PADRAIC DEANE
Toyota has given us with the first look at the all-new Land Cruiser.
The legendary model that has been synonymous with strength and reliability for more than 70 years, selling over 11.3 million units globally in the process.
In Ireland, the Land Cruiser has been a massive seller in the commercial version, currently accounting of 55 per cent of all Toyota light commercial vehicle (LCV ) sales (1,524 of the 2,750 Toyota total ), and Land Cruiser Commercial sales are up this year so far by just over 30 per cent on the a similar period last year. The Land Cruiser Commercial is the number two seller in LCVs in July. This year, there have been no Toyota Land Cruiser Passenger registrations.
While it is early for pricing for Ireland to be announced just yet, Toyota Motor Europe says it will open pre-sales of the new Land Cruiser for customers this October, with first vehicle deliveries expected in the first half of next year (2024 ).
Toyota says the new Land Cruiser retains its classic, robust body-on-frame construction, and claims the new frame is 50 per cent more rigid and the combined body and frame rigidity is greater by 30 percent.
This will be the first Land Cruiser to use an electric power steering (EPS ) system. Toyota says this reduces the amount of kickback that can occur when driving over rough surface 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.
In this part of the world, the new Land Cruiser will be introduced with a 2.8-litre turbodiesel unit engineered for a strong balance of fuel efficiency and performance.
The brand states that this produces a maximum 204 DIN hp/150 kW and is matched to a new eight-speed direct shift automatic transmission, giving it the strength to tow loads of up to 3,500 kg.
In early 2025, Toyota says an electrified powertrain combining the powerful and efficient diesel engine with 48-Volt mild hybrid technology will be available.
The new Land Cruiser is set to gain further off-road capability with a new disconnecting front anti-roll bar. The technology – SDM (Stabiliser with Disconnection Mechanism ) – is a Toyota first and enables the driver to change the status of the anti-roll bar (stabiliser ) using a switch on the dashboard.
Toyota claims this flexibility allows for better drivability on rough roads and greater comfort and easier handling in on-road driving.
The overall length of the new Land Cruiser is 4,920 mm, width is 1,980 mm and the height is 1,870 mm; the wheelbase is 2,850 mm. Meanwhile the interior offers a choice of five or seven-seat configurations.
The all-new Land Cruiser will be introduced in Europe with a special First Edition model, available exclusively for customers to reserve during the initial pre-sales period from October this year.
Toyota says this will be a limited-run version, with around 3,000 units expected to be built for Europe. Details include classic round headlights and two dedicated bi-tone exterior paintwork finishes: Sand and Smoky Blue.
