Toyota Coaster in PH to get new 2.8L turbo-diesel engine?

If there's one vehicle from Toyota that doesn't get that much attention, it's most likely the Coaster minibus. Despite not being the most popular vehicle in the brand's lineup, that doesn't mean Toyota has completely ignored customers who actually get the Coaster.

In fact, it looks like the Toyota Coaster will get a new turbo-diesel engine in the not-so-distant future. Recently, we received information that Toyota acquired regulatory approval for a new heavy-duty vehicle. It will be powered by a 2755cc diesel-powered engine and will have a reference weight between 2505 and 2545 kg.

After doing some cross-checking and research, it appears the Coaster will soon be powered by Toyota's 2.8L 1GD-FTV turbo-diesel engine. But wait a moment, doesn't the Coaster already come with the Hino-derived 4.0L N04C-VQ turbo-diesel inline-four?

Well, over in Japan, Toyota has already stopped production of Coaster models that use the 4.0L N04C-VQ engine since February 2022. The automaker has since switched to using the 2.8L 1GD-FTV moving forward. But just how much power does the 1GD-FTV make compared to the N04C-VQ?

Despite the Hino-derived engine having a bigger 4-liter displacement, the smaller 2.8L engine actually generates more power and torque with 175 PS at 3400 rpm and 420 Nm at 1600 – 2800 rpm. In comparison, the 4.0L turbo-diesel only makes 136 PS at 2500 rpm and 390 Nm of torque at 1400 rpm.

Since the 2.8L 1GD-FTV can make power despite having a smaller displacement, it's no wonder Toyota decided to stop using the Hino-derived engine. However, another possible reason why the Coaster switched to the 1GD-FTV is the fact that Hino was caught cheating on emissions certification years ago.

One of the engines involved in the Hino fiasco was the N04C-VQ turbo-diesel which powers not just the Toyota Coaster but also several Hino vehicles. As a result of Hino's emissions controversy, Toyota and Isuzu kicked out Hino from the Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT), an enterprise Hino co-founded.

With Toyota Motor Philippines already receiving regulatory approval for a new heavy-duty vehicle with a 2755cc turbo-diesel engine, it might not be long before the automaker quietly launches the Coaster that's powered by the new 2.8L 1GD-FTV engine.