Next-gen Toyota Land Cruiser 200 going hybrid

Friday, 17 January 2020

Another mighty V8 with a proud history and high Kiwi favouritism is set to fall silent as its maker bows to modern ways.

After 13 years' service, the current Land Cruiser 200 Series is now being called in for a full-scale redesign that includes a new platform and a truly radical revision in the engine bay, with the new look to be revealed in August.

And when they say 'new', this time they really mean it: if you're a fan of this machine as it is now, best sit down – there's no easy way of putting this… the mighty 4.5-litre diesel twin-turbo is a goner. Indeed, the transmission behind it is heading to the grave as well.

Prepare to say a fond farewell to that magnificent big diesel V8 in the Land Cruiser 200 Series.

Japan's Best Car magazine has reported that what's set to be called the Land Cruiser 300 Series has been chosen as a pathfinder into new territory for large, serious off-road vehicles by adopting a hybrid drivetrain married to a constantly variable transmission.

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The powertrain reported to be replacing the V8 is a turbo version of the V6 hybrid petrol used by Lexus.

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Toyota is hoping to lead the way for large off-road capable SUVs to go greener.

Toyota New Zealand has declined offer comment about the 10th gen line reportedly pinning its future on a 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol hybrid driveline. The powertrain is familiar to Lexus buyers as being the engine that runs in two road cars – the LS500 luxury large sedan and the LC500h coupe – although their shared unit is naturally aspirated.

Official word on outputs has yet to come, but Best Car is citing 260kW power and 489Nm.

However, that seems light given that the Lexus version produces 220kW at 6600rpm and 348Nm at 4900rpm, and the electric hybrid system produces 132kW and 300Nm, for a combined power output of 264kW (with an estimated combined torque of 500Nm). In the LS, it makes 310kW and 600Nm, a torque output that is closer to that from the current 200 Series quad cam V8 turbodiesel, which packs a claimed 650Nm at 1600-2800rpm and 200kW at 3600rpm.

The powertrain demands a stepped CVT in place of the current edition's six-speed traditional automatic, to improve fuel consumption to about 9.4 litres per 100km and reduce emissions.

Toyota is the pioneer of hybrids, having launched the first mass-produced production hybrid car, the Prius, back in 1997, and its hybrid integration. The question still hanging is if there will be another alternate; perhaps even a diesel hybrid drivetrain.

The Land Cruiser 200's stocks have fallen in recent years as the market migrates away from full-sized, old-school ladder frame genuinely tough all-terrain models and toward softer, more street-wise sports utilities.

Even so, there is enough of a core following to sustain a four variant local lineup, starting with a $115,900 VX and topping with a $129,990 VX Limited. Convincing the traditional buyer set that this is a better alternate to the current offering could be a challenge.

The new drivetrain certainly seems set to better address the V8's rather intense emissions' output, which meets the now outdated Euro V standard.

Land Cruiser 200 Series maintains especially high residuals on the strength of its toughness and as a good choice for towing super-sized caravans and boats; the fan base will be eager to know if that talent remains intact. It also has a very comprehensive off-roading technology pack. It's hard to imagine this being eroded, though surely having a CVT in the package will raise some interesting challenges.

Not much has been revealed about the new platform save that it is a body-on-frame version of the TNGA (for Toyota New Global Architecture) underpinning, known as TNGA-CV.

Styling is still under wraps but it's hard to imagine Toyota straying from the big and bluff shaping. Best Car says the new model will employ a bold, chunky exterior with an even bigger grille, highlighted by three horizontal louvres and flared wheel arches.

The interior is in for a huge revamp, with leather, comfort and luxury levels that were previously the preserve of a Lexus.

Best Car says it has a larger, up-to-date 8.0-inch infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and additions to Toyota Safety Sense, which will come with a full suite of driving assists such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, day and night-time pedestrian detection and more.