Pegasus Post: May 11, 2023

8 Thursday May 11 2023
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
Go-anywhere goliath loaded with luxury
IF A new Toyota Land Cruiser is
on your wish-list but you have a
few extra notes in the bank, the
Lexus LX 500d is the next best
option.
It’s a Land Cruiser on steroids
in terms of specification and
luxury and it sits in a part of the
market that has little competition
in terms of prestige and
ability than, say, Range Rover.
What’s more, it’s an easy decision
to make if you have decided
on Lexus, there are just two
models – F-Sport and Limited
both are priced at $175,900.
As its nomenclature suggests
the F-Sport has design elements
that are a little on the sporty side
– black mesh grille, unique front
and rear bumpers – while inside
there are aluminium centre
console panels and coloured seat
coverings. The Limited has a
chrome slatted grille, woodgrain
shift panel, wood-rimmed steering
wheel and full black leather.
The only other real difference
lies with the suspension, the F-
Sport gets what Lexus describes
as performance dampers. In
effect, the ride is just marginally
firmer, although I certainly
couldn’t detect much difference
between the standard settings
and those fitted to the F-Sport;
I climbed out of it and stepped
straight into the Limited, there
was no immediate feeling of
change.
Of course, if you were to
explore all of the driveline settings
and functions that make
the Land Cruiser/LX 500d so
capable, the chassis and suspension
settings would then come
into play.
However, as capable as it is
off-road, you don’t see too many
Lexus models charging through
the bush or high country tracks,
it is far more of a civilised sevenseat
family wagon that will lend
itself to any challenge, especially
in terms of towing, it is rated
with a 3500kg figure. If towing
a horse float or boat for your
recreational pursuits is what you
require, then the Lexus in this
form is the vehicle for you. It is
a true sport utility vehicle with
luxury and quality elements that
are true to the Lexus ethos. For
the children in the second row of
seats, each can be entertained by
their own personal screens fixed
to the rear of the front seat head
rests.
Under the bonnet sits a new
V6 diesel engine that also comes
courtesy of Land Cruiser. The
best way it can be described is it
is much the same design as the
old V8 that powered previous
generation models, but with two
cylinders fewer. It does get the
benefit of a twin turbocharging
system which provides power
outputs greater than previously,
it is rated at 227kW and
a stunning 700Nm. Add in the
coupling to a 10-speed automatic
transmission, the relay of power
to each corner is seamless and
constant, there’s never a point
when accelerator input isn’t met.
The LX 500d is chock full of
the luxury ingredients you get
with any model from the Lexus
stable, that’s something the
company has classed as a major
manufacturing ingredient in all
of its models. I was reluctant to
take the evaluation cars back to
the dealership, both variants really
grew on me, I simply enjoyed
the driving experience.
Which one would I buy?
The F-Sport, knowing those
performance dampers are sitting
underneath are just one more
reason to feel secure on the road.
• Price – Lexus LX 500d
Limited, $175,900
• Dimensions – Length,
5100mm; width,
1990mm; height,
1895mm
• Configuration – V6,
four-wheel-drive,
3346cc, 227kW, 700Nm,
10-speed automatic
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 8sec
• Fuel usage –
10.2l/100km
A Christchurch car dealer is offering a new and
innovative way to trade-in your old car and help those
in need at the same time.
Tim Koller Motor Company (TKMC) is offering car
owners the opportunity to donate their old vehicles
with the proceeds going to World Vision New Zealand.
Mr Koller says the initiative saves car owners the
arduous process of selling a second-hand vehicle and
means they help people living in the world’s toughest
places.
“We know that most people hate the process of selling
a car. It’s a hassle, it’s stressful and it’s hard work! This
initiative means people avoid the pain of trying to find
a private buyer or negotiate a trade-in.
“Now, they can simply donate their car and the sale
proceeds will be used to help World Vision deliver
emergency food to hungry children; clean water and
sanitation to improve the health of entire communities;
and provide safe spaces for children fleeing from
violence and conflict. It’s a win-win!”, Mr Koller says.
Tim Koller Motor Company (TKMC)
380 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch
He says he came up with the idea when dealing with
an elderly client who was disappointed at the trade-in
price offered for her old car. She said she’d rather “give
it away”.
“That got me thinking,” Mr Koller says. “What if there
was a way we could avoid the disappointment of a
trade-in offer, which is often a lot less than people
are expecting, but still take the car and leave people
feeling good as well. The car donation project is the
answer,” he says.
The proceeds from all donated cars will go to World
Vision New Zealand. World Vision New Zealand
International Partnership Director, TJ Grant, says
partners like Mr Koller are invaluable.
“World Vision is working with some of the most
vulnerable children and families in the world and we
see desperate need on a daily basis – children who
are starving; families who are unwell because they
have no clean water to drink; girls who are denied the
To find out more visit tkmc.co.nz
or call Tim Koller: 03 390 1717
right to go to school; and children who are forced into
work. Donations from compassionate Kiwis can help
these children to thrive and live life in all its fullness,”
he says.
Mr Koller says World Vision pursues the highest
standards of stewardship and accountability with
84.6 cents in the dollar going directly to international
programming.
“I love World Vision’s approach of giving people a
hand up, not a hand out. They help to empower people
out of poverty and build lasting change,” he says.
If you have any questions about World Vision, please
call 0800 800 776 to speak to our Supporter Care team
or visit www.worldvision.org.nz
Above: Generously Donated - 2019 Suzuki Swift, SRZ,
Just 3,343km
Be Part of Something Bigger!
You can make a life-saving
difference.