Pictured by Thailand’s Headlightmag in a series of low quality and blurrily images on the back of several transporters, the all-new HiAce, as indicated by the prior images, retains its trademark boxy silhouette, but with styling taken from the more premium Alphard/Vellfire, as well as the European-spec ProAce and ProAce Verso, a badge engineered version of the Peugeot Traveller/Expert, Citroën Space Tourer/Dispatch and the new Opel Zafira Life/Vivaro. At rear, elements from the current HiAce remain such as the expansive window and vertical taillights.

A big departure from previous generations however is that the HiAce now adopts a semi-bonnet design, a layout last used in Japan for the more luxury focused Granvia that spawned the HiAce Reguis, Grand HiAce and Touring HiAce between 1995 and 2002, whereas a cab-over layout has been the norm until now.

While the Granvia eventually made to Europe and Australia as the HiAce SBV, it seemingly appears that the new HiAce will ditch this configuration for the first time in its 52 year history, reportedly as a result of new crash test requirements.

Based on the images, the HiAce will be offered in panel van and multi-seat Commuter specification, though expect a more luxurious version to become available at some point, possibly carrying the GranAce moniker and with less seats in the same mould as the Mercedes-Benz V-class.

In addition to a dramatic overhaul of its interior and safety systems the HiAce will finally drop the archaic assortment of petrol and diesel engines in favour of the 2.4 GD-6 and 2.8 GD-6 oil burners used in the Hilux and Fortuner. Also a possibility is the 221kW 3.5-litre V6 used in the Alphard/Vellfire, but expect this option to be offered solely in Japan and in the more premium models.

As before, the HiAce will go on sale in a variety of wheelbase options with drive either going to the rear or all-four wheels, transmitted to the ground via a five-or-six-speed manual gearbox, as well as a six-speed automatic.

So far, it remains open to speculation as to whether Toyota South Africa will bring the new HiAce to market badged as the Quantum, given that production of the current model takes place at its Prospecton Plant outside Durban. If indeed approved though, only expect it to arrive sometime next year.