Inside CJ Koome's New Ksh23M Toyota Land Cruiser Sports Car [PHOTOS]

Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome on Thursday, June 1 made a grand entrance to the Madaraka Day celebrations at Moi Stadium in Embu with her new vehicle which grabbed Kenyans' attention due to its exquisite specifications.

Meet the new Toyota LC300 GR Sport SUV, which she arrived in and which sports a pitch-black look down to its wheels and was a headline-grabber as she arrived at the celebrations to commemorate 60 years since Kenya attained self-governance in 1963.

The black sports car launched in Japan on August 2, 2021, was labelled with the customised number plate CJ 1 to indicate that this was her new official car, an upgrade from the Land Cruiser 200 she was known for.

Various car dealers estimate that the SUV ranges between Ksh20-23 million, an upgrade from her LC200 which cost Ksh15 million.

A photo collage of the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sports car used by Chief Justice Martha Koome on June 1, 2023. /VIRALTEAKE

Land Cruiser 300 GR Features

The Land Cruiser first participated in the Dakar Rally, known as the world's toughest race, in 1995, and has continued to take part in the production car category for more than 25 years since then.

For the new 300 Series Land Cruiser, and for the GR Sport model in particular, feedback from drivers participating in the rally was used for vehicle development; the goal was to implement improvements and create a vehicle that was secure, easy to drive, yet difficult to tire in even the harshest driving conditions, and thereby make "ever-better cars" through motorsports.

One of the standout features of the vehicles is the dominant brand of the wording - TOYOTA - on the front bumper, which is different from the traditional logo.

Also indicated is the GR emblem, which stands for Gazoo Racing, related to the team which competes in FIA's World Rally Championship (WRC) (as TGR WRT), World Endurance Championship and World Rally-Raid Championship.

"Alongside the implementation of E-KDSS, the new Land Cruiser features optimized spring constants and AVS for outstanding steering stability. It is also equipped with a significantly lengthened suspension stroke and the longest wheel articulation of any generation in the series," Toyota explains on its official website.

The GR Sport is equipped with both front and rear electronic differential locks, contributing to improved performance in a variety of off-road environments.

Other features include a special radiator grille, special front bumper and rear bumper, exclusive wheel arch moulding (Black), rear Toyota emblem (Acrylic + Black), special rear mudguards, 18-inch aluminium wheels (Mud Grey colour) and special lower back door decals.

Its interior features a special genuine leather-wrap steering wheel (machined carbon-weave pattern with GR emblem), a special start-up screen (when equipped with T-Connect Navigation System), special front seats (with GR emblems) and interior decoration (machined carbon-weave panels), an interior colour: GR-exclusive Black; GR-exclusive Black and Dark Red as well as a smart key.