64 January 2016 www.bahrainthismonth.com CHARLIE HOLDING There’s no denying the appeal of a stylish SUV that combines comfort, power and performance. The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s flagship SUV and, over the years, it has undergone more changes than a bevy of supermodels at a fashion show. However, one thing remains constant — quality. This SUV is not only built to last, it’s built to impress and, trust me, it does. Following an impressive overhaul both inside and out, the Land Cruiser is back with a vengeance for 2016. With a staggering array of standard features, this model gives you as much bang as possible for your hard-earned buck. Let’s talk about the obvious upgrades to the exterior. This ninth generation model has a more distinctive grille frame that leaves a lasting impression, while chrome-plating has been applied to the top and bottom of the triple horizontal grille bars. The interior of the fully-loaded model I drove was not only surprisingly plush, it was also a good example of the marque’s attention to detail. Everything is clearly laid out and easy to use and, as a bonus, the infotainment system not only looks great, it works well too. Elevating in-vehicle entertainment to a whole new level are the dual 11.6-inch rear display newmotors Revamped for Success! E.K. KANOO features includes the crawl control system and the active traction control system. Other features extend to a multi-terrain monitor used in conjunction with multi-terrain select (MTS) to help drivers confirm their surroundings when driving off-road. Adding to the versatility of the Land Cruiser is the hill-start assist control system and the downhill assist control. In addition, the vehicle features four-wheel active height control and adaptive variable suspension (4-Wheel AHC&AVS), a fully adjustable system that also provides spring rate control to give exceptional performance off-road. Highway driving is an absolute doddle in this vehicle and, despite its formidable size, it handles like a much smaller and lighter model. Under the bonnet of this bulking SUV is a 5.7-litre 32 Valve DOHC with dual VVT-i V8 engine, which produces 362bhp at 5,600rpm and 540Nm of torque at 3,200rpm. For anyone who doesn’t understand what that means, allow me to simplify — this monster-sized SUV moves at lightning speed. The 2016 Land Cruiser is available in 10 exterior colours, including the two new ones — Copper Brown Mica and Dark Blue Mica. This SUV will take you from the heart of the city to the wilds of the desert in style and comfort. Don’t just take my word for it; book a test drive and experience it all for yourself. Call 17 730-730 or visit www.toyota.com.bh. screens with a display angle adjustable mechanism (viewing angle can be adjusted between 0-50 degrees) that offers the ultimate multimedia entertainment for rear seat passengers. Kids, don’t worry, you’ll never miss Nemo again! The display panel now boasts a piano black finish and the newly adopted Optitron meter — equipped with a 4.2-inch thin film transistor colour multi-information display and odometer/ trip meter display. One of my favourite features on this model is the cool box, yes, that’s right, you heard me. Never again will you have to sit in traffic sipping tepid water, simply pop your beverage of choice into the unit (housed between the driver and passenger seat) and let it chill. The inside can only be described as cavernous; in fact, it’s more spacious than my first apartment. Thanks to a third row — that can be lowered for added storage space — this is one of the more practical models I’ve driven this year. And, it’s not just practical, it’s capable too. In my experience, many owners of SUVs never really put them to the test or explore the full range of capabilities for fear of damaging them. The Land Cruiser, however, is made for off-roading! The range of advanced active-driving control
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