Toyota Rwanda on Friday last week unveiled the new Land Cruiser 300 (LC300), the latest brand version to arrive on the Rwandan market. The car launch attracted a number of Toyota Rwanda’s esteemed customers as well as partners who enjoyed the ride of the new version to witness the similarities and differences existing compared to the previous version. Land Cruiser 300 is a total improvement on the previous version of Land Cruiser 200 which is basically an off-road driving car. How do they compare? Engine: the new LC300’s engine (3.3L diesel V6) has higher power by 52 Kilowatts and Torque by 85Nm compared to LC200’ engine (4.5L diesel V8). Transmission: the new LC300’s V6 engine has 10 speed auto compared to the previous V8 engine which has 6 speed auto. What makes LC300 so special is that it maximizes fuel efficiency, reduces environment emissions and ensures improved road safety. It also improved on multimedia features, active safety and better on- road performance. Sylvan Muhire, a client of Toyota Rwanda who attended the official launch of LC300, hailed the new brand for its unique comfort and fuel management. “I’ve liked this new version of the Land Cruiser but the most important part of it is its consumption. It has a very powerful engine and it uses less fuel compared to the previous version and that is a very important aspect that every client considers when buying a car. So, it is worth it,” Muhire told _The New Times_. The new LC300 is also made with a newly-developed audio which is android/apple enabled with mirror link. The first new Land Cruiser arrived in Rwanda in December last year and was delivered to Rwandan customers in the first week of 2022. Currently, Toyota Rwanda has confirmed orders of more than five units of the new Land Cruiser 300. According to Toyota Rwanda Sales and Marketing Manager, Evans Mose Maroko, the new Land Cruiser 300 was made based on customers voice “People wanted a more economical and sophisticated car, speedier than the previous version as well as a car with a more powerful engine than that of the current version [LC200]. That’s why Toyota decided to add what customers requested,” Mose said during the car launch. Mose added that there has been a big improvement in terms of fuel consumption where a car can now go more kilometres per litre depending on how you drive. The price of the new LC300 version ranges between Rwf 150 million to Rwf165 million. Toyota Land Cruiser has been and remains an undisputed king of 4x4 off-road driving. Toyota Motor Corporation first produced the Land Cruiser known as BJ in 1951. In 2019, Land Cruiser achieved a record sale of over 10 million cars. In 2021, the Land Cruiser celebrated 70 years of existence on the market and Toyota Rwanda officials describe the New Land Cruiser 300 as the best gift of the brand’s anniversary to its esteemed lovers. Since the brand arrived on the international market, Toyota has continued to improve quality, durability and reliability of the Land Cruiser brand which forms the strength of all Toyota vehicles. For instance, the new Land Cruiser 300 is an advanced version of the Land Cruiser 200 which has been improved from the engine, transmission and suspension among other specifications.
