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Toyota has confirmed its status as “king off the road” by scooping three
categories in the 2004 Overlander Magazine Awards.
The petrol-powered LandCruiser 100 Series, petrol Prado and turbo-diesel
HiLux were all given the gold awards in their class, while the all-wheel-drive
Kluger was runner-up in the class won by Prado.
In choosing LandCruiser in the large wagon - petrol class, the judges were
clear in their praise of the ’Cruiser’s engine.
“Superb refinement and creamy smoothness are reminders of its Lexus origins
while plenty of bottom-end and mid-range torque makes for easy and relaxed
driving,” said Overlander road tester Fraser Stronach.
Meanwhile, the Prado was acclaimed for its versatility.
“Equally at home taking the kids to school, scrambling up a steep trail or
touring the outback, - if you want a medium-sized petrol wagon that will do it
all, look no further,” said Overlander road tester Fraser Stronach.
In giving an honourable “silver medal” mention to the Toyota Kluger in the
class, the magazine described the Kluger as an “excellent all-purpose AWD for
those who don’t need the Prado’s extra offroad ability.”
Toyota’s dual-cab turbo-diesel HiLux impressed the judges in picking up the
best ute award.
The magazine concluded: “For us the best dual cab is the HiLux turbo-diesel,
thanks largely to its class-leading on-road refinement and offroad ability.”
Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing, Dave Buttner, was
delighted with the accolades.
“Independent endorsement of an automotive company’s product by recognised
experts is invaluable in terms of building the credibility of a brand,” he said.
“We’re delighted that the judges from Overlander agree with the Australian
motoring public, who have been buying our 4WDs in record numbers this year,” he
said.
Toyota’s 4WD or Sports Utility Vehicle sales have grown by 26.9 per cent in
the first seven months of this year, with Kluger establishing a new niche in the
market place.
“Kluger has comfortably exceeded our sales expectations without taking sales
from Prado,” Mr Buttner said.
“We’ve sold 4,652 Klugers in the first seven months of the year which is
about 33 per cent more than our initial estimate of 500 vehicles a month.
“At the same time, Prado sales for the first seven months of the year are up
23.7 per cent on the corresponding period last year,” he said.
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