JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The Land Cruiser 70-series has long had a reputation as ”the” choice” for rough country and desert trips (it’s also It good for shopping, as The Corner has tried) and recognised as an automotive symbol of go-anywhere-ability.
It’s also seen as (also as experienced) a prime example of off-road engineering excellence and infallible competency, even among what the automaker describes as ”the most demanding circles, acquitting itself peerlessly over the harshest conditions”.
Land Cruiser SA, with its huge experience in desert and bush travel, has gone local with the introduction of a double-cab derivative with application-specific accessories and bearing Namib nomenclature in celebration of one of the world’s oldest and largest deserts.
Calvyn Hamman: Toyota SA’s marketing boss, told The Corner in a media release: ”The Namib Desert has some of the most challenging terrain. Surviving in such extreme conditions requires preparation and equipment. We’ve created this special Land Cruiser as a ready-to-go vehicle prepared and equipped to tackle the most daunting of challenges.”
So, what’s been done…?
The grille has been changed to a simple mesh design with prominent Toyota lettering similar to that of the Toyota Hilux GR Sport to, the automaker says, ”leverage the design of Land Cruiser heritage models”. Unique stylised Namib badges have been fitted to the Cruiser’s flanks and tailgate (see above).
READ MORE Land Cruiser features on Carman’s Corner
A steel front bumper/heavy-duty nudge bar and headlight protectors, have added utility and ruggedness. The large high-intensity diode spotlights will turn night into day and a tubular rear step/towball will make loading/towing easy. Loadbed skins will also minimise damage to the (white or beige painted) bodywork.
The aircon system also chills the glove box and the utility theme is continued with grey canvas seat covers embroidered with sand dune-inspired Namib logos. The edges have anti-scuff panels.
An application-specific roof console has been added to enhance versatility with rear-facing lights, a lined storage binnacle, driver and passenger lights, two-way radio compartment and microphone cord hook.
For when the going gets tough the Cruiser also has an upgraded off-road suspension, the tyres have been upgraded to larger 265/75/R16 Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx versions on 16” alloy wheel rims turned by a 4.5-litre turbodiesel engine capable of 151kW/430Nm from 1200rpm (up to 3200rpm).
Fuel consumption is listed S 11.3 litres/100km fed from a 93 litre tank.
The Namib edition carries all of the standard Land Cruiser 79 D-Cab V8 specification, which include a touchscreen audio system with built-in satnav, Bluetooth, front power-socket, power windows, tilt and telescoping steering-column, remote central locking and an anti-theft system. Crash mitigation systems include front crash bags and anti-lock brakes.
…AND SO TO SERVICE…
The Namib Land Cruiser will be delivered with a three-year service plan and a three-year or 100 000km (whichever comes first) warranty. Optional more comprehensive plans are available.
…AND PRICE
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.5D V8 D/C Namib – R893 600
