Toyota Town Ace Gets An Off-Road Makeover With Papamama Cars' Mount Ace Conversion
by AutoExpert | 9 October, 2024
The Toyota Town Ace, a compact van mostly sold in Asia, has gotten a rugged makeover courtesy of Japanese tuner Papamama Cars. Their "Mount Ace" conversion kit takes this unassuming van and gives it a tougher exterior, an upgraded interior, and the ability to tackle some off-road terrain.
The current model, which has been around since 2007, is essentially a rebadged version of the Daihatsu Gran Max and Mazda Bongo, both built in Indonesia. For those who find its original look a little too soft, Papamama Cars, based in Osaka, offers a serious facelift that’s anything but cute.
The most noticeable change with the Mount Ace is its aggressive new front end, which looks like it's taken design cues from the Lexus GX SUV. It features a redesigned grille, beefier bumper intakes, and an aluminum-style skid plate.
Darkened headlights, a bulkier hood, and front fenders give it a more rugged, off-road-ready look. Apart from a Toyota decal on the tailgate—borrowed from the Hilux—the rest of the van’s body remains mostly untouched.
To make it off-road capable, the van gets a suspension lift and chunky Maxxis Mudder Buckshot tires. The van boasts a vibrant yellow paint job, with additional color options available, and an optional roof rack for enhanced utility.
Inside, there are new seat covers, thicker floor mats in a variety of colors, and tech upgrades like a touchscreen infotainment system, navigation, and a digital rearview mirror with live camera feed. The rear seats fold flat, creating a spacious cargo area, and for those who want to turn it into a camper, there’s even an optional bed kit.
Despite all the visual and functional changes, the Mount Ace keeps its original engine—a 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine pushing out 95 horsepower, paired with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.
You can stick with the standard rear-wheel drive or opt for the full-time 4WD version. Papamama Cars says a fully converted Mount Ace will cost about 3.2 million yen, or around $22,200, but buyers can pick and choose modifications if they prefer. The idea behind the conversion? To add some personality and fun to everyday family vans and commercial vehicles, making them as exciting to look at as they are to drive.
