The Toyota ProAce is based on the Peugeot Expert/Citroen Dispatch and goes on sale in the UK in July 2013

My 1st April post on the Toyota’s racing ambitions for the Proace may have been an April Fool, but the Japanese manufacturer’s ambition to re-enter the UK van market is serious, and its Proace van — based on the PSA Peugeot Expert — will go on sale in July.

Buyers will be able to choose from a total of 10 versions, built around two wheelbases and two roof heights, with a choice of two 1,000kg or 1,200kg payloads, three engine options, and a crew cab model. Interestingly, there will only be a single equipment grade — all Proace vans will include sliding doors on each side, 16-inch alloy wheels with wheel caps, fog lamps, daytime running lights and heated electric door mirrors.

All Proace come with driver and front passenger airbags, ABS and Vehicle Stability Control, while customers will be able to specify plain or glazed double steel rear doors and various bulkhead options. Other features include Bluetooth, electric windows, and the choice of a single front passenger seat or two-person bench, while air conditioning remains an option.

Three engines

Three Euro 5-compliant diesel engines will be available. The 89bhp 1.6-litre engine produces 180Nm of torque and is matched to a five-speed manual transmission. Two 2.0-litre diesel units are available, with outputs of 126 and 161bhp and peak torque figures of 320 and 340Nm respectively. Both of these engines come with a six-speed manual transmission.

An 80-litre fuel tank capacity and combined cycle fuel consumption figures of 44.1mpg will give the 2.0-litre versions of the ProAce a theoretical driving range of more than 770 miles before refuelling.

Proace Dimensions

The Proace will have fairly typical medium van dimensions and will be available in 4,805mm and 5,135mm lengths, with roof heights of 1,942mm and 2,276mm.

Different combinations of wheelbase and roof height will provide a load capacities ranging from 5 to 7 cubic metres, but the high roof will only be available on the long wheelbase version of the Proace.

Proace Prices

According to Toyota, launch prices will start at £22,300 (inc VAT) OTR for the basic 1.6-litre, standard roof/short wheelbase version of the Proace, and range up to £27,800 for the crew van Proace, which is only available with the 2.0D 126bhp engine.

For more details, visit www.toyota.co.uk.