The Star: March 23, 2017

The Star 47
Driven
FREE WEEKLY MAGAZINE
in stands every Friday
Latest Christchurch news at www.
.kiwi
Thursday March 23 2017
OVER 1000
VEHICLES
FOR
SALE
Tackle off-road tracks
in a Land Cruiser 70
• By Ross Kiddie
EARNING an Australasian
New Car Assessment
Program five-star safety
rating for the Land Cruiser
70 has been a breakthrough
for the Toyota Motor Co.
It means the company
now has the full support of
the enterprises which, in
the majority, are the major
purchasers of the robust
off-roader. Globally, the
Land Cruiser 70 has been
an important part of the
mining, manufacturing
and agricultural industries,
along with recreational
users who want its go-anywhere
ability.
The ANCAP safety qualification
criteria is comprehensive,
and for the Cruiser
70 to reach five stars is a
worthy achievement, albeit
at this stage only the singlecab
variant meets the criteria,
but it’s only a matter of
time before the double-cab
variant is engineered to
reach that level.
And I’m pleased to report
that the Cruiser 70 hasn’t
lost any of the fundamentals
which have earned it a rugged
and tough reputation
over the years. At the media
launch for the new series,
motoring journalists were
treated to an off-road experience
which highlighted
how well the Cruiser 70
adapts itself to conditions
where access to wheeled
transport is marginal.
Part of the reason why
the Cruiser 70 reaches its
new status is through the
electronic traction devices
which have been engineered
into the vehicle,
when you combine those
with the drive variations
through the four-wheeldrive
transfer system, the
result is a vehicle which
has grip and drive almost
unsurpassed.
The driveline can be
adapted to glean traction
on all surfaces, most
through the dual range
transfer case and differential
locking systems, the
rest by manipulating the
traction control network
to best suit the impending
surface.
The new model for 2017
hasn’t changed a lot in
appearance, there are a few
cosmetic changes here and
there, but by and large, it
still resembles the classic,
unmistakable 70-series
look.
It also has much the same
engine and transmission,
the 4.5-litre diesel-fed V8
drives through a five-speed
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 70: Rugged reputation.
manual gearbox. Toyota
rates the quad-camshaft,
turbocharged unit at
151kW with 430Nm of
torque, both outputs realised
low in the rev band
at 3400rpm and 1200-
3200rpm respectively.
• Price – Toyota Land
Cruiser 70 LT, $75,780
• Dimensions – Length,
5220mm; width,
1790mm; height,
1970mm
• Configuration – V8,
four-wheel-drive,
4461cc, 151kW,
430Nm, five-speed
manual.
• Fuel usage –
10.6l/100km
Because of its low revving
nature, the engine
hauls in acceleration and
impetus from as low as
500rpm. And that is the
beauty of the engine/transmission
combination, it is
designed for hauling and
chugging away at terrain
where slow speed is most
beneficial.
The gearshift is free in
its movement and clutch
action disguises well the
comprehensive mechanicals
which lie beneath, and
the power with which it
needs to harness, the pedal
is light and progressive.
On the highway it delivers
a ride well distant to
what its load-bearing suspension
would suggest. The
ride is compliant, disguising
well the use of front
and rear live axles.
Chunky all-terrain
Dunlop tyres (225/95 x
16in) are designed to provide
grip in the loose, but
they also do an adequate
job on the highway; motion
is quiet, and while the
steering is slow and unresponsive
in a corner, if you
drive the Cruiser 70 with
respect it won’t deliver any
surprises.
As part of the new
upgrade, Toyota’s engineers
have widened the
front track considerably, so
much so that it looks a little
ungainly against a narrow
rear track, but the result is
greater stability in a corner
and traction benefits offroad.
However, the Cruiser 70
is all about a working role
and it makes no excuses for
its utilitarian appearance
and sparse level of fitment,
there are just the fundamental
in-cabin features
such as air conditioning
and audio. A reversing
camera is standard, part of
the ANCAP requirement,
but other than that the
owner or every day driver
had better get used to
adjusting the rear view mirrors
and winding the windows
manually, and there
isn’t even central locking.
However, these features are
available on a higher grade
model although that adds
an extra $6200 to the price
tag.
That aside, the LT
Cruiser 70 represents good
value at $75,780 in singlecab
form. The double-cab
lists at $79,380, while a
station wagon variant with
massive rear load space sits
at $84,980.
The test car was a singlecab
model and its deck area
was huge, long and wide.
Although its depth wasn’t
great, it served useful
purpose when my wife left
me a note to read – please
trim the trees at the front
of the property. That I did,
and the Cruiser 70 easily
accepted long branches and
a wealth of foliage.
