The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series is perhaps the most controversial development of the famous icon to date. Few vehicles invoke such die-hard fans as the LandCruiser with many 4WD enthusiasts firmly sticking to the thought that their model is the best.
Well the new 300 series is coming and here are some highlights so far.
- It will be built on a dynamic new TNGA platform,
- More powerful engine but the V8 diesel has gone replaced by a twin turbo V6 with 10 speed AT,
- It will have advanced driving technologies, including world-first e-KDSS (electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) on GR Sport,
- Improved suspension structure, increased articulation,
- Obviously it has fresh styling yet retains similar approach and departure angles of the existing model and
- The latest Toyota Safety Sense electronics.
- There is an increased model range including GX, GXL, VX and Sahara as well as GR Sport and Sahara ZX
LandCruiser Pricing MLP*
- GX: $89,990
- GXL: $101,790
- VX: $113,990
- SAHARA: $131,190
- GR SPORT: $137,790
- SAHARA ZX: $138,790
Two New LandCruiser 300 Series models
The dual strategy involves the introduction of GR Sport, offering distinctive off-road character and prowess, and Sahara ZX with a high-quality focus emphasising peerless on-road luxury.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the arrival of two new top-of-the-line LandCruiser variants would further broaden the customer appeal of the legendary 4WD.
“Our new GR Sport is the absolute expression of the LandCruiser DNA – the ultimate 4WD that is specially equipped for owners who truly love driving on rough trails and in off-road rallies,” Mr Hanley said.
“The graceful styling of the Sahara ZX adds an even more prestigious and advanced high-quality image for customers who use their LandCruiser primarily for urban driving and holiday getaways with their families.” he said.
LandCruiser GR Sport is priced at $137,790 MLP* and Sahara ZX is just $1,000 more priced at $138,790 MLP*.
They sit above the familiar LandCruiser GX, GXL, VX and Sahara grades, which are also new from the ground up.
All six variants feature an all-new platform, a more powerful and efficient powertrain, and new equipment and technologies that improve LandCruiser’s capability in every dimension.
Together with their expanded specification, the core variants will arrive with price increases ranging from 5.6 to 11.3 per cent, delivering great value across the range.
LandCruiser GR Sport
Developed as a base vehicle for the Dakar Rally, GR Sport delivers a deeper off-road and sporty character that reflects the contribution of the motorsport-inspired GR brand.
The spirit of the new GR Sport is conveyed through design elements and specific features that set it apart as the highest off-road grade in the LandCruiser line-up.
The bold front design features prominent TOYOTA lettering displayed across a gloss-black mesh grille with its signature honeycomb pattern. GR Sport badges adorn the grille, as well as the doors, tailgate, steering wheel, front-seat headrests, ignition button and within the multimedia screen at start-up.
Black 18-inch alloy wheels, dedicated to off-road performance and durability, sit within black wheel arches. Also black are the side steps, door handles, mirror casings and window line. The unpainted front bumper and lower rear bumper emphasise the model’s off-road DNA and outstanding capability.
GR Sport’s interior offers the choice of two leather-accented trims – a powerful and sporty black with carbon-like ornamentation for customers who intend to undertake heavy off-road use, or an aggressively contrasting red-and-black treatment with black applied around the instrument panel, to ensure durability and ease of use for functional components.
Fittingly, the GR Sport comes standard with front and rear differential locks and the technological innovation of the world-first e-KDSS (electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).
It enables advanced control of LandCruiser’s suspension by independently locking and freeing the front and rear stabiliser bars.
This results in two seemingly contradictory achievements: optimum road holding and wheel articulation in off-road environments combined with a smaller roll angle that delivers a higher level of on-road ride comfort and handling stability.
Equipment shared by the five-seat GR Sport and Sahara ZX includes five driving modes, adaptive variable suspension, adaptive high beam and carbon trim.
LandCruiser Sahara ZX
The unique design of the Sahara ZX builds upon the functional beauty of the core models.
The bold chrome grille, sleek headlights, new taillights and remodelled tailgate contribute to a modernised and refined LandCruiser appearance.
Sahara ZX is further distinguished by unique 20-inch alloy wheels, unique front bumper, body-coloured wheel-arch mouldings, illuminated side steps, front-door scuff plates, rear mudguards and chrome ornamentation on the thick rear bumper.
The leather-accented interior trim is offered in black, beige or red-and-black, as well as carbon-like highlights on the steering wheel, centre console and door trims.
Stand-out equipment includes four heated and ventilated seats, hands-free tailgate with a kick sensor, and a torque-sensing limited-slip differential on the rear axle.
New equipment and upgrades across the range
- The entire range features a rigid, yet lightweight, TNGA body-on-frame construction that ensures stability and ride comfort across all terrain.
- The efficient, V8-beating, 227kW/700Nm twin-turbo V6 engines, together with the new 10-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, deliver high performance with enhanced fuel efficiency.
- Newly developed independent front and four-link rear suspension systems make on-road dynamics smooth and refined, with excellent vehicle dynamics.
- As the most capable LandCruiser ever, the new range incorporates AWD Integrated Management that harmonises steering assist, brake and throttle control, shift pattern and drive torque distribution for precise handling and stability.
