The Kenya Toyota club sees the Toyota Premio as an office car. It is a compact sedan that is spacious on the interior and it could be a perfect office for a businessman who is starting out small and does not have office finance. You know how we do it in Kenya.

The Toyota Premio is the improvement of Toyota Corona. It was developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation in 2001. Like the saying goes, the Toyota Co. has never looked back on it's idea to develop this car.


The Toyota Premio was released in Generations.

Toyota Premio Old Model

The First generation reigned between December 2001 to December 2006. It has engines of 1.5ltrs, 1.8ltrs and 2.0ltrs. These were the engines that were referred to as D4. The D4 engine was said to have a problem and most people in Kenya avoided the car. However, the car is still a fovorite of many and it has sold over 100,000 units in Kenya.

Toyota Premio Old Model

Fact(Toyota Premio D4 Engine Problems)
The D4 engine is a fuel efficient engine that is designed for more power. The consumption of a 2.0ltr D4 engine is the same as the consumption of a 1.5ltr EFI engine. However, it has an erratic speed issue that is likely to give an unexpected surge. This was giving the Toyota Motor Co. a headache with the Toyota Premio old model sales. The problem is mainly as a result of accumulation of carbon deposits in the engine. For optimum performance of the D4 engine, you will need high octane fuel with low Sulphur content.
The D4 engines
The D4 engine injects gasoline directly into the combustion chamber. This is accompanied by a series of air compression. With the direct injection, the fuel mixes with the air and this is meant to emit a lighter exhaust gas while exuding more power and using less fuel. Mitsubishi uses the same engine for their Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) mainly used by the Pajero io and the Galant.
The Direct Fuel Injector

The D4 engines that use diesel are mainly used on the Toyota Hilux. These are called D4-D.
The D4-D Engine mounted on a Toyota Hilux

The D4 engine was also know to have engine stutters and a rough idling session. Many mechanics fear the engine but the secret lies in servicing your car on time and getting reliable fuel from a trusted dealer.
A dismounted D4 engine

Toyota Premio New Model
The Toyota Premio new model a.k.a generation 2 was released in 2006. It is differentiated by a sleeker shape, sharper brake lights and a more expensive look.
The Toyota Premio New Model
This new model has designed a 4 wheel drive model for the 1.8ltr. However, the 1.5ltr and the 2.0ltr are 2WD. The car uses a ventilated disc braking system and its suspension is coil spring supported.

What is the difference between Toyota Premio and Toyota Allion?
Mechanically, the Toyota Premio and the Toyota Allion are the same. They have similar engines. The only different thing between the 2 cars is the badges and the outer shape.
The Toyota Allion
The Toyota Motor Co. designed the Toyota Premio to replace the Toyota Corona while the Toyota Allion was designed to replace the Toyota Carina.
The Front View of the Toyota Premio
The rear view of the Premio
The Toyota Premio gives the owner a status and prestige while the Toyota Allion gives the owner a sporty feel. The performance of both cars is the same and so are the dimensions and the torque.

Both cars come equipped with a 5.8" monitor that gives the driver a multi-information display, a reclining seat and wooden grain finish on the dashboard. The cars have optional meters that are a choice of optitron and analogue. The navigation system is optional and so is the audio system.
The design of the Toyota Allion was inspired by the new generation Mark X.
The Front seat view
The entire sitting arrangement

From a critic's point of view, the Kenya Toyota Club could be just another blog that discusses cars. Looking at the layout of the blog, it is evident that it is more than that.

However, that is not the basis of this article. The Kenya Toyota Club set out to know how resourceful it was in its operations. We did an online and real research of our ratings.

We must accept that many people in Kenya do not know us since we have a better online outfit than the traditional real outfit.

However, we were amazed at a statistic that has shown that we are #72 in the list of 100 sites that have received the greatest traffic by online viewers who wanted to know about Toyota Runx. This is according to a keyword data compilation site called; keyrow.com.
http://www.keyrow.com/data/?k=toyota+runx

FACT
The Kenya Toyota Club seeks to enlighten anyone who wants to buy a Toyota as well as existing Toyota owners on all aspects that relate to Toyota Cars. In an effort to do this, we go to great heights to ensure that we offer as much information as we can.

While we were busy doing this, the online watchdogs realized that we were good in what we do and this is the reason why we rank in the keyrow.com list.

This proves true the statement; Do whatever you do to perfection, it will always pay you back with perfection.

With such a recognition, we look forward to more recognition in the year 2011.

We are all grateful for our club members and every viewer of our blog for making us proud.

