TOYOTA CITY: Toyota has unveiled the new Land Cruiser "250" Series to the world, with the launch planned for the first half of 2024 in Japan.
Also announced today is the heavy-duty Land Cruiser "70", which will make its return to Japan this coming winter as a regular model in the range. This will result in all three Land Cruiser series again being available in Japan - the Land Cruiser "300" being the third one. The 300 Series had already made its world debut in June 2021.
The new 250 Series is a core Land Cruiser model with the same GA-F platform as the 300 Series to dramatically improve basic performance as an off-roader.
Three types of Land Cruisers. They are (from left) the 300, 70 and 250 Series.
The 250 Series also comes with various powertrains to achieve even more powerful driving performance and environmental performance worthy of the Land Cruiser name.
Toyota is introducing a hybrid powertrain for the first time in the Land Cruiser. The petrol 2.4-litre turbocharged hybrid in the 250 Series will be the most powerful of the powertrain options offered, producing 330 PS and 630Nm of torque. The hybrid will be targeted at China and North America.
Petrol and diesel-powered versions will be sold in markets such as Japan, Australia, the Middle East, Western and Eastern Europe.
It was created in pursuit of unique Land Cruiser characteristics, incorporating interior and exterior styling that fuses traditional and modern in a functional package.
The aim was to create a next-generation Land Cruiser with improved ease of handling and comfort for both on- and off-road driving, while also delivering class-leading advanced safety performance.
The 250 Series will come with one of two different headlight designs meant for different markets.
Even after the 250 Series is released, the Land Cruiser will continue to evolve.
With the same GA-F platform as the 300 Series, the new 250 Series has dramatically improved off-road performance. As a reliable and practical choice for customers, it has improved ease of handling and comfort for on-road driving as well.
The new 250 Series has 50% increase in frame rigidity and 30% increase in overall rigidity. The suspension has been upgraded with improved wheel articulation, which is an indicator of off-road performance that describes the ability of a tyre to stay on the ground.
The improved on- and off-road driving performance is the result of the adoption of the following systems:
> Electric power steering (EPS) contributes to reduced loss of steering control when driving off-road, provides a crisper steering feel, improves maneuverability at low speeds, and enables Lane Tracing Assist
> It also comes with a Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism (SDM), first used in a Toyota vehicle. A switch-operated function that enables the front stabiliser state to be changed, delivering driving performance and ride comfort when off-road and handling stability when on-road
> The Multi-Terrain Monitor and Multi-Terrain Select have been enhanced for improved off-road driving support.
The 70 Series.
In a fusion of traditional and modern, interior and exterior styling on the 250 Series focuses on three keywords: "reliable" (reliability to withstand harsh usage conditions), "timeless" (timeless simplicity to remain a favorite), and "professional" (refined functional beauty common to lean professional tools).
It will come with one of two front ends — one with slim rectangular headlights and the other round headlights for different markets.
Exterior styling employs horizontal lines to reproduce the unique Land Cruiser silhouette, while interior styling has shifted from a high-end, luxury ambiance to the feeling of true off-road functionality.
Coupled with a sturdy and stable interior space, horizontal instrument panel, and switch shapes that are clear and easy to operate in a range of driving conditions, styling contributes to improved functionality even on rough roads.
The 250 Series achieves good forward visibility through a low-set cowl and instrument panel top surface, which contribute to safe on- and off-road driving.
The Land Cruiser 300 that was launched in 2021.
It also employs a low beltline to improve visibility of road surfaces even on rough roads. While dramatically improving off-road driving performance on the traditional Land Cruiser wheelbase, this series has a shorter mirror-to-mirror width to ensure good maneuverability.
With the durability of parts and easy repairs in the event of breakages, the design also takes customisability into account to allow users to enjoy their Land Cruiser in their own unique ways.
Toyota Safety Sense, the latest active safety package with advanced and improved functions, is standard on all new Land Cruiser grades. The range of detectable accidents has been expanded even further, enabling enjoyable driving with peace of mind.
Meanwhile, the 70 Series is making its return to Japan as a regular model in the range, offering original features that have evolved with the times.
Instead of the traditional gasoline-powered engine, the new 70 Series comes with an updated 2.8-litre 1GD turbo diesel engine powertrain that boasts outstanding reliability. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (6 Super ECT).
It promises the tough off-road performance only available from a high-torque, high-output diesel engine, while achieving a low-noise, quiet ride and improved fuel economy.
The 70 Series is based on an original ladder frame for high durability and reliability, with improved on-road comfort while maintaining outstanding off-road driving performance.
Launched originally as the Toyota BJ on August 1, 1951, the Land Cruiser series is now 72 years old.
With cumulative sales of about 11.3 million units (include Lexus LX and GX as at June) in 170 countries and regions around the world, it has supported the lives and livelihoods of people everywhere.
Until now, the Land Cruiser range has been divided into three different series-the Station Wagon that always showcases the latest technologies and has evolved into the flagship model (currently the 300 Series), the Heavy-Duty model with outstanding durability and off-road driving performance (the 70 Series), and the Light Duty model that provides ease of handling and comfort on an off-road base as a lifestyle and practical choice for customers (Prado).
The Light Duty Series has tended to shift towards high-end and luxury models as the generations have evolved.
In developing the 250 Series, then-president Akio Toyoda, who has the ultimate responsibility for product development, explained his basic approach as, "The Land Cruiser should be a car that supports people's lives and local communities, so the Light Duty model must return to the true form that customers are looking for."
In response, the development team defined the concept as returning to the origin of the Land Cruiser. With the spirit of rebuilding the model, they created a simple and sturdy vehicle that can be relied by customers to fulfill their lifestyle choices and practical needs.
