Sometimes, just sometimes, a car maker will get something absolutely right. In this case, it’s Toyota and the new Land Cruiser. Now, if any vehicle encapsulates what it means to drive into the wild and forgotten landscape, then the car that springs to mind is the Toyota Land Cruiser. It has, in its various incarnations over the years, appeared in movies, on news bulletins and at outdoor automotive adventure centres. It is a truly beloved off-roader, known for its tough go-anywhere reputation. Now it’s back, or it will be during 2024, but will it be worth the wait?
Land Cruiser was born seventy-two years ago as the ‘BJ’,when it demonstrated its strength and capabilities from the outset. The good news is that the legendary Land Cruiser DNA has been combined with new technologies to deliver higher levels of performance both off-road and in everyday use. The result, say Toyota, strengthens the vehicle’s global reputation for being transport owners can trust to get them safely to their destination, and back, even in the toughest conditions.
Toyota’s mission for the Land Cruiser has been to provide people with a vehicle that will take them to their destination in safety and security, even in the harshest environments. The resulting reputation for toughness based on experiences around the world has proved invaluable to the Japanese brand in evolving the off-roader’s essential strengths of reliability, durability and the ability to tackle rough road conditions.
The New GA-F Platform
The new Land Cruiser retains its classic, robust body-on-a-frame construction, adopting a brand new platform which plays a key role in significantly improving off-road performance. At the same time, the new model is said to be easy to manoeuvre and more comfortable in conventional on-road driving, true to Toyota’s commitment to making this model a vehicle that’s practical and tailored to customers’ day-to-day needs, just as it has always been.
The new platform is much more rigid than previously which increases responsiveness, handling and ride comfort, they say. Basic suspension performance has also been enhanced, notably to help secure increased wheel articulation, always a key factor in off-road driving capability.
New Electric Power Steering
This is the first Land Cruiser to use an electric power steering (EPS) system. This reduces the amount of kickback that can occur when driving over rough surfaces and provides smoother, more direct steering and easier manoeuvrability at all speeds. Using EPS also allows the new Land Cruiser to feature Lane Tracing Assist as part of its Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance package.
Another Toyota first of interest to users of these robust cars is the capability to disconnect the front anti-roll bar. This technology, called unromantically the ‘Stabiliser with Disconnection Mechanism’ is a new Toyota feature that enables the driver to change the status of the anti-roll bar (stabiliser) using a switch on the dashboard. This flexibility, we learn, allows for better drive-ability on rough roads and greater comfort and easier handling in on-road driving.
Upgrades to the Multi-Terrain Monitor and Multi-Terrain Select provide further support when driving off-road. Using a high resolution camera and display, the Multi-Terrain Monitor gives the driver a clear view of the area immediately around and beneath the vehicle; the Multi-Terrain Select system automatically adapts vehicle performance to suit the demands of different off-road driving conditions.
New Power
The new power-train reflects Toyota’s focus on ensuring the model is designed and engineered to support people’s lifestyles and livelihoods, carrying forward the model’s long-established reputation for reliability and on and off-road durability. Initially, in the UK and Western Europe, the new Land Cruiser will be introduced with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel unit engineered for a strong balance of fuel efficiency and performance. It produces a maximum 201bhp (150kW/203PS) and is matched to a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission, giving it the strength to tow loads of up to 3,500kg. Apparently, in line with the times, an electrified power-train combining the powerful and efficient diesel engine with 48-Volt mild hybrid technology will be available in early 2025.
Sticking With Tradition
Devotees will note from our images that the vehicle just looks right. It is how we expect a Land Cruiser to look: Robust and practical. Tradition has been blended with modernity to create a timeless look that expresses the vehicle’s ability to withstand harsh conditions. The styling also captures the functional beauty that’s found in the best professional tools.
The chunky, tough look expresses the “back to its origins” quality of the new Land Cruiser, but it is also highly practical with a form-follows-function approach. Off-road performance is helped by shorter overhangs, sculpted corners and a narrowed lower body, and body parts have been designed for easy replacement in the event of damage.
In profile, the exterior design displays a classic Land Cruiser silhouette, with strong horizontal lines. The new model will benefit from the latest Toyota Safety Sense systems within a comprehensive package of advanced safety features and technologies that reduce the burden on the driver. The classic round headlights remain.
The Interior
The interior offers a choice of five or seven-seat configurations, with a design that evokes the strength and functionality of an authentic off-roader. This is witnessed in details such as the horizontally arranged instrument panel and proper switches that are shaped for easy operation, even when driving over challenging terrain.
The driver’s all-round visibility has been given priority, helped by the low-set cowl, horizontal instrument panel and a lowered belt line that allows deeper side windows to be fitted.
Interested?
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