- The latest Toyota Safety Sense package is standard across the range, including autonomous emergency braking as part of a pre-collision system that can detect pedestrians (day and night) and cyclists during the day.
- It can also detect oncoming vehicles at intersections and pedestrians crossing the street when the vehicle is turning in either direction.
- An emergency steering and crash-avoidance function, which assists with steering and lane-keeping, is triggered when the driver performs a steering manoeuvre to avoid collision.
- It also features all-speed active cruise control, auto high beam and lane-keeping technology that steps up to lane-trace assist with steering-wheel vibration in VX variants and above.
Every LandCruiser is equipped with a trailer wiring harness and maximum 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, plus the security and safety of Toyota Connected Services with automatic collision notification, an SOS button, and stolen-vehicle tracking.
Other new features include a 9-inch display screen on GX and GXL (was 6.1″), expanding to 12.3-inch on VX and above, smartphone integration, road-sign assist, dusk-sensing headlamps, electric park brake and downhill assist control.
LandCruiser 300 series model walk
The new range kicks off with the GX that is now fitted with a single-piece tailgate. It gains LED headlamps, keyless smart entry and ignition, two-zone automatic air-conditioning, steering-wheel controls, reversing camera and one-touch power windows for all doors. Pricing starts at $89,990 MLP*.
Moving up to the popular seven-seat GXL grade, newly expanded equipment levels include 18-inch alloy wheels, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitor, Qi wireless phone charger7 and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Priced from $101,790 MLP*, GXL is equipped for the first time with multi-terrain select, which helps drivers tackle challenging road conditions with confidence by regulating wheelspin for improved traction.
For the VX LandCruiser, premium features now include the 12.3-inch multimedia display screen, 10 speakers (+1), a 7-inch colour multi-info display (was 4.2″), four-zone automatic climate control (+2), eight cupholders (+2), remote power windows and features previously reserved for Sahara including power-adjustable steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats.
Further VX additions include rear parking support brake, panoramic view monitor and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management that links traction control, electronic stability control, electric steering and other systems to improve performance, responsiveness to driver input and safety. Its RRP is from $113,990 MLP* .
At the top of the core grades, the new Sahara adds features specified for the first time in a LandCruiser including a 14-speaker premium JBL® audio, head-up display, heated steering wheel, easy-access ventilation for the heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and easy-access seats. Pricing starts at $131,190 MLP* .
DIMENSIONS 300 Series |
|
| EXTERIOR | |
| Overall length | GX/GXL/VX/Sahara: 4980mm Sahara ZX: 5015mm GR Sport: 4995mm |
| Overall width | GX: 2000mm (with snorkel) GXL/VX/Sahara/ZX: 1980mm GR Sport: 1990mm |
| Overall height | 1950mm |
| Wheelbase | 2850mm |
| Front track | GX (with 17″ tyre): 1687mm GXL/VX/Sahara/ZX/GR Sport: 1667mm |
| Rear track | GX (with 17″ tyre): 1688mm GXL/VX/Sahara/ZX/GR Sport: 1668mm |
| Running ground clearance | 235mm |
| Front overhang | GX/GXL/VX/Sahara: 920mm Sahara ZX: 945mm GR Sport: 935mm |
| Rear overhang | GX/GXL/VX/Sahara/GR Sport: 1210mm Sahara ZX: 1220mm |
| Approach angle | GX/GXL/VX/Sahara/GR Sport: 32° Sahara ZX: 24° |
| Departure angle | 25° |
WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES |
|
| Maximum kerb weight | GX: 2470kg GXL: 2505kg VX/Sahara: 2560kg Sahara ZX: 2570kg GR Sport: 2580kg |
| Gross vehicle mass | 3280kg |
| Towing capacity | 3500kg (braked) 750kg (unbraked) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 110 litres (80L main tank/30L sub-tank) |
| Seating | GX/Sahara ZX/GR Sport: 5 people GXL/VX/Sahara: 7 people |
POWERTRAINS |
|
| TURBO DIESEL ENGINE | |
| Model code | F33A-FTV |
| Type | Twin turbo V6 |
| Valve mechanism | 24-valve DOHC, chain drive |
| Capacity | 3346cc |
| Bore x stroke | 86.0mm x 96.0mm |
| Compression ratio | 15.4:1 |
| Power | 227kW @ 4000rpm |
| Torque | 700Nm @ 1600-2600rpm |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection |
| Min cetane number | 48 |
| Emissions | EURO 5 |
DRIVETRAIN |
|
| Type | Permanent AWD with low-range transfer case |
| Differentials | GX/GXL/VX/Sahara: Centre differential lock Sahara ZX: Centre differential lock, torque-sensing rear LSD GR Sport: Front/centre/rear solenoid actuator type differential locks |
| Selectable modes | Multi-terrain select with Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow, Rock modes (excluding GX) |
FUEL ECONOMY AND CO2 EMISSIONS |
|
| Combined fuel economy | 8.9 litres/100km |
| Extra-urban fuel economy | 7.6 litres/100km |
| Urban fuel economy | 11.3 litres/100km |
| Combined CO2 emissions | 235g/km |
| Extra Urban CO2 emissions | 199g/km |
| Urban CO2 emissions | 296g/km |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means recommended drive away price including all dealer costs.