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Why South Africa's most expensive single-cab bakkie makes sense

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The overwhelming demand has incentivised Toyota to produce a second batch of its enormously popular Namib edition bakkies.

Launched late last year, the Land Cruiser Namib edition features upgraded styling and 4x4 elements to ensure that it keeps on exploring, long after the convoy has stopped and turned around. 

The most important news about this second consignment of Land Cruiser Namib bakkies is that there will be a single-cab option. And this will be heartening to off-road adventurers who don't have a family, because not everybody who desires the ultimate 4x4 bakkie option, requires a double-cab. 

Single-cab bakkies have superior loadability compared to double-cabs because they retain a longer loadbox.

What you sacrifice in rear seating and cabin-stowage with a single-cab, you can gain in ultimate load-carrying ability. It's also far more comfortable to sleep in the back of a single-cab's loadbox, than the much shorter double-cab equivalent. 

toyota land cruiser,pick up,pick-up,bakkie,truck

Toyota Land Cruiser. Image: Imperial Toyota

What are the single-cab 4x4 options?

The local market for decently equipped single-cab 4x4 bakkies is very small. In fact, the only rivals for this Land Cruiser Namib single-cab are Ford's Ranger XLS 3.2 TDCi 4x4 auto (R486 000), the Isuzu D-Max 300 LX 4x4 (R504 800) and Nissan's Patrol pick-up (R652 000). From within Toyota's own ranks, there is the Hilux 2.8 GD Legend 50 auto single-cab, at R571 600. 

None of these comparatively modern single-cab bakkies can match the brute strength or survivability of a Land Cruiser. Of all the single-cab bakkies we have listed, only Nissan's Patrol can qualify as authentic competition to a Land Cruiser Namib edition.

There are issues with Nissan's Patrol. It has a smaller and less powerful engine, lower ground obstacle crossing clearance and only a rear differential lock. The Patrol will follow a Land Cruiser Namib into challenging terrain but never lead the way. 

toyota land cruiser,pick up,pick-up,bakkie,truck

Toyota Land Cruiser. Image: Imperial Toyota

Long-term value with a Namib 

They might be slow, even when powered by the 151kW 4.5-litre turbodiesel V8, but nothing stops a Namib single-cab. For expedition leaders who need optimal packing space for gear, instead of passengers, the presence of a Namib single-cab Land Cruiser in Toyota's local bakkie portfolio is a most welcome addition. 

As an ownership proposition, the Land Cruiser Namib single-cab sets some new standards. It becomes South Africa's most expensive single-cab bakkie, by quite some margin. At R842 200 it is nearly R200 000 more than a Nissan Patrol and R120 000 dearer than a standard Land Cruiser 79 single-cab V8. 

There is justification around the price point, as Toyota has committed to only producing 60 of these Namib edition single-cab bakkies. That means that demand will handsomely outstrip supply and keep prices for the Namib edition single-cabs very buoyant, for years to come.

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