Toyota's limited edition packs for SUV range

Value-conscious buyers who’ve been waiting for the latest instalment of Toyota’s popular Altitude special editions can now choose from upgraded RAV4, Kluger and LandCruiser 200 Series. 

The popular Altitude packs have been a staple of Toyota’s marketing mix for a number of years now and have obviously made a positive contribution, since they keep on coming back.

Since the new RAV4 Altitude was announced just a week ago, Toyota has opted to build another 500 units for the local market, with production extended from September to November. The limited edition RAV takes the fight back to its compact soft-road rivals with what Toyota says is $4,000 of added features for $1,000 extra cost.

The company says the RAV4 Altitude is based on the four-cylinder powered 2WD and AWD RAV4 CV models, and benefits from an additional list of nine features.

Features beyond the standard CV model include a premium steering wheel and gear-shift knob, satellite navigation, 17-inch alloy wheels, and reverse parking sensors.

The sat-nav unit features a 6.1-inch LCD touch-screen with 3-D display and SUNA traffic warnings, as well as voice recognition audio, and Bluetooth phone control. The system incorporates an upgraded 40W audio system with single CD player, SD Card slot, rear camera input capability, USB connectivity, iPod control, and audio-streaming functionality.

The RAV4 Altitude SE is available in five exterior colours and is distinguished by its silver roof rails, front fog lamps, privacy glass, and ‘Altitude’ exterior badge. 

Toyota says that all up 2000 of the special edition model will be built in Japan between July and November, with the recommended retail price for the 2WD manual Altitude pegged at $29,990, or $1000 more than the model on which it is based.

If the RAV4 is a bit too compact for your needs, Toyota has also released a special edition seven-seat Kluger with $8600 of added features for an extra $2300. The Kluger Altitude is based on the seven-seat Kluger KX-R and is available in two or all-wheel drive.

Features beyond the standard KX-R include satellite navigation with 3-D display, SUNA traffic monitoring and safety camera warning. The audio unit features a 3.5-inch LCD touch-screen, single CD player, Bluetooth, audio streaming for smart phone or MP3, phonebook and SMS message access, voice recognition, SMS text to voice, SD Card Slot, USB input and iPod control.

Other features include a tilt-and-slide moonroof, rear-seat DVD entertainment system with nine-inch screen and wireless headphones.

The Kluger Altitude SE also gains 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/55R19 tyres, black roof rails, front fog lamps and an Altitude badge. It’s available in four exterior colours, all with black fabric interior, priced at $44,990 for the 2WD and $49,490 for the AWD model.

Finally, if even the seven-seat Kluger doesn’t cut it for you, Toyota has launched a special edition LandCruiser 200 Series Altitude, which the company says has around $4000 worth of features over and above the GXL on which it’s based.

Heading the added features are 18-inch alloys, black leather-accented interior, a cooler box, premium steering wheel and gearshift knob, plus power-operated driver and front-passenger seats.

Additional exterior features include roof rails and an Altitude badge. Five exterior colours are offered, including Crystal Pearl and Eclipse Black, which were previously reserved for the VX and Sahara models.

The recommended retail price of the 200 Series Altitude is $90,490 compared with $88,490 for turbodiesel GXL.

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