Date: Feature Week of January 15, 2003
Topic: Black Press Business/Black Car & Travel
Author: William Reed
Article ID: article_ema011503a
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER GETS POWERTRAIN UPGRADES FOR 2003
New Grille and Rear Enhancements Makes For A Powerful SUV Choice
Over its 52 years of tough competition, Toyota's Land Cruiser has become
a vehicle of legend. In 2003, the Land Cruiser SUV legend continues
across the world, in America and especially among urban drivers.
African-Americans
seeking a solid SUV will find that the Land Cruiser premium sport-utility
has never been more powerful. For 2003, its redesign gains it significant
mechanical, exterior and interior enhancements. This year the Land Cruiser
has a 235-hp V8 and a new 5-speed transmission power, with available
18" wheels. Toyota touts its comfort: heated leather-trimmed seats
while the available rear-seat DVD entertainment system sends sound to
wireless headphones. And its off-road prowess is indisputable, with
full-time 4-wheel drive mated to a locking center differential.
In regards to public concern about SUV safety, Toyota points out that
world-class safety enhancements for the 2003 Land Cruiser include next-generation
airbag sensors that accompany multi-stage driver and front passenger
airbags and front and second-row side impact curtain airbags.
The Land Cruiser stands 6 feet, 1 inch tall. Its wheelbase is 112.2
inches and its overall length is 192.5 inches. In its front, Land Cruiser
has a new chrome-styled grille and new bumper. Rear styling is distinguished
for 2003 by new badging and clear-lens turn signals.
Inside, the 2003 Land Cruiser has 39.2 inches of front seat headroom.
It has 39.1 inches of middle headroom and 36.4 in the rear. It features
a new dashboard design with elegant looking metallic trim on the center
cluster. A power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, rear seat audio
and steering wheel audio controls join this up-scale SUV's list of standard
equipment. It has seating for up to eight, a leather-trimmed interior
and adjustable heated front seats. With the rear seat removed and second
seat row folded, this SUV provides 90.8 cubic feet of cargo. The Land
Cruiser's third-row passengers have the benefit of rear power quarter
windows.
Land Cruiser's DOHC 4.7-liter V8 engine has gained five horsepower for
2003. With 320 lb.-ft. of torque peaking at 3,400 rpm, Toyota's engineers
say Land Cruiser makes an excellent tow vehicle that can pull up to
6,500 pounds.
The new five-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous four-speed,
allowing for a reduced final-drive ratio, from 4.30:1 to 4.10:1. Its
engineers say the new variable gear rack-and-pinion steering system
makes it easier to maneuver the Land Cruiser in very tight places. (The
tooth spacing on the gears of the rack becomes wider toward the end
of the rack, reducing steering effort at high steering angles.)
This year's Land Cruiser's full-time four-wheel drive with locking center
differential works in concert with traction control (TRAC) to handle
rough going, on- or off-road. The four-wheel drive system splits the
power evenly between front and rear. By pushing a button n the console,
the center differential locks, allowing the Land Cruiser to traverse
especially rough or slippery terrain. The driver can shift into low
range to negotiate steep off-road inclines. With a minimum ground clearance
of 9.8 inches and generous approach, departure and ramp, break-over
angles, Land Cruiser can tackle tough trails with confidence.
Black American buyers will be interested in Toyota's continuing outreach
efforts. In one of the industry's largest philanthropic partnerships,
the company works with the Los Angeles Urban League Automotive Training
Center. The Center represents more than a $7 million investment by Toyota
and recruits, trains and places Los Angeles inner- city residents in
the auto repair industry. Toyota executives say they will spend $4 million
to build an Automotive Training Center in the eastern U.S. to help place
the 60,000 new automotive technicians needed in the automotive repair
industry.
(Contact Black Car & Travel via www.BlackPressInternational.com)