Whereas Hilux from the
Toyota stable will serve
most recreational, farming
and business operators
well, the Cruiser 70 is there
for the buyer who needs
that extra ground clearance,
greater towing ability,
and the means to go just
that little bit deeper into
unknown off-road tracks.
Best
Motorbuys
TM
2007 NissaN WiNgroad
rider auto
1800cc, factory body kit, climate a/c, nice wagon.
Was $9,999
$8,999
$8,990
1998 NISSAN TERRANO G3-M-R
www.ptmotorcompany.co.nz
3200cc Diesel Turbo, very tidy condition for
age and mileage, cloth seats, sun roof, ABS
brakes, alloys, air cond, air bags, electric
windows / mirrors, one NZ owner last 10 years.
Buy-Rite Cars
$12,990
2004 ToyoTa Kluger
3.0 V6, ‘S’ model, 7 seater, grey trim,
low mileage, great family
or tow vehicle.
$65
pw
2008 Jaguar X-Type
Executive Estate
2.1 V6 engine, 17" factory alloys, black with bone leather
and full electrics. Mint one owner car.
WAS $15,990 SALE $11,990
Neat cars
$9,999
2007 SubAru IMPrezA 20S
Sport hatch, 2.0L, tiptronic, all-wheel-drive,
push button start, climate air, CD/stereo,
Xenon headlight, alloys, etc.
2 to choose from
HONDA CRV 4WD
Great affordable SUV,
very popular
wagon.
ON
ROAD
$13,890
2007 subaru iMPreZa 15s
1500cc auto
climate air cond, central locking, only 86,701kms.
$9,999
$7,990
2006 MAZDA DEMIO
1300cc auto, like NEW, totally un-marked
interior all in very orginal condition, only
43,630km, air cond airbags, electric windows
and mirrors, don't miss out on this one!
2007 ToyoTa Fielder
Economical 1500cc VVT-I,
low 73,000km, charcoal grey trim,
lovely in wine red.
45 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch City
Phone (03) 365 3401 or 027 220 3970
198 Hazeldean Road, Christchurch
Ph 03 366 6436 or Brian 021 221 7079
$10,990 $7,990
$74
pw
www.hopmans.co.nz
2008 Holden Commodore
NZ New, 19 Inch SV6 Z Series alloy wheels and rear spoiler,
air bags, abs braking, traction control, great history and
condition. Drives very well.
$13,990
2005 bMW 330i HI LIne
3.0 litre, Tiptronic auto, 8 X Airbags, Stability
ctrl, Cruise ctrl, Sunroof, 20in alloys, Climate
Air cond, Heated seats, Leather int, 39,000km.
www.neatcars.co.nz
2006 subaru ouTbaCK 2.5i
s-sTyle 4Wd Facelift
2500cc, auto, only 68,437kms, alloys.
$13,999
$9,990
2008 MAZDA AxElA 5 SpEED
1500cc sedan, 5 speed manual, 17” alloys,
airbags, Blue Metallic, fresh to the market
this week, good car for learner driver. Approx
$70 per week, No Deposit Finance T.A.P.
2007 MiTsubishi ColT Plus
Economical 1500cc MIVEC, auto,
larger ‘Plus’ model, fantastic size,
great value for money.
$133
pw
Cnr Travis Rd & Bower Ave
Christchurch
03 388 8120
2006 Holden Commodore SS-V
New Zealand New, 6.0 V8, Red with Black Leather on
20 Inch Alloy Wheels. Only 80kms, great looking car and
immaculate throughout. Be Quick, Just traded.
WAS $27,990 SALE $24,990
Cnr Tuam St & Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch
Ph. (03) 379 3465 Anytime, 0800 PW EURO (793876)
www.paulwallaceeuropean.com
$17,999
$13,999
2006 LexuS IS250
2.5L, Tiptronic, Paddle shift, Stability ctr, Cruise
ctr, Leather heated seats, Climate air, Power
seat adjusts, etc.
15 Waller Terrace (off Moorhouse, near Hagley College)
(03) 366 9033 | AH John 027 249 7559 Peter 021 356 219
TOYOTA HIlUx SURF SSR-x
Top spec widebody,
late t/cm engine
ON
ROAD
$12,890
Below is a small
selection of our
great deals!
To advertise in Best Motorbuys, phone Lea Godfrey 021 277 3086
LOOK!
NISSAN xTRAIl 4WD
Sparkling condition,
many extras.
ON
ROAD
$12,890
301 Main South Rd
Hornby Christchurch
03 349 9298