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Lexota goes big for the show

Partners Toyota and Lexus have begun their corporate countdown to the  - 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show where they will have one of the biggest stands and undoubtedly the largest presence Toyota has yet had at the show.

Kerry Roodt, general manager of marketing communications, said: “Toyota has produced a stand of great stylistic and architectural appeal with origami-inspired wave design elements predominating. This follows a new global direction, making us the first country to adopt it after Europe, Thailand and South America."

"The 1053m2 Toyota stand in Hall 6 does much more than just accommodate vehicles; it was developed to let visitors really feel the Toyota brand promise. Our mission through our products and our service is to bring smiles to the lives of every customer; our stand is an extension of this.”

SOME SAVED FOR SHOWTIME

18 cars will be displayed: Hilux, Fortuner and the Toyota Hilux piloted by Dakar champions Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz will be on show in the "quality, durability and reliability" zone. In the “waku-doki” (fun-to-drive) zone will be the Toyota 86, Aygo, FJ Cruiser and RAV4.

Roodt said: “A few cars we’ll keep under wraps until show time but we can divulge that the FT-86 Open Concept, which premiered at the 2013 Geneva auto show, will be seen on African soil for the first time. This car, which personifies fun and excitement, was created to test the water for the possible introduction of a convertible version of the globally acclaimed 86 sports coupe."

An exhibit to be under bright lights in the 'hybrid leadership' zone will be the ground-breaking TS030 Hybrid driven to second place by Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Stephane Sarrazin in the 2013 Le Mans 24-hour.

Moving outdoors, the full range of Toyota and Lexus 4x4 vehicles will be on view, including the new Prado.

The public will be able to put selected models through their paces on a 4x4 track as well as on Toyota’s very own “Urban Trax”. The latter is a go-anywhere, set-up anywhere, versatile 4x4 demo and instruction track for the Toyota Advanced Driving team to display the various abilities and functions of Toyota's off-road vehicles through seven man-made obstacles that mimic a rough outdoor environment but can be experienced in an urban environment.

These include the demonstration of extreme ascents, descents, cross-axle articulation, side slopes, traction control, downhill assist control, crawl control, ridge crossing and differential lock functionality.

AND FOR LEXUS...

The stand for sister brand Lexus has been modelled on the new global design first shown at Geneva. It takes its style cues from the signature L-finesse design language – iridescent metallic hues combine with crisp, sharp lines to create a dramatic, uncluttered backdrop for the glittering line-up of prestige models.

These include the recently minted Lexus IS in F-Sport apparel, the hybrid GS 450h, the rare and utterly exclusive LFA supercar (as well as its F-Sport road-bike sibling) and, of course, the LS flagship. A surprise new Lexus will also be unveiled at Jims – details soon.
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