Toyota reveals radical new Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a great work horse for the brand. Photos: Toyota
Toyota has revealed more details of the next-generation tough operator, the Land Cruiser, and it’s announced that it will use a new lightweight, high-rigidity platform and downsized engines.
Toyota is calling the 300 Series the successor to the outgoing 200 Series that has been in production since 2007.
The updated version rides on a new GA-F platform for ladder frame trucks that is expected to also underpin the Lexus LX when its full model change debuts as early as next year.
The new architecture helps shed 200kg of body weight and is 20 percent more rigid.
Toyota says the new platform and other technologies offer a slew of safety and performance improvements for a smoother ride on city streets and more ability to handle off-road challenges.
The Toyota Land Cruiser gains a new hybrid hydraulic-electric steering system.
It gains a new hybrid hydraulic-electric steering system that can support such functions as lane tracing assist for the two- or three-row SUV. Off-road, the new steering setup also delivers better maneuverability at low speeds with a reduced kickback from bumps and ruts.
The lighter platform allows for a lower center of gravity and better front-rear weight distribution. The new suspension also delivers better driving dynamics on-road and off. The Land Cruiser also gets a high-mount double-wishbone setup.
In the rear is a new trailing-link, rigid axle system, with better shock absorber positioning to improve comfort and steering.
A Torsen Limited Slip Differential from Toyota Group supplier JTEKT Corp. helps improve rear wheel traction by automatically distributing torque between the left and right wheels.
The Land Cruiser also has an expanded multi-terrain select function to better tailor driving in six modes, including dirt, sand, mud, deep snow, and rock.
At the same time, a multi-terrain monitor allows the driver to check blind spots around the SUV with four cameras – including an "underfloor view" that combines previously taken images to show what is beneath the vehicle.
The updated version rides on a new GA-F platform for ladder frame.
Under the hood, the new SUV drops the long-running V8 powerplants for two V6 options – a 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine and a 3.3-liter V6 twin-turbo diesel. The gasoline power plant achieves about 415 hp, while the diesel delivers around 309 hp.
Both are mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota said the downsized turbocharged engines achieve better performance and fuel economy than the outgoing V8 offerings.