Developed for military purposes after the Second World War, the Land Cruiser has grown into an increasingly larger and more luxurious vehicle over the past 50 years. It just doesn’t hesitate to show its performance which is worthy of the land by not giving in easily.
Nowadays, it is stylish enough to show up in front of nightclubs. It will continue to be a favorite of those who want to get more at a better price than European SUVs. There is just no stop to the Land Cruiser legend and it seems like it will go on forever!
In the first part of our series, we wanted to explain how the Land Cruiser legend started and in the second part, how it developed. In this third and last part of our series, we would like to explain how the Land Cruiser was still developing through 2000s and what it became in our days.
2002: The Land Cruiser 120
The jump from the J9 to the J12 in 2002 not only came much faster than anybody expected, but it was also a lot clearer than the previous model changes. They didn’t just changed the design of the body, but also the increased use of electronics as a comfort feature.
Compared to its predecessors, the Land Cruiser 120’s driving support was a real quantum leap. In 2002, it came out with useful features like hill assist control (HAC) and downhill assist control (DAC) as well as air suspension and camera support. When it was launched, the "Twelve" showed where the future of Toyota would lead.
Just like its predecessors, Land Cruiser 120 also came out with a basic version, widely known as the “Africa Spec”. It didn’t feature any options like the camera, on-board computer and carpets. It was also equipped with robust vinyl seats and largely electronic-free diesel and gasoline engines.
The Africa version was intended exclusively for use in developing countries and represented the ideal intermediate stage between "J7 Heavy Duty" and of the comfort version of the J12 designed for European roads.
2007: The Land Cruiser 200
The new version came surprisingly two years before the J15. The J20 was presented in 2007 and at that time - in its capacity as a technology and image carrier - showed a preview of what would also follow in the Prado versions.
As everyone finally expected, the J20 no longer had a front rigid axle as an option, even if you wanted it. But it has everything an electronics engineer's heart desires, above all a V8 turbo diesel, for which the exclamation "WOW!" has to be redefined.
The clear goal of Land Cruiser 200 is to combine the traditional strengths of the off-roader with the high expectations of customers, who increasingly rely on on-road qualities such as travel comfort, full equipment, and driving dynamics.
Pioneering in the segment, the new model combines power, durability, and off-road mobility with a wealth of state-of-the-art control technology that is unique in the world, making driving more comfortable and safer - on and off-road. The Land Cruiser 200 is a technology and image carrier, and it fully lives up to this claim.
Externally unmistakable are the high shoulder line, the striking surface design, and the flared wheel arches. The maximized emphasis on width and the beefy front with a massive radiator grille stands for power, dynamics, and determination like never before.
2009: The Land Cruiser 150
The latest in the Prado squad is the J15, presented in 2009, more closely based on its predecessor in design than in the last model leap. It’s characterized by the new “Vibrant Clarity” design philosophy, and it takes the technical features of a Land Cruiser to a whole new level.
The J15 shows, even more than its predecessor, what is possible in modern automotive technology. Multi-terrain select, multi-terrain ABS, crawl control, trailer sway control... the current Prado is a high-tech off-roader that doesn't deny its roots.
Electronics or no electronics, it's still a true Land Cruiser, with a ladder-type frame, gear reduction, rigid rear axle, and off-road capabilities far beyond the guts of most drivers. The ultra-modern assistance systems are not just for pure convenience,
The basic construction is essentially the same as that of the predecessor but is 11 percent more rigid. The massive front, curved wheel arches, sharply drawn clear-glass headlights and large rear lights in LED technology are style-defining.
Five units with displacements between 2.7 and 4.6 liters promise pure driving pleasure. Like hardly any other off-roader, the LC 150 hits the nerve of the times thanks to its unique mix of robustness, durability, off-road capability and high quality in driving comfort, suitability for travel, and driving pleasure.
2021: The Land Cruiser 300
After a whopping 14 years, the Land Cruiser 200 was retired and replaced by its successor, the Land Cruiser 300. This period of time says one thing above all: the 200 was so good and was developed so consistently over its lifetime that there was simply no reason to replace it sooner.
