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This Mid-engined Lamborghini-inspired Toyota Quantum Is The Most Extreme ‘Hiace’ Bus Ever
This South African-built mid-engined Toyota Quantum (or Hiace)-based bus is the most extreme ever.
It is powered by a 5.0-liter 1GZ-FE from the 2nd-gen Century, a 600-hp engine that sits straight behind the front seats.
Mid-engined Quantum borrows parts from Ford Mustang, Audi R8 and Porsche 911 Carrera S of the 997 generation.
This Lamborghini-inspired conversion took about five years to build, according to the owner, James Redelinghuis.
A South African-built mid-engined Toyota Quantum (sold as HiAce in several markets) remains the most extreme bus ever. This Lamborghini Aventador-inspired conversion took about five years to build, according to the owner, James Redelinghuis.
“I thought it’d be simple,” James, who owns a company that own a fleet of Quantum taxis and rentals, told Top Gear. “Unfortunately, it appears I’ve decided to take on one of the most difficult projects there is.”
The Quantum is powered by a mass produced 5.0-liter 1GZ-FE (5.0-litre V12) from the second generation Toyota Century, a 600-horsepower engine with two turbocharger, that sits straight behind the front seats.
But the Quantum also uses some parts from other car brands, including a rear end from a Ford Mustang, a metallic bronze from an Audi R8 and a 350cc Bosch injectors from a Porsche 911 Carrera S of the 997 generation.
Inside, the Quantum uses a Sparco sports bucket seats with five-point belts, a special OMP race-spec steering wheel – a unit shared with the Ariel Atom, a digital instrument cluster and also a new central infotainment.
The South African-built mid-engined Toyota Hiace-based bus last year came up for sale on Facebook Marketplace for only R1,295,000 ($85,362)… though Autojosh can’t say whether the one-of-a-kind van was able to get a new owner.
