Toyota has taken the wraps of its ever-popular Land Cruiser model, showing off the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series to the world in an event overnight. The new model replaces the 200 Series which has now been on sale locally for the last 14 years. The old model’s V8 engines are gone, and have been replaced by a twin-turbo diesel V6 and twin-turbo petrol V6 instead – though only the former is due for Australian sales. A hybrid model is due to follow in coming years as part of Toyota’s electrification strategy that has seen almost all its models sold as hybrids – even the latest generation Kluger SUV.
Expect the new twin-turbo diesel to be the only engine of offer locally. It might be Toyota’s first twin-turbo diesel V6, but with a capacity of 3.3 litres and an output of 227kW and 700Nm, fans of the the outgoing twin-turbo diesel V8 with its 200kW and 650Nm will enjoy even better performance and efficiency. Toyota has also been readying an all new 10-speed automatic which will be mated to the new diesel engine, further improving driveability.
The 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series also has all-new frame and body structure, thanks to riding on the TNGA-F platform. Whilst “vehicle dimensions including length, width, wheelbase and departure and approach angles are very close to the outgoing model, depending on the variant”, the car does not share a single body panel with the outgoing Series 200. The new platform ushers in higher levels of strength for the body, thanks to use of high strength steels and improved laser welding techniques, improving crash performance and on road behaviour.
The 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series also weighs substantially less than the Series 200, with all models shedding between 100 to 200kg. With the engine now located 28mm lower and 70mm rearwards, expect better handling on and off-road thanks to the lower centre of gravity, now located in between the axles more evenly.
The 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series has redesigned suspension geometry with more upright angles (as shown in the graphic below), and Toyota says the new model has increased wheel articulation, to better handle off-road obstacles.
An optional new electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (e-KDSS) is claimed to be a world first as it improves off-road performance by giving the Series 300 Land Cruiser longer suspension travel. The system works by deactivating the front and rear stabiliser bars giving each of the wheel’s better articulation when the going gets tough off-road.
For those who need to tow heavy loads, the Series 200’s 3500kg towing capacity is once again present on the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser Series 300. Expect the all-new V6 twin turbo diesel to make light work of even the most demanding towing situations.
Toyota has also – finally! – brought the Land Cruiser 300 Series well into the 21st century with the latest on-board tech too. A front camera view can now be displayed on the updated infotainment system to help with tricky terrain whilst selectable drive modes can automatically judge road surfaces and ensure that the new model always has the most grip.
The 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series is due in local showrooms in the last quarter of this year. For now, the Series 200 soldiers on for a few more months, with existing stock being sold by dealers at inflated prices. Expect to see a range of specification levels on sale, from an entry level variant to kick things off, a mid-range GR-Sport model, along with a top of the range version mirroring the Land Cruiser Sahara model currently on sale with the Series 200. Pricing and specs are yet to be confirmed but expect to see solid price rises across the range as Toyota positions the Land Cruiser 300 Series further upmarket compared to its predecessor.
Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto closer to the new Land Cruiser’s launch date to hear more later this year.
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