 6-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, and an option of automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
was later introduced.
In August 1997, Toyota "Coaster Hybrid EV" minibus was launched, ahead of Prius
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...
. The Coaster Hybrid, according to Toyota, became its first production hybrid vehicle. Production of the Coaster Hybrid continued until 2007.
The LPG Coaster, fueled by liquefied petroleum gas, was developed specifically for the Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
market and its air pollution problems. It emits less harmful gas, and totally eliminates black smoke and suspended particle emissions.
The Coaster is very common not only in Japan, Hong Kong and Australia, but also in the developing world, where its reliability and cost effectiveness has made it a mainstay for minibus operators in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, and the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. It is widely used in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the capital of the Santa Cruz department in eastern Bolivia and the largest city in the country...
, Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
as public transportation. These buses are imported mainly from Asia and had to have the steering wheel moved to the left and the passenger door to the other side.
The chassis of the Toyota Coaster is also used on the Salvador Caetano
Salvador Caetano
Grupo Salvador Caetano, SGPS, SA is a Portuguese holding based in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal that controls some enterprises on vehicle assembly, components and distribution business....
Optimo and sold in Europe.