Thanks bunches,
The Kenya Toyota Club Team.

It has recently won the title, Nairobi's favorite car. The Kenya Toyota Club thinks otherwise. It is famous among women circles. Here are some facts about it:
It is a nice car for the people who love their rides small. Very good for a shopping basket. It wont consume too much space at Village market and even parking in the basements is easy.

There is no difference between the Toyota Vitz and the Toyota Yaris. Kenya Toyota Club has established that these two brands were developed to market the car. The car is a 1000 cc and therefore it is ideal for Kenyan roads. You can drive from Buruburu or Langata to town and back with 2 litres of fuel. Its fuel capacity is 42 liters.
The car comes in two different engines. One is turbo charged. This is ideal for the power fanatics. The men prefer the turbo engine. There are efi and VVTi models of this car.
The car can easily be spiced up into a sport look both on the interior and the exterior. It makes it look hotter.

The speedometer and the fuel meter are at the center. This gives the driver better view of the front with a lower dashboard and a shorter bonnet.

The car is available in manual and automatic transmission.

The Toyota Wish was released in 2005. As usual, the car had to do its rounds in Asia mostly Japan, before it hopped into the ship to Africa. Finally it is here. It appeared in Kenya in 2009 and is has taken the country by storm. Were it not for the great sales that the fielder had, it could have been overtaken by the Wish. This is the minivan to eye in the Kenyan market.
Most of these cars are 1.8 L to 2.0 L VVTi engines. This makes it as fuel efficient as the Toyota Premio that is a darling car for Kenyans. The engine is a 4 cylinder 16 valve which gives it enough energy to propel the car that has a displacement of 1794cc for specifics.

It has a wide carriage space which is expandable by detaching the rear seats. It can be a four or 6 seater but in Kenya it can carry 8. I will not be amazed if I see it with a yellow line working as a shuttle. But I would advice otherwise. The car is too cool for such kind of work. It also ample seating and leg room and this makes the car an ideal MPV.
Some of its great features include:
Compression Ration - 10:1
Maximum output - 97 KW (132PS) translates to 6,000 rpm
Maximum torque - 170 Nm (17.3 KGm) / 4,200 rpm
The fuel tank capacity is 60 liters. It does an average of 14 kilometers per liter. This is enough to drive from Nairobi to Nakuru and back and it will still remain.
It has an ABS braking system which is improved by EB Distribution
It has vehicle stability and traction control



There is also enough legroom for the driver and the passenger since the gear lever is placed strategically on the lower dashboard adjacent to the glove compartment.

The car has a rear wipe and stylish LED Break lights and high mount LED Stop Lamp. Its lamps are improved with better reflector material and this gives it a complete 2010 look.
The car comes in many colors ranging from Silver to Grey, Red, Blue and White.
The Toyota Wish is preferred by many Kenyans since it has ample space on the interior and the trunk. It serves the purpose of the smaller RAV 4 and the Fielder. Lovers of Toyota Caldina also love this car.

This is the car that has made a fuss throughout the globe. It was released in 4 generations with the last release being in 2010.


Advantages

Fuel Consumption - The car uses an average of 4.7 liters per 100 kilometers. This is the car every Kenyan Should have. With fuel worth Ksh 500, you will last as long as 2 weeks if you live around the city.
Environmental pollution - The car emits insignificant amounts of carbon dioxide and therefore this is an Eco-friendly car.

Facts

1. It is the first mass produced fully hybrid car. It is also the most popular hybrid car in the world. It sells at least 2 million units worldwide.
   
2. Developed in 1997. Sold only in Japan up to 2001 when it ventured world wide. It currently sells in over 70 countries in the world. There are at least 500 of these in Kenya.
3. Most fuel efficient vehicle in the world. This has made is the best seller in North America and Japan.

Toyota NZE

Toyota NZE is a common car on Kenyan roads. It was released as an improved version of Toyota Corolla and Kenyans fell in love with the model right away. It has a better shape, more space and it is more fuel efficient.

With the Toyota NZE, Kenyans have a wide range of choice. The versions include:

Toyota NZE Luxel, Toyota NZE X-Edition,

Toyota NZE Assista, Toyota NZE G -Edition.

X-Assista
The X-Assista is the base model. That is; it has just the basic parts of the NZE with the fancy details missing.

It has no power mirrors and windows
It has no molding on doors
It has no headrests on the back seat

The only advantage of the X-Assista is that it is economical fuel wise. It is 1300cc.

