Introducing New Cars: Toyota Land Cruiser

Showing posts with label Toyota Land Cruiser. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Toyota Introduces Updated 2012 Land Cruiser with V8 Turbo Diesel in the UK

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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).

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

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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.

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

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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.

Russian GAZ-69 Shows Toyota Land Cruiser 100 Who's the Boss

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Not all four-wheel drive models are made equal, and while Toyota's Land Cruiser series has made a name for itself as a durable and capable 4x4, there are certain vehicles out there that were purpose built for the harshest off-road environments.

One of those vehicles is the GAZ-69, a light off-road vehicle designed for the Soviet Army. The all-knowing Wikipedia tells us that it was produced initially by GAZ from 1953 to 1955 and by UAZ from 1954 until 1972, while Romania's ARO also built the truck under license from 1957 to 1975.

In the following video, we see a GAZ-69 successfully pulling a Toyota Land Cruiser 100 across a river. An impressive feat to say the least.

2011 Land Rover LR 4 Review

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The 2011 Land Rover LR 4.

Younger TireKicker readers may be shocked to learn that the Sport Utility Vehicle pre-dates the Starbucks-wielding soccer mom.

Back in the day, they were fairly utilitarian beasts, these Chevrolet and GMC Suburbans, International Travelalls, Toyota Land Cruisers and Land Rovers. But the first of these to appeal to an upscale clientele struck gold. And that was Land Rover.

Anywhere on this earth where the pavement ended, a Land Rover was the answer to the question "how do we get there?". And that covers not just Bureau of Land Management cattle trails, but vast uncharted swaths of rugged mountains, thick jungles and deep deserts.

Land Rover was the perfect platform from which to go luxo, because the question of "can it make it?" was never an issue. And it's still not.

One of my favorite David E. Davis, Jr. lines was "It'll climb a tree if you're brave enough". And that applies as much as ever to the Land Rover LR4. Want to go to the ends of the earth? Places your GPS doesn't know about? Your ride is here.

Rear view (and then some) of the 2011 Land Rover LR 4.

To prove the point, Land Rover sent along a very-nearly-base version of the LR4 (the vehicle once known as the Land Rover Discovery). Ours came with just three options...black lacquer finish trim ($350), the Climate Comfort Pack (heated seats and steering wheel plus heated front windshield and washer jets for $1,500) and the Rear Seat & Climate Package (including a 3rd row seat with curtain airbags, split-folding second-row and rear climate control, accessory socket and map lamps for $1,150). All worthwhile options, especially given the altitudes at which you might be driving your LR4.

Which means that the rest of what you get for your $47,650 is standard equipment. And that includes the best terrain response system on the market...allowing you, with a simple dial, to tell the LR4 that it needs to deal with snow, mud, sand, rocks or...dry pavement (hey, it'll happen sometime).

There's also a 375 horsepower, 375 pounds per foot of torque 5-liter V8 engine with direct fuel injection mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (which itself has normal, sport and manual shift modes), permanent four-wheel drive with Traction Control, a two-speed electronic transfer gearbox with variable locking center differential, 19 by 8" aluminum alloy wheels, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS, all-terrain dynamic stability control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Cornering Brake Control, Hill Descent Control, Emergency Brake Assist, four-corner electronic air suspension and a six-airbag supplemental restraint system all wrapped in a body and frame that feels infinitely more solid than anything else on the road.

2011 Land Rover LR4 interior.

So is it all rugged utilitarianism? Well, no...and yes.

No, because this is a luxury vehicle and you will be as comfortable in it as the term "luxury" implies.

Yes, because it's a different kind of luxury. One absent fragility. Everything in the Land Rover LR 4, from the seats to the switchgear, feels and is substantial. The seats are some of the best we've ever been in...conjuring up thoughts of turning a run to the store into a thousand mile journey just to see where the road (or lack of it) goes. And the modern amenities (dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, cruise control, power seats, windows and sunroof, a 240-watt, 9-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxilary input, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel iwth audio controls mounted on it, leather and wood throughout) are all there.

The result: A strong, secure SUV that never puts a foot wrong. An environment that not only exudes luxury worth $47,650...but also value, a feeling that you've bought something that will do its job for a long, long time.

Downsides? Just two. The EPA estimate of 12 city/17 highway is sobering...especially on those weeks when you're doing mostly city driving. And the sunshades over the power sunroof and fixed alpine roof let a bit too much light and heat through. But remember...we drove it in Phoenix during the hottest August on record. Your temperature may vary.

Bottom line: The LR 4 is proof that brilliantly engineered, purpose-built (and built to last) machines are still out there. And it's proof that "rugged luxury" isn't an oxymoron.

Compare Land Rover deals online at http://www.motors.co.uk/ to ensure you get the best price. Find both new and used models in your local area or within a preferred mile radius.

Toyota Recalling SUVs and Pickup Trucks Over Faulty Tire Pressure Monitors

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Approximately 22,000 Toyota trucks and SUVs are being recalled due to a faulty calibration of the tire pressure monitoring system that does not activate the low tire-pressure warning light at the required minimum activation pressure. The affected vehicles include the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Tacoma, Sequoia and Tundra from the 2008 through 2011 model year.

Toyota UK Introduces Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser V8 60th Anniversary Models

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To celebrate the Land Cruiser's 60th anniversary, Toyota's UK arm has announced two special edition models based on the standard five-door Land Cruiser and the flagship Land Cruiser V8. Both off-roaders come with discrete exterior appointments and extra equipment as standard including leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, premium audio system and special 60th Anniversary badges and carpet mats.

Citroen DS Crossed with Toyota Land Cruiser! [with Video]

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So, you find Citroen's C-Crosser SUV being a tad on the dull side? Well, then we're pretty certain that you'll appreciate this custom-made creation that that goes by the name D-Crosser. It combines a modified body of the classic Citroen DS with the chassis and powetrain of one of the most capable 4x4s, the Toyota Land Cruiser. More pictures and a video with still shots after the break.

Photos: flickr , Via: Jalopnik

2010 Lexus GX460: Mega Photo Album and Pricing of Lexus'... Re-Grilled Toyota Land Cruiser

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Sans a new grille, some minor styling/trim enhancements inside and out, and most importantly, a V8 engine, the new 2010 GX460 is in essence the U.S.-spec version of Toyota's 2010 Land Cruiser that was recently launched in Europe and other markets. Featuring a standard 7-seat configuration, Lexus positions the new GX between the brand's LX 570 premium luxury utility vehicle and unibody-based RX models.

In the States, the GX470's replacement is fitted with a new 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of peak torque, and coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

It comes equipped with standard full-time four-wheel drive using an electronically controlled transfer case and a TORSEN torque-sensing center differential that distributes power 40:60 under most driving conditions and changes the ratio as needed based on steering input and wheel slip.

The new Lexus GX also offers a low gear range for off-road driving while the Japanese automaker claims that it retains the same 6,500-lb. towing capacity as the 263HP GX470 offered,

According to the automaker, the new GX460 returns an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined (2009 GX 470: 15 mpg).

For the first time, the GX will be offered in two trim levels, with the base carrying an MSRP of $51,970 and the higher-spec Premium, $56,765. To that you'll have to add delivery, processing and handling fee of $875.

The new GX will make its first public outing in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December with sales starting towards the end of the month.