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15/10/2010
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Toyota LandCruiser played a big part in introducing an unknown Japanese automotive marque to Australia 60 years ago. A marque that has since become famed for quality and reliability; so much so that Toyota is now the number one selling brand in Australia.
The Japanese giant designs and builds cars in Australia these days and not only sells them here but also employs many thousands of people and brings in valuable export dollars.
It all began with a rough and tough 4WD called the LandCruiser and Toyota has just introduced a special edition of the Cruiser to celebrate its 60th anniversary here.
This special edition Toyota LandCruiser provides over $5000 of extra equipment compared with the LandCruiser 200 Series GXL on which it is based. Added features include leather-accented interior, premium steering wheel and shift lever, Bluetooth-compatible touch-screen satellite navigation with a four-CD changer. Externally there are silver roof rails and 60th anniversary badges.
The twin-turbo V8 diesel special edition model has an effective price increase of only $76 because it also gains the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which is normally a $3250 option. All twin-cam V8 petrol LandCruisers have KDSS as standard.
Exterior paint colours feature the new Shimmer Blue, which is unique to the special-edition model. Buyers can also choose Crystal Pearl that was previously exclusive to the Sahara, or Graphite.
Prices for the 60th Anniversary petrol model start at $79,990 plus on-road costs.
Though many LandCruisers are used in real outback conditions, the majority are going to be used in the suburbs, not the bush. However, the LandCruiser is not really suited to tight inner city conditions. It is long and wide, and even worse, it feels bulky and driving one is more like piloting a light truck not a passenger car.
From a driving point of view, visibility is good in all directions, even around the front windscreen pillars, the latter an often forgotten benefit in buying an SUV instead of a car.
Getting in and out of a Toyota LandCruiser 200 series is awkward at times as it's quite a climb up to the seats and they are set a good distance inboard. The interior is spacious and the LandCruiser 200 can seat up to eight people. Six can be adults, though four plus four children is more realistic.
The second-row seats can slide backwards and forwards to juggle the amount of legroom. When they are all the way back the legroom they provide is limo-like. Naturally, the third row seats are very cramped when you slide the centre row all the way back.
Headroom in the latter two rows of seats could provide problems with tall travellers, or occupants of an average height who want to wear their Akubras.
The two rearmost seats fold up against the side of the luggage area when not in use and there's still plenty of luggage space between them when they are stowed. Even with the seats in use you can fit a fairly hefty suitcase behind them.
In-cabin stowage space is very good, with a deep centre-console box, large door pockets that can take voluminous drinks bottles and numerous little nooks and crannies for sunglasses, mobiles, wallets and the like.
Some may find the Toyota LandCruiser is too soft in its handling and that the steering is on the slow side, but sharp dynamics were never high in the design agenda of this rugged offroader. Naturally, the suspension gives good articulation for tough off-road conditions. Indeed, far more owners are looking for comfort than for sporty handling so the Japanese engineers have been true to their buyers.
Cruising in the Cruiser is comfortable if the driver doesn't hurry it along as the suppression of NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) is impressive. The big Toyota off-roader has (almost) the sort of luxurious feel you get from an upmarket passenger car.
Primary safety in the LandCruiser 200 is assisted by ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and ABS brakes on all models.
It's good to see Toyota Australia respecting its heritage with a special edition LandCruiser 200 and we are sure buyers will find the extras add to their comfort whether they are on the road or way off it. |
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