2013 Toyota Land Cruiser Improvements and Equipment Upgrades Come at a Price

While Toyota has yet to publish photos of the North American version of its facelifted 2013MY Land Cruiser, the Japanese company went ahead and released pricing for its full-size SUV after yesterday's announcement.

You can read the full details on all the changes in our previous post here, but to recap, aside from the subtle cosmetic tweaks inside and out, Toyota also added some new features like the Multi-terrain Select system and CRAWL Control with an Off-Road Turn Assist, while the previously optional Upgrade package, priced at $6,270 on the 2011MY, is now standard.

All of these enhancements come at a price as the 2013 Land Cruiser 5.7L V8 carries an MSRP of US$77,995, not including a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $810.

The base 2011MY Land Cruiser was priced at U$69,120 while the model with the Upgrade Package at US$75,955, again without the DPH fee.

Toyota said that the 2013 model year Land Cruiser will begin arriving at dealerships across the country in early February.

PHOTO GALLERY

 

Read More

Facelifted 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser 5.7 V8 Announced for the U.S

As we anticipated, after the December launch of the updated 2012 Land Cruiser 200 in its home market of Japan, Toyota has announced details on the North American version that will go on sale in the States as a 2013 model later this year.

While Toyota's U.S. arm released photos of the European specification model, the same styling changes apply for the 2013 Land Cruiser that will be sold here and which we will most likely have the chance to see for the first time at next week's Detroit Auto Show.

Beginning with the exterior, the Land Cruiser gains an updated front grille and headlamps with HID low-beams and LED Daytime Running Lights, enlarged front and rear fenders, chrome side moldings, and redesigned outer side mirrors and tail lamps.

The revised model rides on newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels with a high-gloss finish that are shod in P285/60 R18 mud-and-snow steel-belted radial tires.

Inside, Toyota refined the interior of its eight-seater model with a higher gloss wood grain finish, brighter silver instrument panel ornamentation, chrome-plated air registers and updated meter-cluster lighting.

New features for the 2013 model include: a Multi-terrain Monitor with front, side or rear selectable views; a redesigned Multi-information Display; an Eco Driving Indicator light and zone display; heated steering wheel; Dynamic Radar Cruise Control; an additional power outlet (DC 12V) at the rear of the center console; and an AC 120V rear cargo deck power outlet.

There's good news for those that like their vehicles well equipped as the Japanese company decided to make all previously optional safety and convenience features standard.

These include the rear-seat DVD entertainment system, color-keyed rear spoiler, rain-sensing windshield wipers, center-console cooler box, headlamp cleaners, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift lever, multi-information display, voice and Bluetooth hands-free controls, and heated second row seats plus Toyota’s Premium Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Navigation with Entune multi-media system and JBL audio.

While the Land Cruiser continues with the 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, linked to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Japanese brand has made changes to the 4x4's various electronic systems.

New for the 2013MY is a Multi-terrain Select system that dials in wheel slip control to match the conditions of the terrain. For example, in loose terrain such as mud and sand, the system allows for more wheel slip than normal while on solid rock, wheel slip is minimized with the system acting more like a limited slip differential.

Toyota also introduced a new five-speed CRAWL Control with an Off-Road Turn Assist feature.

The CRAW Control system is activated when the transfer case is shifted into low range regulating engine speed and output along with braking force to help the driver on extremely rough level ground or steep grades. As for the Off-Road Turn Assist feature, it pulses the rear corner brakes to help the 4x4 make sharper turns when steering through tight quarters on rugged terrain.

Finally, there's a new four-wheel multi-terrain anti-lock braking system while Toyota has added a Trailer Sway Control to the standard equipment of the Land Cruiser.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

2012 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Facelift Breaks Cover in Japan

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

Read More

Toyota’s unstoppable Land Cruiser turns 60

The year was 1951 and Toyota was hard at work creating a new all-terrain vehicle for military use. After much development, the Toyota BJ was the result of the Japanese automaker’s hard work, and the go-anywhere SUV quickly established itself as a capable workhorse. In fact, it was the first vehicle to be driven to Mt. Fuji’s sixth hill station, a climb rising 2,500 meters. After that feat, the Toyota BJ was applied to police fleets around the country. Sixty years and a name change later, the Toyota Land Cruiser is still running strong around the world.

The Land Cruiser name was applied to the BJ in 1954 and five million of these tough trucks have now been sold around the world. Evolving from the beloved FJ through the 20 Series and on to the 200 Series, the Land Cruiser has gained a level of luxury far removed from its distant BJ ancestor. However, it remains a capable off-road vehicle suited for tackling whatever this planet can throw at it.

Turning 60 is a big deal and Toyota has created two 60th anniversary models of the 2011 Land Cruiser, though these special edition models are currently being built for the UK only. Essentially, the anniversary Land Cruisers are fully-loaded versions of the well-to-do SUV sporting special badging and trim pieces. Follow the jump for Toyota’s official press release.

Read More