Latest Overlander does a 3 way comparo with top spec 200 series
& Disco 3 & Merc GL 320. In regard to 200, tester points out that
the fact that the 6 slot is unnatainable before 100kph & falls out as soon as throttle is applied isnt a problem as 5th will deliver better fuel economy at Australian Highway speed limits. Maybe so,
but what is 6th for then? Then, in a letter to the editor, a new
buyer of a 200 complains of the very same problem. Not a problem is the reply, even though he admits to receiving many
letters of complaint re the same issue. Toyota says its not a fault
as the auto knows where the best gear is for the most efficient use is. The letter writer asks why cant he take advantage of the
huge available torque by using it in 6th gear. Response is.. "floor
the throttle if you want to use more torque more often".
Now is that the response to increase your credibility?.
And lastly, the tester spends a whole page of his regular column
defending the 200 6th gear issue by waffling on about ratios &
then says if we lived in a country with more liberal speedlimits, the
200 gearing would be just the ticket. Excuse me?? How does a
higher speed limit get the thing to hold 6th when any throttle
causes immediate drop out?
"Not that it really matters. 5th gear is plenty tall enough for
relaxed cruising". Says it all really.
Would you buy a car from this man?....:)).....oldbaz.