Toyota has officially revealed a refreshed version of its Land Cruiser 200 or V8 (not to be confused with the smaller Land Cruiser / Prado) in its home market of Japan, with most changes expected to pass on the global variant as well.
On the outside, the 2012 Land Cruiser 200 gains a boxier front bumper with new foglamps, redesigned headlamps with integrated LED strips on the lower side and a revamped front grille with chrome slats.
The new exterior mirrors with turning signals, along with the different tail lamp graphics and newly designed alloy wheels in sizes 18- and 20-in. complete the look.
Changes to the interior are limited to the graphics of the instrument panel, an improved TFT screen info placed between the two main gauges, and new colors and trim materials for the cabin.
On the technology front, Toyota has updated the Land Cruiser 200's Multi-Terrain Select system, which provides the ability to alter the settings of the traction control and ABS for different driving conditions, as well as the "Craw Control" feature that acts a bit like a cruise control for low-speed off-roading on difficult terrain.
The 2012 Land Cruiser 200 will continue to be offered in Japan with a single engine option, a 4.6-liter V8 delivering 318PS at 5,600 rpm and 460Nm (339.2 lb-ft) of peak torque at 3,400 rpm, linked to an automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.
Local prices range from 4,400,000 yen (~US$56,500) for the five-passenger GX model to 6,300,000 yen (~US$80,900) for the top-of-the-line, eight-passenger ZX.
Along with the regular models, Toyota also offers two special packages for the JDM 2012 Land Cruiser 200, named "Luxury SUV" and "Urban Sports", both of which add a number of bespoke styling elements inside and out.
Toyota didn't say when it plans to introduce the facelifted Land Cruiser in other markets around the world, but buyers should expect to see it in dealerships sometime next year.
PHOTO GALLERY
After implementing the China market K2 Kia sedan Shanghai Auto Show 2011 on Tuesday, the automaker's South Korean subcompact sedan siblings exposed North America to be sold under the name of Rio de Janeiro. Although K2 and Rio share the same foundation that the sedan versions of the saloon of the brand new Rio, which opened in Geneva in March, the two designs exclusive role models outside.
