Trending :Toyota Mark II, Making a mark

One of the most fancied cars in Uganda, it has won over many hearts irrespective of which generation.

This longish car at 4,735 mm (186.4 in) is the ninth and last generation of Mark II. Its width is 1,760 mm (69 in). It hosted several new technologies for Toyota. As is the case with previous generations, it is liked by many people in Uganda, especially first or second-time car owners that have made some money and want to flash some of it.

The first series, called the Toyota Corona Mark II was an all-new vehicle at its introduction in 1968 that sought to offer a car that was just under Japanese government regulations concerning maximum vehicle dimensions and engine displacement.

Toyota was known at the time as a small, economy car manufacturer and the Mark II allowed Toyota to establish itself as a more mainstream, international automaker. Using the established platform of the Toyota Corona sedan but slightly larger and wider, it was offered as a competitor to the then newly introduced Nissan Laurel, and the Nissan Bluebird. The Toyota Mark II became very popular in the 1980s.

According to Davis Musoke, a small-scale dealer, in Uganda, the following generations were and some are still popular: The fifth generation (1985-1988 X70 series), the sixth generation (1988-1992 X80 series), the seventh generation (1992-1996 X90 series) with a thin long tail light cutting across, the eighth generation (1996-2000 X100 series) and the ninth generation (2000-2004 X 110 series) also locally called Kitala (owing to its big front and tail lights).

The Mark II (2000-2004 X110 series) introduced the world to a comfortable front engine, rear drive vehicle that was larger than older Toyotas while maintaining an affordable price and better fuel economy than vehicles with larger straight six and V8 engines. The new 2.5L with the designation of 1JZ-FSE is the first application of direct injection for mass production on a Toyota passenger vehicle.

This version of the JZ series engine features a redesign head to optimise fuel economy and performance. All the different engines available in this model came with VVT-i technology. As expected of luxury sedans, the X110 has a CD and DVD player, air conditioner, power steering, power windows, power mirrors, ABS, central door lock, keyless entry and airbags among other features.

After some time, Toyota discontinued the Chaser and Cresta nameplates and created the Verossa.
Toyota also eliminated the Tourer S and Tourer V and instead called their sportier version 2.5 Grande iR-S and 2.5 Grande iR-V, respectively. iR meaning Intelligent Rapidly.

Another model introduced by Toyota for the Mark II is their special edition, Regalia, which marks the 35th Anniversary of the Mark II nameplate. In 2002, the Mark II Blit was introduced as the replacement of the Toyota Mark II Qualis, and it shared a platform with the Mark II rear wheel drive sedan. Its production ended in 2007.

Musoke says, “This mid-size Mark II (X110) sedan is related to the Cressida, Chaser, Cresta and the Verossa that replaced it alongside the Mark X.” Pricing for the X110 series varies from dealer to dealer but ranges between Shs8m to Shs30m while that of the X100 varies from Shs7m to Shs18m. Older models like the X90 are much cheaper.

jkatende@ug.nationmedia.com