TOKYO – The following-generation Toyota Land Cruiser will use a brand new light-weight, high-rigidity platform, downsized engines and suspension updates.
Toyota launched the reworked Land Cruiser on Monday, calling it the 300 Collection because the successor to the outgoing 200 Collection that has been in manufacturing since 2007.
The up to date model rides on a brand new GA-F platform for ladder body vans that’s anticipated to additionally underpin the Lexus LX, when its full mannequin change debuts as early as subsequent yr.
The brand new structure helps shed 200 kg (440 kilos) of physique weight and is 20 p.c extra inflexible.
Toyota says the brand new platform and different applied sciences supply a slew of security and efficiency enhancements for a smoother experience on metropolis streets and extra potential to deal with off-road challenges.
On highway, a brand new hybrid hydraulic-electric steering system can assist such features as lane tracing help for the two- or three-row SUV. However off highway, the brand new steering setup additionally delivers higher maneuverability at low speeds with decreased kickback from bumps and ruts.
The lighter platform permits for a decrease heart of gravity and a greater front-rear weight distribution. The brand new suspension additionally delivers higher driving dynamics on-road and off. Up entrance, the Land Cruiser will get a high-mount double-wishbone setup.
Within the rear is a brand new trailing-link, inflexible axle system, with higher shock absorber positioning to enhance consolation and steering.
A Torsen Restricted Slip Differential from Toyota Group provider JTEKT Corp. helps enhance rear wheel traction by robotically distributing torque between the left and proper wheels.
The Land Cruiser additionally has an expanded multi-terrain choose perform to higher tailor driving in six modes, together with grime, sand, mud, deep snow and rock.
On the identical time, a multi-terrain monitor permits the motive force to examine blind spots across the SUV with 4 cameras – together with an “underfloor view” that mixes beforehand taken photos to point out what’s beneath the car.
Beneath the hood, the brand new SUV drops the long-running V8 powerplants for 2 V6 choices – a 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine and a 3.3-liter V6 twin-turbo diesel. The gasoline energy plant achieves about 415 hp, whereas the diesel delivers round 309 hp.
Each are mated to a brand new 10-speed computerized transmission.
Toyota mentioned the downsized turbocharged engines obtain higher efficiency and gas financial system than the outgoing V8 choices.
Within the Japan-specification Land Cruiser, for instance, gas financial system over the earlier technology was improved roughly 18 p.c for the gasoline engine grades and about 45 p.c for the diesel engine choices.
Toyota’s figures have been drawn from the European normal — the Worldwide Harmonized Gentle Automobiles Take a look at Process (WLTP), which is much less stringent than the U.S. normal set by the EPA.
A number of recent security applied sciences are amongst different updates.
They embrace a fingerprint sensor on the beginning change. It’s the first utility in a Toyota car, and the system ensures that the individual making an attempt to drive off is a registered driver. Additionally, pedestrian and bicycle detection skills have been added to the pre-collision system.
The 300 Collection additionally is available in a GR Sport version that includes classes discovered from the Land Cruiser’s participation within the Dakar Rally – a grueling cross-country race the Land Cruiser has been working in since 1995.
Amongst these additions is a so-called digital kinetic dynamic suspension system, or E-KDSS, which Toyota calls a world’s first know-how. The system independently controls the entrance and rear stabilizers, robotically reacting to highway circumstances.
The GR Sport version additionally will get extra rugged exterior styling and a blacked-out grille with the Toyota printed in all caps throughout the entrance. The usual grade will get the Toyota emblem.
Toyota mentioned it sells about 300,000 the Land Cruisers a yr in 170 nations however the SUV.
The automaker offered 2,563 models of the SUV in Europe within the first half, up 9 p.c on the yr, in response to knowledge from JATO Dynamics market researchers
Toyota mentioned in December that it’ll retire the Land Cruiser within the U.S. after the present mannequin change.
Developed in Japan in 1951 as a localized reply to the Willys Jeep — the Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest-running mannequin line and linked to its very first days within the U.S.
Gross sales have ebbed and flowed within the intervening many years within the U.S. as different rugged overlanders have proliferated. The $86,880 beginning value (together with transport) was greater than that of many opponents, and finally the Land Cruiser was even outsold by its premium Lexus LX sibling.
Japanese pricing for the Land Cruiser begins at 5.1 million yen ($46,500) and tops out at 8.0 million yen ($72,940) for the GR Sport diesel, together with consumption tax.
The SUV’s body shall be manufactured at Toyota’s Honsha plant in Toyota Metropolis, whereas the car itself shall be assembled at Toyota Auto Physique’s Yoshiwara plant, additionally in Toyota Metropolis.