- Japanese tuner Papamama Cars transforms the Toyota Town Ace van into the rugged Mount Ace.
- The new front end draws inspiration from the Lexus GX, and is combined with an upgraded interior.
- Mud-terrain tires and a suspension lift kit significantly enhance the van’s off-road capabilities.
The Toyota Town Ace, a small cab-over van primarily sold in Asian markets, has caught the attention of a Japanese tuner called Papamama Cars. They offer an intriguing conversion package, transforming the van into the “Mount Ace” with a tougher exterior, an upgraded interior, and off-road tires.
The current generation of the Toyota Town Ace that has been around since 2007 is essentially a rebadged version of the Indonesian-built Daihatsu Gran Max and Mazda Bongo. For those unimpressed by the stock model’s cutesy face, Papamama Cars in Osaka offers a complete makeover that’s anything but adorable.
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The standout feature of the Mount Ace is its redesigned front end. The grille, bumper intakes, and aluminum-style skid plate are clearly inspired by the new Lexus GX SUV. Darkened clusters grace the custom headlights, while the new hood and front fenders give it a chunkier, more rugged stance. Aside from the Toyota decal on the tailgate—borrowed from the Hilux—the rest of the body remains untouched.
The van’s off-road aspirations are clear from its suspension lift kit and the chunky Maxxis Mudder Buckshot tires. The vehicle’s transformation is finished off with a vibrant yellow paint job (one of several options) and an optional roof rack for good measure.
Inside, we find new seat covers and thicker floor mats available in multiple colors. Papamama didn’t stop at aesthetics either; tech upgrades include an aftermarket infotainment touchscreen, a navigation system, and a digital mirror that streams footage from a rear-view camera.
The rear seats of the Mount Ace can fold flat, creating a massive luggage compartment, suitable for transporting all kinds of equipment. Furthermore, the optional bed kit improves the van’s camping-friendly credentials.
Besides the suspension tweaks, the company doesn’t mention any performance modifications, meaning that the small van retains the stock powertrain, which is mounted under the front seats. The naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine produces 95 hp (71 kW / 97 PS), and is mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Besides the standard rear-wheel-drive configuration, the Town Ace is also available with a full-time 4WD system.
Papamama Cars estimates a fully converted Mount Ace will set you back around 3,198,000 yen or about $22,200 at current exchange rates, but the modifications can also be ordered piecemeal, depending on the owner’s preferences. The tuner’s mission? To inject some personality into family vans and LCVs, making them as fun to look at as they are to drive.
H/T to Creative Trend
