4 days ago
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A hotted up Hiace can now be had using parts from Toyota’s GR catalogue – but sadly, it’s only available in Japan.
A hotted up HiAce can now be had using parts from Toyota’s Gazoo Racing catalogue – but sadly, it’s only available in Japan.
The humble Toyota HiAce is now available in Japan with parts from its Gazoo Racing high performance department.
Yes you read correctly – the previous-generation HiAce van can be had with warranty-backed go-fast bits, or at least parts making it look racier, for enthusiast delivery drivers, tradies and parcel packers in Toyota’s home country.
A GR HiAce, though? Perhaps not such a natural fit, but GR providing a racier way to deliver the goods.
While not on the cards for Australia, GR parts can now be ordered through Toyota by HiAce buyers in Japan, including styling body add-ons and upgrades in two different packages.
They start with GR Parts Version I which the car maker says is “inspired by off-road design” and costs ¥231,000 ($AU2370).
It adds a chunkier front bumper with integrated LEDs and a metal-look front bash plate, as well as a rear bumper.
Version II takes a step further, adding a splitter on the lower front bumper and side skirts on top of the Version I parts for an additional ¥143,000 ($AU1474) – but there’s more.
To complete the look, there’s a set of GR 15-inch polished six-spoke alloy wheels fitted with Goodyear Eagle F1 high performance tyres priced at ¥242,000 ($AU2494).
Before you sign for your GR package, though, there’s also a choice of red or black GR mudflaps at ¥33,000 ($AU340) a set, tyre valve caps (¥5500 ($AU57)) and a GR anti-theft number-plate frame at ¥15,510 ($AU160)
While the option of GR parts for the HiAce is new for 2025, Toyota has also offered styling packages and upgrades through its Modellista brand in Japan.
Modellista offers even more parts for the HiAce, including sports exhausts, more alloy wheel designs and interior treatments including leather seat upholstery.
As well as a hot HiAce, Modellista also offers parts for a number of Toyotas, including the HiLux and the new LandCruiser Prado.
Toyota is not the only car maker to offer commercial van buyers a taste of the racetrack – Ford currently offers a Sport version of its Transit Custom straight from the factory, complete with racing stripes and alloy wheels.
Ford also took the unofficial closed-vehicle lap record at Mount Panorama, Bathurst, in a one-off electric Transit – which it called 'Supervan 4.2' – having a history of dropping F1 engines in vans since the first Transit-bodied 'Supervan' in 1971.
