New Toyota Land Cruiser breaks cover
More than 11 million Land Cruisers have been sold to date
An all-new Toyota Land Cruiser will arrive in 2024 and the Japanese car maker has given the renowned off-road vehicle a radical new look.
Designers say they have tapped into the large 4×4’s DNA, with the new version featuring a body look that is both modern and rugged, though with one eye on its heritage.
The styling of the latest generation Land Cruiser harks back to its origins and adopts a form-follows-function design.
To give it better off-road performance, the front and rear overhangs have been reduced to increase approach and departure angles, and all body panels are designed to be easily replaced if damaged.
A limited-run Land Cruiser First Edition model will tap into its heritage and features a classic round headlight look and will be available with bi-tone Sand or Smoky Blue with a contrasting white roof.
Only 3,000 examples of the latter version are earmarked for the European market, which will make them a rare sight on our roads.
Buyers will have the choice of five- or seven-seat configurations and the cabin features a design that is specifically designed to help when driving off-road.
The instrument panel is arranged horizontally with panels and switches shaped for easy operation.
A lower cowl enhances the driver’s visibility, and the belt line allows deeper side windows to be fitted.
Better on-road, more agile off-road
A new feature in the Land Cruiser is the fitment of electric power steering. Toyota claims the EPS system reduces kickback when driving over rough surfaces and gives the driver a smoother and more accurate feel while improving manoeuvrability at low speeds.
For the first time in the Land Cruiser, the driver will be able to disconnect the front anti-roll bar via a switch on the dashboard. This is designed to improve driveability on rough roads while enabling better handling on smooth asphalt.
Helping drivers when off-road is a Multi-Terrain Select system that can automatically adapt the Land Cruiser’s performance to suit a variety of different settings. The supplemental Multi-Terrain Monitor provides support through a high-resolution camera that can show the driver a clear view of the area around and beneath the vehicle.
In addition to these, the full suite of Toyota Safety Sense systems is available.
The Land Cruiser will use a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine producing 204hp and paired with a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. It will have a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg.
In 2025 Toyota will add an electrified powertrain to the Land Cruiser line up featuring an efficient diesel engine with 48-volt mild hybrid technology to improve fuel economy.
Order books for the Toyota Land Cruiser will open in the fourth quarter of this year and pricing will be confirmed closer to that time. The first customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2024.
Enviable heritage
The Land Cruiser debuted 72 years ago as the Toyota BJ, famously becoming the first vehicle to successfully climb to the sixth station on the slopes of Mount Fuji. Since then, the model series has sold more than 11 million units.
Renowned for its off-road performance and durability, it is used by off-road enthusiasts, military and farmers, explorers and farmers worldwide.
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