Ulterio Motiv has launched its first products in South Africa, comprising 6×4 and 6×6 variants of the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser 79.
Ulterio Motiv is the newly launched sister company of well-known vehicle armourer SVI Engineering which is focused on building unique cars for specialist buyers.
Its offerings provide a blank canvas for customers to tailor a vehicle, in this case the Land Cruiser bakkie, for various purposes such as emergency services, camping, or overlanding.
The conversion packages start at R389,950 for the 6×4 and R895,000 for the 6×6, excluding VAT and the price of the vehicle, the latter of which starts at R765,500.
Owners of older Land Cruiser 79 models, either in straight-six, V8, or the newly launched four-cylinder automatic variations, can also get their bakkies converted.
The build time is set at approximately three months, subject to prior sales.
“Ulterio Motiv was founded on the principle of offering alternative solutions in the automotive industry that is useful and captivating,” said proprietor Jaco de Kock.
“This is why we’ve launched these 6×4 and 6×6 versions of the Toyota Land Cruiser, with further exciting products being developed and planned for the future.”
The ultimate Land Cruiser
The 6×4 and 6×6 Land Cruiser 79 conversions start off as a naked chassis that is built up as desired by the customer.
As an example, buyers can specify suspension and bullbar components from Ironman 4×4 (as depicted in the press images), however, they can also choose their own preference depending on their unique requirements.
When the desired accessories are fitted, the new owner can further opt to install a custom drop-side load bin measuring 3.3m x 1.5m, or take the unfinished vehicle to a third-party converter where their own bespoke rear loading area can be designed and built.
The upgraded underpinnings are intended to allow customers to take on the most extreme environments and come out the other side unscathed.
The lengthened driveline of the 6×6 models sees Ulterio Motiv installing a third axle at the rear of the Land Cruiser’s chassis by welding on an extension to the existing ladder frame.
The rear axles are track-corrected, meaning they are slightly wider to allow the tyres to run in line with those at the front.
Additionally, the new axle as well as the existing rear axle are upgraded to provide a higher load-carrying ability.
The souped-up Toyota boasts three diff locks, thus enhancing the off-road prowess of an already highly capable vehicle.
Ulterio Motiv notes that whereas other existing 6×6 systems employ a complex array of drive shafts and gearboxes, its design features a straight-through differential drive from the second to the third axle in combination with a slipper-type clutch, thus the full 6×6 drive is only activated when needed.
An upgraded hydraulic-assisted brake booster with braided hose lines also allows the driver to use less pressure on the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a halt.
Visually, the 6×4 version of the Land Cruiser looks similar to the 6×6 version; the main difference being that the rear axle is not powered by the engine.
However, the standard Toyota 4×4 system remains in place with the third axle in this case only assisting in the load-carrying capacity. The setup of the bogey system on the rear axles ensures that the driven axle always carries 60% of the load to improve traction, said the company.
The 6×4 derivative is also track-corrected and similarly benefits from the upgraded brake system.
As an option, both models can be specified with 35-inch steel wheels that improve grip in off-road conditions when the applicable tyres are fitted.
When all is said and done, the Ulterio Motiv Land Cruiser 6×6 comes in at a gross vehicle mass of 6,050kg – a significant 2,850kg up on that of the standard vehicle – and the 6×4 at 5,500kg.
Owing to the homologated load-carrying ability of the 6×6, it requires a code C1 (previous code 10) licence to operate on public roads.
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