There is no end to the power and reliability of a Land Cruiser. Toyota announces 2017 refinements
The ever-so-powerful Land Cruiser 200 has been given even more power in the 2017 edition as announced last week by Toyota South Africa.
Known among discerning Namibian drivers for its bespoke eloquence, the Land Cruiser 200’s durable V8 now puts out 22 kW more taking the improved horses to 195 kW, at a comfortable 3400 rpm.
The Land Cruiser 200 has kept is 4.5 litre, 32-valve DOHC, 8-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, the same as in the double cab bakkie and the Lexus, but subtle refinements have enabled the engineers to tap a little more power from an engine that is already a legend in offroad capability and luxury.
The top model Land Cruisers may be more refined than its workhorse cousin on the farm, but the ancestry and the genetics are the same. To drive home this point, Toyota has improved the 200’s tractive force by 35 newton metres, taking it to an unbelievable 650 NM available from as low as 1600 rpm to 2600 rpm.
Land Cruisers are not known for frugality so Toyota, understandably, is very quiet on fuel consumption. A Land Cruiser owner has to come to terms with the fact that running costs can be painful but can find solace in the knowledge that this car will almost never become stuck. It is like a refined tank, something that can not be explained to a person who has never owned a Land Cruiser.
A 6-speed automatic transmission transmits the power to all four wheels, via a low-range transfer case. Regardless of the Land Cruiser’s ostensible pedigree and breeding, it remains an extremely capable off-road vehicle, not baulking at Namibia’s rocky desert roads, or the deepest sand along the coastline.
Two model grades for the 200 are available, the GX which now retails for around N$1 million and the VX-R which goes for closer to N$1.4 million.
It is a hefty prices tag but vehicle is only for the discerning owner who does not want to sacrifice either brute power, or stylish refinement.
GX models carry roof rails, has a centre console coolbox, comes with a rear tonneau cover as well as rear park distance control. The VX-R versions also sports the roof rails, has self-folding electric exterior mirrors, and an integrated towbar.
Except for the refinements to the power plant, both models are essentially the same as the 2016 editions.
