24
FArM WHeeLs
November 2012
$350,000 for two Toyotas Sitting at home recently I had two Toyota’s with a combined value of nearly $350,000. OK as you see from the photo one was a Lexus, though journalistic licence allows me to think of them both as real Toyotas as in some markets they are, and Toyota is Lexus’s parent company. Add to that the commonality between the two and I’m not so far off the mark, OK. Toyota’s two top 4WD transporters, the Lexus LX570 and the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 VX Limited make an imposing statement and are arguably two of the best ‘off the shelf’ tow vehicles in New Zealand, each rated at 3500kg.
Land Cruiser 200 VX Limited So as you see I took the 200 out, loaded my horse float with a total weight of 3200kgs. What happened? Well nothing really, nothing different that is. Start the engine slip into drive and power away. Such is the torque, 650Nm at 1600rpm from the 195kW V8 4.5 litre twin turbo diesel that the Cruiser shrugged off the weight and even under severe load barely sipped any more fuel, averaging 11.6 l/100km compared to the 10.3 without a trailer. Given the 138 litre tank that could take you over 1000km without
touching tyres on a fuel station tarmac. Without a trailer you’ll easily see off 1300km. Now that’s impressive for a 2800kg unladen vehicle, better than most double cab utes! The Land Cruiser has been around for well over half a century and while more luxurious now, the only eight seater SUV available retaining its on and off road prowess. The six speed auto matched to a hi/low ratio gearbox, torque sensing LS centre diff and the new crawl control [like
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an off road cruise control] endows the 200 with outstanding terrain conquering ability. More importantly it does it so effortlessly and smoothly that the driver and passengers are unaware of the electronic and mechanical magic being performed seamlessly for them. Shod with 285/60 tyres on 18 inch 5-spoke alloys and a full size spare, the VX ‘s performance is confidence inspiring and does remove you from the road surface. So much so that changing from seal to shingle goes by unnoticed
The latest 200 has the alphabet of acronyms for safety comfort and driving assistance along with airbags for all seats including knee curtain and side for the driver and front passenger. Leather covers all seats, though only available in black as is the facia and doors which heat up the interior, and while extremely comfortable and practical I felt that a cream or beige would lighten and enlarge the cabin. I liked the new cameras showing the front and left sides of the vehicle at
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speeds less than 10km/h — great both off road and when parking assisted by a rear camera and parking sensors. Clever features include a huge cool box between the front seats, a 240volt and two 12-volt power outlets and front and rear climate air con. Sat Nav and Bluetooth from the eight inch central touch screen and steering wheel controls are easy to access and use. The heated steering wheel and front seats were really appreciated in the winter snows and frosts of the South Island. There will always be a place for the Cruiser in the New Zealand rural landscape as it fulfills the role of off roader, tow vehicle, holiday wagon and daily runabout. Despite its near 5-metre length and 2-metre width and height it is easy to drive and park. Economical and even at $147,500 for the Limited or $125,500 for the well equipped VX they represent comfort and power on any surface providing good value in today’s SUV market, and they hold their price as second hand vehicles. Try buying a good 100 serties — if you can find one!
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