After a long wait, the new 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series has been officially revealed ahead of an Australia launch in the final quarter of this year.
Toyota claims the 300 Series is “the most capable LandCruiser ever, expanding its unrivalled reputation for on-road refinement, off-road performance, reliability and durability.”
As has long been suspected, the popular V8 turbo-diesel engine will be replaced by a new 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel unit that produces 227kW and 700Nm. For context, that’s up 27kW (+13.5 per cent) and 50Nm (+7.7 per cent) when compared to the outgoing 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel V8’s 200kW and 650Nm.
The move to a smaller capacity engine follows the global downsizing trend to meet the strict emissions targets in some markets.
Globally, the LandCruiser 300 Series will also get the option of a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that develops 305kW and 650Nm, however, it’s likely to be exclusively diesel-powered in Australia. There’s also speculation a hybrid powertrain will be available at some stage.
Both of the V6 engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Interestingly, some markets will use a naturally-aspirated V6 petrol unit paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While Toyota is yet to reveal details, expect the V6 to be the old 4.0-litre 271kW/385Nm unit.
The 300 Series utilises the TNGA-F body-on-frame platform which the brand says provides greater body rigidity, reduced mass, better weight distribution and a lower centre of gravity.
Across the range, the kerb weight has dropped by “more than 100kg” while the towing capacity is maintained at 3.5 tonnes.
The LandCruiser’s off-road prowess is said to be improved by a new suspension set-up offering increased wheel articulation.
Higher grades will available with the new electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (e-KDSS) that offers a larger suspension stroke by disabling the front and rear stabiliser bars.
Other firsts include a new Multi-Terrain Monitor that instantly displays obstacles as viewed from the driver's viewpoint and the adoption of a Multi-Terrain Select function that automatically judges the road surface and selects the best driving mode.
Safety also gets a boost with radar cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and speed sign recognition available across the range.
The latest Toyota Safety Sense active safety package for LandCruiser incorporates a pre-collision system that helps avoid a collision or reduce damage by detecting pedestrians (daytime and night-time) and cyclists (daytime).
While individual grade details are yet to be confirmed, Toyota will offer a LandCruiser 300 Series GR Sport variant with unique exterior styling for a sportier appearance.
Locally, the LandCruiser 300 Series is scheduled to reach showrooms in the final quarter of this year, full specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the launch date.
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