The Land Cruiser 300 is now the new flagship of the Land Cruiser evolution: a completely new development, based on the new TNGA-F platform and equipped with everything that makes motoring life more pleasant.
The departure from the powerful V8 engines goes hand in hand with an increase in performance, refinement, and efficiency. Both the 3.3-liter diesel with 305 kW and 650 Nm and the 4-liter gas engine with 227 kW and 700 Nm (both V6, both Twin Turbo) bring the thick ship forward pleasantly briskly.
And "the new one" is still a Land Cruiser: It still sits enthroned on a ladder frame, it still has a solid rear axle, and it still offers a reduction gear. The 300 actually manages the balancing act that every developer has boundless respect for: living the future and not denying the past.
Future: The Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid
Lexus division of Toyota Motor Corporation
In 2016, the largest of all Land Cruisers, known as the "Land Cruiser V8", disappeared from Toyota's European range. The emission values of the flagship with 4.5-liter eight-cylinder diesel could no longer be brought into line with EU regulations, and given the sparse sales figures, a technical improvement was not economical.
Now, however, rest of the world agrees and Toyota has to change the mentality at this point. Therefore, the new generation of the large Land Cruiser will in future have a hybrid drive instead of the gasoline V8.
According to the Japanese manufacturer, there will be no surprises in the new generation. It will still be called the J30 as the type designation, and there will be no structural differences. Therefore, the construction with a ladder frame and bolted-on body remains.
On the other hand, a huge difference will be taking place in the powertrain. Finally, the 8GR-FXS will be used in the future, the 3.5-liter V6 with hybrid support, as it is already being used in the Lexus LS and LC.
The six-cylinder gasoline engine, which works according to the Atkinson cycle, currently achieves a system output of 359 hp with the support of the electric motor in the LS500h. The conversion to the hybrid drive also gives the large Land Cruiser the stepless planetary gearing typical of Toyota in conjunction with permanent all-wheel drive.
With the hybrid powertrain, the Toyota Land Cruiser J30 would be fit again for the EU, at least in theory. Whether Toyota Europe will actually include the big cruiser in the official sales program again is uncertain.
Protecting a Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Land Cruiser doesn’t look like a vehicle that would need protection. It actually looks like it is much more than capable of protecting itself. However, we can’t say the same thing about the paint and interior of the great SUV, just like any other car.
If you want to protect both the interior and exterior of your Land Cruiser and still look cool while doing it, Coverking is pretty much the best way to go. Check out Coverking’s catalog and see for yourself, they custom build everything according to your vehicle.
To protect the exterior, pick out a vehicle cover. For interior, you might need a dashboard cover or a seat cover, according to your vehicle model. You can install them yourself easily with the tools they include.
Resources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Land_Cruiser
- https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g20901778/cruisin-for-a-bruisin-the-visual-history-of-the-toyota-land-cruiser/
- https://mag.toyota.co.uk/history-of-the-toyota-land-cruiser-heavy-and-light-duty-models-2/
- https://mag.toyota.co.uk/history-of-the-toyota-land-cruiser-station-wagon-models/
- https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/g33903781/the-toyota-land-cruiser-overlanding-history/
- https://global.toyota/en/mobility/toyota-brand/features/landcruiser/history/evolution/heavy-duty.html
- https://www.motortrend.com/news/toyota-land-cruiser-photo-history-gallery/
- https://www.thedrive.com/vintage/3254/a-visual-history-of-the-land-cruiser
- https://thenewswheel.com/toyota-land-cruiser-history/
- https://www.topgear.com/car-news/list/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-toyota-land-cruiser
Coverking Links
- https://coverking.com/
- https://coverking.com/pages/recommendation-wizard
- https://coverking.com/pages/recommendation-wizard#custom-car-cover
- https://coverking.com/pages/recommendation-wizard#custom-dash-cover
- https://coverking.com/pages/recommendation-wizard#custom-seat-cover
Tankut Basar
Tankut Basar is an ARA (American Rally Assoc.) Racing Driver and an FIA Bronze Category License Holder. His passion for driving began with karting like most racers. He started racing internationally at the age of 22. Tankut loves everything car-related and will keep enjoying the drive until the end.