The X-Series
This is a better version of the X-Assista. It is either 1300cc or 1500cc.
It has matching door handles and side mirrors,
It has molding on the doors
It has powered side mirrors
It has headrests on the back seats
The navigator and TV are optional. Some models comes with DVD too

The G Series
It is 1500cc

It has matching door handles and side mirrors
It has molding on the doors
It has powered side mirrors
It has headrests on the back seats
It has a navigator and climate control
It has the best quality of seat covers

The LUXEL Series

It is 1800cc

It has matching door handles and side mirrors
It has molding on the doors
It has powered side mirrors
It has headrests on the back seats
It has a navigator and climate control
It has wood grain finish on the interior
It has the best quality of seat covers

Toyota NZE cars also offer a choice of automatic and manual gear transmission. There are many colors ranging from White, Black, Navy-blue, Silver, Beige, Maroon and Green.

There are EFI engines for the older models are VVTI engines for the newer models.

A VVTi Engine

Its features include:

Since the Toyota NZE is considered a convenience car, most of its features revolve around offering convenience. These are;

Air conditioner, CD Player, Power Steering,

Central Lock, Radio, Auto Retract Mirrors,

Power windows, Dual SRS Airbags, ALB (Antil Lock Breaks)

The Toyota NZE has comfortable seats and wide leg area and this makes it a compact car even for long distance travelers. However, for an efficient engine performance, service is advice after traveling 4000 kilometers.

Variations:

There are variations of the Toyota NZE that are also common in Kenya. These variations are produced to offer variety and to cater for all customer needs. The variations include:

Toyota Fielder

This is the station wagon version of the Toyota NZE. It has a wider boot area and the rear seat can be folded to increase the carriage space. Apart from the body shape, all other specs are similar to the Toyota NZE saloon.

However, there is a 2010 release that has a sleek body shape and a wider interior space offering more comfort.

Toyota Fielder 2007 Model

Toyota Fielder 2010 release

Toyota Runx & Allex

This is a sports version of the Toyota NZE. The main difference is the rear shape. The Runx/ Allex adopts a unique rear shape. It has a rear door. Kenyans who have the car claim it is faster and this could be due to its shape.

What is the difference between Toyota Runx and Allex?

The Badge alone.

These models are the same in every way. They come in engine capacities of 1500 cc and 1800 cc. They are all VVTi engines with a number that are tiptronic. They adopt a sporty look having chrome panels and they look great on chrome rims. They are fast and they are all 6 speed.

Toyota Allex

Toyota Allex Interiors

Toyota Runx

The Run-X Engine

A great 4 wheel drive SUV that has been in production for over 60 years. The car has matured to a state of art VVTI powered engine with great power and perfect torque.

The 2010 version of the landcruiser is a complete package with a DVD/VCD music system coming along with two wireless headphones. Entertainment enhancement comes along with a display screen single rear middle.

The lighting system is characterized by high pressure headlight cleaners.

This new version has a refrigerated storage compartment center. For safety purposes, the car has a collision warning system which activates seat belts.

Customers have a choice of a wooden & leather steering wheel as well as a luxury trim wood & leather on gearknob.

For the cold season, the Toyota landcruiser has a front facing heated rear seats.

The car has a windshield wipers that come along with automatic intermittent wipes and a rain sensor. Other inclusive specs includes a navigating system and rear spoilers.

Many Kenyans compain that their Toyota cars consume too much fuel after a number of months from the purchase date. This could either be as a result of poor service or as a result of swift depreciation.

FACT: 90% of all the Toyota cars in Kenya are second hand cars.

Paying attention to the fact above, it is evident that many Kenyans buy a car that they dont know it's behavior. Due to this reason, most Kenyans will service all Toyotas after 5000Kms which is believed to be the mileage that a toyota car is supposed to cover between the current service date and the next service.

Servicing your car after 5000kms is fair for the machine but I would always advice that you service your car after a certain period instead of waiting for the number of kilometers. The reason for my advice is that:

1. There are different vehicle propellants and for the diesel propelled engines, combustion is more vigorous and this tires the engine and the filters. A diesel engine might require a more frequent service schedule.
2. Some people use their cars just for home to office and back service. Such a car could take a year before hitting the 5000km target. Having your car engine operating with fuel and oil filtered by a 1 year old filter is risking an engine knock.
3. Many mechanics in Kenya are crooks. As such, at times they dont change all the spares that should be changed when service is due. This continues wearing the car further. Changing service centers once in a while is adviced for this problem.

The bigger the car, the more frequent the service needed. It is always nice to write to us in case you have any doubt about how frequent your services should be.