Toyota Land Cruiser LC 200 and Prado Down until BS6

As the BS6 date gets closer we are receiving news of discontinuing some of our favorite model lines. The most recent victim is the Land Cruiser. Toyota has decided to pull the plug on the LC 200 and Prado in our country after a decade of meagre sales and cults following. We're sad to see those variants go, but for its premium sales, Toyota is likely to focus on Lexus cars. The Lexus LX is the equivalent to a Land Cruiser and costs Rs 2.33 crore. In comparison, the pricing of the LC 200 was at Rs 1.47 crore.

The Land Cruiser Prado was indeed a small, cheaper alternative to the iconic LC 200. It came out in India in a single version, powered by a 3.0-literD-4D diesel engine. The turbo diesel produced 172PS of power and 410Nm of torque and was equipped with an automatic 5-speed gearbox. Capacity for off-roading came from a rear beam axle, two transfer cases and a separate front suspension. The Prado-equivalent Lexus is the GX that is not on sale in India. The Prado has gone away well.

But the original Land Cruiser was the king of off-roading slopes. The 4.5-liter V8 diesel had a fuel efficiency problem and was only sending out 265PS. But it made a torque of 650Nm, and had an off-road legacy. The venerable FJ40 finds its origins in this Land Cruiser. In its section it also serves as a sore thumb.

The Land Cruiser was costlier than other filled-size premium SUVs like the Audi Q7 at Rs 1.47 crore. The Range Rover is the earliest competitor on the Cruiser. Despite being more expensive at Rs 1.82 crore, it comes loaded with all of the 21st century's best automotive tech. The LC just had become obsolete.

While the Teutonic Land Cruiser will miss petrol heads like us, there's no denying that it's been priced out of most Indians ' reach. Depreciation is kind to aging Toyotas, so it will become available many years before used Land Cruisers are. So you won't be able to sign these by that time.