Toyota has added a 10-seater to its Quantum minibus range that doesn't require the professional driving permit required for the 12-seater.
It comes with either a 2.7-litre petrol engine or a 2.5-litre turbodiesel, each with a five-speed manual transmission, and is intended for the hospitality industry and staff transport.
The body is shorter and has a lower roof than the 14-seater and its passengers sit in a 2-2-3-3 configuration with two front doors, a sliding side door and a large tail door.
Power windows and mirrors, a radio/CD and air-conditioning with 12 vents and separate controls for front ands rear are standard and the lower roof allows access to most garages
The new model has a shorter body and lower roof than the 14-seater version
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The 10-seater has anti-lock brakes, front crash bags, a three-point belt for each seat, remote-controlled central locking linked to an alarm and anti-theft microdots.
The 10-seater proved adequately powered and surprisingly stable at the legal limit on a short run from Durban to Pennington along secondary roads and back along the freeway, with three people aboard.
My first run was in the 111kW, variable camshaft petrol version with its claimed 241Nm, almost 80 percent of which is available from 1400-5000rpm.
Then I drove the 75kW turbodiesel, rated at 260Nm from 1600-2400rpm; it pulled willingly and cruised easily at 120km/h.
Each was easy to control with medium power steering, powerful braking, a comfortable ride and good handling with little body roll for such a large vehicle
The interior is simple and functional with plenty of stash areas
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Noise levels were low, except when flogged.
The interior is simple and functional with plenty of stash areas, including a large upper glove compartment, a smaller, lower-mounted glove compartment, an under-fascia tray and several smaller storage areas.
The large instrument panel uses analogue gauges, the gearshifter sprouts from the fascia, ventilation and heating controls are on the centre stack.
Toyota has also refreshed the Quantum's appearance with new upholstery colours, a cupholder for each passenger and magazine nets on the seat backs of the first three rows. There's carpeting in place of the 14-seater's PVC mat and a centre console with storage space has been added between the front seats.
The 10-seater Quantum comes with a three-year or 100 000km warranty and a five-year or 90 000km service plan. Service intervals are 10 000km for both engines.
