Ask any Kenyan to mention a popular car in our streets
and if the Vitz is not mentioned the answer would probably be the Probox. So
what are they really?
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| Toyota Vitz |
The Vitz is a compact car launched in 1999 but debut
in Kenya in 2004 through the second hand market. Its basic model (popular with
ladies) has a small 1000cc engine with a fuel consumption of 4.5 litres per 100
km covered. The powerful version known as the RS (quite popular with the men)
has 1400cc engine married to a small turbo charger. The ‘couples’ give the RS a
total of 145 hp and a top speed of 155km/h. A normal Vitz has room for four
occupants.
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| Rear of the Vitz |
The interior feels rather cuddly. For a mother with naughty kids, the
cuddly interior makes it easy for her to get hold of them for some high-tech
beating. In the RS version the normal front seats are replaced with sports
seat. The rear seats are also more comfortable. It also has a large rear
spoiler and well styled 18 inch wheels. The normal Vitz has a 4 speaker system
single CD radio while the RS has a 6 speaker single CD radio.
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| Cuddly Vitz interior |
Both versions are cheap to maintain. They have huge
space at the boot which can be further boosted by folding the rear seats. They
also have easy maneuverability in traffic jams and they fit in tiny parking
spaces. The Vitz is also available as a
4 door saloon known as the Platz. Another version known as the Fun Cargo has
plenty of room for both occupant comfort and transportation of goods. The Vitz
popularity is slowly been overtaken by a new comer the Probox
 |
| Toyota Probox |
From it name you get the feeling that the engineers at
Toyota City hoped to create a propelled box hence the name Probox. The Probox, which
was launched in 2006 and debut in Kenya in 2008, is actually made to be a
commercial vehicle for delivery of goods to any given destination. Its huge
4 litre boot space ensures that it can carry lots of items of any shape and
size.
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| 'All white and ready to serve' |
This has made it so popular with Kenyan entrepreneurs. The boot can also
be modified to be a fridge to carry perishable goods. Its popular rear seat,
which many regard as uncomfortable, is designed that way so that it can fold
flat. It has a 1500 cc engine that consumes around a litre more compared to the
basic Vitz. The engine has an output of 105 hp enough to deliver goods at any
given destination in time.
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| Rear of the Probox |
Another version of the Probox called the Succeed
which has a prettier shape, good seats and stylish allow wheels is on offer.
The top of the range Succeed version has a powerful 2000cc engine which has an
output of 170 hp. It has a top speed of 180 km/h which is 20 more compared to
the Probox.
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| The Succeed |
The Succeed also has a rear spoiler and 16 inch alloy
wheels on the top of the range models. In the Succeed, the rear bench is
replaced with comfortable seats that can also fold to create more room for the
boot. Both versions can carry five occupants thanks to their roomy interior.
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| Succeed Interior with comfortable rear seats |
The Probox comes fitted with an AM/FM four speaker radio unit while the Succeed
is available with a single CD AM/FM 6 speaker unit. The Probox is therefore
more of a commercial vehicle while the Succeed is more of a family car with the
benefits found in the Probox.
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| The Probox cockpit |
Prices for the normal Vitz start from Kshs. 550,000
while the Platz, Succeed and Fun Cargo prices start from Kshs. 650,000. The
Vitz RS price starts from Kshs. 750,000.
While they share the same surname, it seems that their
different characteristics have contributed to their ever rising popularity in
Kenya.
Total word 630
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