Toyota Introduces Updated 2012 Land Cruiser with V8 Turbo Diesel in theUK

After the recent presentation of the updated Toyota Land Cruiser in its home market of Japan and then in North America, the full-size 4x4 model has now been introduced in Britain where it goes on sale this March.

Available exclusively with a revised V8 turbo diesel and a single trim level, the 2012 Land Cruiser is priced at £62,285 on-the-road (equal to US$95,900 or €75,000).

On the outside, the large 4x4 sports a new fascia with a different bumper, grille and headlamps with LED daytime running lights, along with restyled taillights and exterior mirrors with LED turn indicators. Furthermore, the UK model gains new black roof rails, side mouldings with chrome details and new 20-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin gets new seats that are air conditioned/heated up front, a central cool box, heated steering wheel and improvements in the quality and appearance of the trims and finishes throughout.

The 2012 model is offered with the new Toyota Touch Pro multimedia and navigation system with a digital tuner, Bluetooth and a rear-view camera as standard, while the Japanese company offers an optional in-car entertainment package with two eight-inch seatback-mounted monitors that are said to be resilient to screen “jitter” when the vehicle is on the move.

Under the hood, the Land Cruiser's 4.5-liter turbocharged V8 diesel engine has been modified and now features a diesel particulate filter (DPF) along with new fuel injectors in the common rail system to comply with Euro 5 standards.

The V8 is rated at 268bhp (200kW) at 3,600rpm, and has a maximum torque of 650Nm (479.4 lb-ft) delivered between 1,600 and 2,800rpm.

Finally yet importantly, Toyota has introduced a slew of handling and driver-assistance systems. These include:

• Turn Assist, that reduces the vehicle’s turning radius when driving through tight off-road bends
• Crawl Control, with five speed settings for tackling steep climbs or descents
• Multi-terrain Select, with five selectable modes to tailor vehicle performance to different off-road conditions
• Multi-terrain Monitor, providing a 360-degree view of the area immediately around the vehicle via four external cameras
• Tyre Angle Display, displayed together with the predicted tyre path guidelines on the Multi-terrain Monitor, showing changes in steering angle between zero and 45 degrees
• Variable Flow Control power steering, with a unique, dedicated off-road setting

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Britain gets New Special Edition of 2012 Mitsubishi Shogun SUV

It has only been about two months since Mitsubishi launched the Shogun (known as the Pajero and Montero in other markets) in a mildly tweaked form for the 2012 model year in the UK, but the Japanese carmaker has already announced the presentation of a new special edition model called "Black" with enhanced exterior styling.

The name stems from the color of the styling details rather than the body itself which is available in a choice of five metallic hues including Frost White (solid), Cool Silver (metallic), Diamond Black (pearlescent), Orient Red (metallic) and Granite Brown (metallic).

Based on the current Shogun SG4 LWB that is powered by a 3.2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 197bhp and 441Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque, the Black Editions gains a satin black styling kit which includes black 20-inch alloy wheels, roof, spoiler, wing mirrors, grille and headlamp bezels, fog lamp surrounds, door handles and side steps.

Other standard features include a communication system with satellite navigation, parking camera and iPod connectivity, leather interior and auto lights and wipers.

The new 2012 Shogun Black Edition is available for order now with UK pricing set at £41,999, or £1,000 above the SG4 model.

 

Read More

Land Rover Brings Revised DC100 Concepts to LA Auto Show

Land Rover would like to know if there is an appetite for the next generation of Defender, which is presented with a couple of new conceptual models.

For this purpose, British, and the carmaker DC100 and DC100 was the hardtop sports convertible 4x4 tests this week in Los Angeles Auto Show to measure the reactions of customers' and to consider the possibility of bringing the Defender, the U.S. market.

"Our goal is to bring all new Defender in the middle of the decade - there's plenty to do to meet these dates, and concepts are only the beginning," says John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director. "We are here in Los Angeles for DC100 and DC100 present our concepts Sport and begin to actively explore the possibility of bringing in the future Defender of North America."

THE show some of the concepts have barely updates because their world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011. Both iterations DC100 is now riding a new 20-inch alloy wheels shod with Cooper tires off-road, while the hardtop model has already been completed, Land Rover signature combination of "Blue Heritage", painted white ceiling Candy Weiss .

In addition, Land Rover has a DC100 is equipped with accessories such as the treatment of a raised air intake "snorkel" for Wade and a roof rack.

In concept form DC100 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, even though DC100 Sport gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, both models included permanent four-wheel drive has eight gears and the next generation of Earth system Terrain Response rover. The British company said that both engines have been designed in mind for future hybridization.

"Our ambition is to create a brand new Defender to a global market that is absolutely true to its original DNA: tough, versatile, durable and capable of," said Edwards. "It would also be developed for the 21st century and adapted to the needs of future generations. "

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More