Toyota Land Cruiser 200. Test by Canary Islands.

Toyota Land Cruiser 200. The price: $89 430. On sale: January, 2008.

Land Cruiser 200 is the continuer of the well-known "100-th" series which have subdued a dividing strip of the Kutuzovsky prospectus. Dark glasses, a flasher, a parathree of the armed children - here the integral attributes of the big Japanese off-road car. It is necessary to check up, whether the apple from an apple-tree has far fallen.
Before the test beginning we will spend half an hour for novelty survey. Land Cruiser 200 has a little added in dimensions. The length has increased to 4950 mm (+60 mm), and width - to 1970 mm (+30 mm). The design remained impudent. Does not remain not noticed desire of autoartists to add to shape of dynamics.
Now we will get into salon, but we will make it not traditional by, and through a luggage compartment. In new model it ­ is divided across on two shutters. At first one, glass, opens upwards, then another, iron, downwards. It facilitates loading of heavy and dimensional subjects. Besides, on the bottom door it is convenient to sit and stir feet, admiring just subdued rocks.

The changed ergonomics have allowed to expand internal space of salon thanks to reduction of a motor compartment. As a result the space from a pedal of an accelerator to a luggage space door has increased by 130 mm. A kickshaw, and ­ it is pleasant. As to quantity of landing places any variants except seven-seater configuration to us do not offer. Certainly, on the first and second numbers to sit very conveniently. And here two armchairs behind will approach only to children. For the sake of justice we will note a convenient design of folding of the second and third numbers. After the several simple actions occupying to steam of seconds, before you ideally equal plane in which, on sensations, will be located a parathree of refrigerators is formed.
But chatter will suffice, it is time to pass to business. 20 km the asphalt site did not conceal any unexpectedness. Suddenly the highway has disappeared, and tyres have rustled on sand to a stony covering. From time to time unpleasant blow about iron was distributed. It was beaten on a body by those peaked cobble-stones. The further in wood, that is in mountains, the more largely and more sharply there were stones, superseding rather safe sand. ­­ The relief varied ­ also. As that is unexpected, almost instantly, our caravan has appeared surrounded with high enough rocks. Where flowers which promised to us in a song? Only snow-white seagulls reminded of affinity of Atlantic ocean and beaches with chaise lounges.

Before us there was a high mountain. On a portable radio set the command has sounded: «Forward!» What forward where forward - in the same place there is no road! «Forward!» - obstinately repeated a black box with the aerial. Imperceptibly having crossed and having included system Crawl Control which enters into a base complete set of the petrol version, I direct Land Cruiser actually on a vertical wall. And here there is a miracle. The car with a gnash as if the huge turtle, has spread upwards. During this moment it seemed, that near to wheels the suckers helping an off-road car not to fall to a roof have grown what that. For a long time did not test such sharp sensations! Later on technical presentation the Japanese engineers have told, how they managed to achieve so impressing results. Thanks to ­ the big ­ road clearance (230 mm in front and 240 mm behind) and a short plumb of body Land Cruiser 200 has had an opportunity to overcome the most severe impassability. Judge, the maximum corner of entrance is equal 32 °, and the maximum corner of congress - 25 °.

That day we were expected by many surprises. Not regretting neither cars, nor us, organizers of the test were not limited to the only thing without a road site. Torture by stones proceeded not less than ten hours for which it was possible to pass only hundred kilometres. It is possible to consider as a unique minus work of system of the help at start uphill. It is necessary to release a brake as the car, contrary to expectations of the driver, is rolled away approximately on metre, and only then stops. It should be corrected.

Six times during our travel it was necessary to change the tyres cut up in shreds. Regular spare wheels on it has not sufficed. But to the aid the magic pickup hammered under an outset by wheels came. If not it, many fighters on base would not return.
When stones came to an end, the road started to remind a washing board. That did not shake, it is necessary to be dispersed kilometres to sixty. On one of such sites whence that there was a wild goat what quite often meet in those places. The trajectory of run of an animal crossed with a trajectory ahead of the going car. Thus to concede to the big off-road car artiodactyl obviously did not gather. The colleague sitting at the wheel, only has evaded at the last minute from the suicide. The goat has survived, and to us as to detached onlookers, it was possible to be convinced of an interesting detail. ­ It appears, new Land Cruiser practically does not heel. After such maneuver we repeated on asphalt, and the result has repeated. In it a merit of the modernised suspension bracket. The back 4-lever spring suspension bracket that has led to minimisation ­ of lists and improvement of smoothness of a course has undergone to improvement­.

In our country Land Cruiser seldom use for the designated purpose. The off-road car is more known as the car of protection accompanying rich Pinokio. Probably, in it чтото there is, but a dispersal to hundred for 9,2 with, frankly speaking, does not impress. And the maximum speed in 200 km/h - not the best indicator for the support car. Certainly, it is necessary to praise absence of the big lists and sharp enough wheel for an off-road car, but present elements Land Cruiser 200 are there where there are no roads, and there are one directions. Thank God, in Russia it is enough such places. Experts in marketing from Japan understand it also. In 2008 in our market are going to sell more than 9000 "two-hundred parts" - half from all­ European realisation.

Stones, sand and mountains.
The Canary island Fuerteventura on which have arranged first test Toyota Land Cruiser 200, is absolutely unlike green paradise. The author of an old smash hit about flowers and ocean obviously did not happen in the given geographical point. This place having a volcanic origin, percent on eighty consists of the big, average and small peaked stones quickly transforming the tyres in ridiculous rubber rags. Fifteen more percent - the present desert with barkhans from magnificent white sand and any prickly bushes. And only remained five percent represent the well-known beaches, with huge work won by the person at the rebellious nature.

Driving.
On present impassability Land Cruiser 200 will meet few competitors. It is possible to consider as one of main pluses absence of the big lists and presence of the big courses of a suspension bracket.

Salon.
The considerable quantity of buttons demands preliminary studying. Quality of materials of censures does not cause. The ergonomics at height, a novelty became even more spacious.

Comfort.
On bad roads Land Cruiser 200 gives the maximum comfort accessible to an off-road car. The separate climate control allows to establish different temperature on forward and back rows of seats, will be happy all.

Safety.
Ten pillows provide necessary level of safety, and rather big dimensions promote it.

The price.
Cost corresponds to clientele expectations. Expensively and richly.

Technical characteristics Toyota Land Cruiser 200
Dimensions, mm 4950х1970х1910
The engine petrol, 4664 sm3, 288 l.s./5400 mines-1
Transmission automatic, 5-step
Dynamics of 0-100 km/h, c 9,2
The maximum speed, km/h 220
Competitors Mitsubishi Pajero, Infiniti QX

Merits and demerits.
+ Excellent passableness, absence of the big lists at sharp maneuvers.
- Absence of lateral support at seats, nonideal work of system of the help at start uphill.

Our opinion.
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 - the worthy continuer well-known for "100-th". Paradox that in Russia Land Cruiser is seldom used directly. «Land Cruiser» become more often escort cars. In a dirt, sand and mountains "two-100-th" turns to the present subjugator of impassability. Roads really are not necessary to it. Whether so it is time to replace priorities?