Anyone who thinks of a real off-road vehicle dreams not only of the Mercedes G-Class, the Land Rover Defender or a Jeep Wrangler, but also a Toyota Land Cruiser. After 2007, the Japanese are rolling out a completely new model on the world markets for the first time.
The car brand Toyota is much more than economical hybrid models or the American bestseller Camry. The rustic Land Cruiser has been an integral part of the broad model portfolio with many an intercontinental orientation for decades. There is an all-purpose weapon for off-road and hard work all over the world also as a luxury model, previously under the internal name LC 200. The previous LC 200, which has not been available in Europe for a long time, has had its day and will get a successor this summer, which is not surprising has the internal designation LC 300. In Europe, the competitor from Range Rover, Mercedes GLS or BMW X7 plays no role and is only offered in Russia. In the USA or the United Arab Emirates, however, the battleship has been a successful model for decades and that is unlikely to change with the new edition in almost identical dimensions. Since the market launch in 1951, more than 10.4 million vehicles have been sold in more than 170 nations worldwide. The Land Cruiser family produces around 300,000 vehicles each year – no real SUV is more successful.
The appearance of the new generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser has become more modern, but also more massive. Visually, no thought of the fact that he has lost up to 200 kilograms with new materials and corresponding technologies. The front with the massive grill and the narrow headlight eyes is downright monolithic. The imposing design continues on the flank with a corresponding high window parapet and an equally massive rear design. Inside, the five-meter-long off-road vehicle offers ample space for five adults and, if necessary, two more people can sit in the third row of seats.
The interior is very classic with a view of the main markets in the Emirates and the USA. There are, for example, somewhat surprisingly analog round clocks that surround a central digital display in the middle and a non-oversized multifunctional screen in the middle of the dashboard, under which there are switches for air conditioning, main menu items, as well as driving modes and all-wheel drive programs. The center console is dominated by a lush gear selector lever, two large cup holders, a charging cradle for a smartphone and a leather-covered center armrest. Not only can the various operating functions be viewed on the central screen, but you can also see how the Land Cruser 300 performs in tough off-road use by staging the individual wheels along with the power flow and steering angle or showing objects that appear to be invisible in front of the vehicle and could damage it.
Contrary to what one would have expected, the Toyota Land Cruiser is not offered as a hybrid variant in its new LC-300 generation either. With a view to the main markets, there is mandatory all-wheel drive and ten-speed automatic. The luxury Japanese, on the move on the new GA-F platform, is optionally powered by a newly developed 3.5-liter V6, which has an output of 305 kW / 415 hp thanks to double turbocharging. In addition, there is a particularly economical and high-torque 3.3-liter common rail diesel with 227 kW / 309 hp. For special markets with low fuel quality there will be an additional naturally aspirated V6 with six-speed automatic. For years, the Toyota Land Cruiser has also been used very successfully by aid organizations or as an armored version in the embassy service in remote regions around the world, which appreciate its indestructible character. The previously available V8 engines – diesel and gasoline engines with a displacement of 4.5 liters each – have been completely banned from the drive portfolio. That should bring a consumption reduction of at least ten percent.
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
