The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is the eighth generation of Toyota's legendary Land Cruiser large-scale SUV and it remains true to its heritage in being a thoroughbred off-roader. More than that, it is equipped with world-first technologies to ensure safety, comfort and secure handling both in the rough and on the open road.
Toyota's "no compromise" approach is clear in vehicle's the traditional body-on-frame construction, crucial to the vehicle's ability to tackle the toughest terrain. This tried and tested approach is matched by sophisticated handling, suspension and drivetrain systems that extend the off-road capabilities and enhance comfort and stability in normal driving.
V8 Diesel Engine
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is powered by a 4.5-litre V8 D-4D engine, the first Toyota eight cylinder engine to feature common rail diesel injection technology. It is the most powerful Toyota diesel yet, producing 282bhp and a prodigious 650Nm of torque, available from just 1,650rpm.
Thanks to its high efficiency, the engine has the lowest emissions and fuel consumption in its class, producing 270g/km of carbon dioxide and an official 27.7mpg in combined cycle driving. It is extremely tough, too, engineered to perform faultlessly in temperatures from -30 to +50°C.
The V8 is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual sequential gear selection mode. As befits a serious offroader, it incorporates low ratio gearing.
WORLD-LEADING SUSPENSION AND HANDLING TECHNOLOGY
Toyota Land Cruiser V8
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is one of the most technically advanced four-wheel drive vehicles ever produced and is equipped with a series of advanced dynamic and handling features. These include the world's four-wheel Active Height Control and Adaptive Variable Suspension (4-Wheel AHC & AVS), a fully adjustable system that also provides spring rate control. Not only does this give exceptional performance off-road - wheel articulation is so great, the car can crawl over steps with a 630mm height difference without lifting a wheel off the ground - it regulates pitch and body roll on-road to maintain ride comfort and refinement.
The full-time all-wheel drive has a transfer unit governing the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles, with a Torsen torque-sensing limited slip centre differential, which gives improved cornering performance and driving stability. The transfer shift system lets the driver move from H4 (high) gearing to L4 (low) gearing by means of a rotary switch on the dashboard, when the vehicle is moving at low speed (up to 3mph).
RUGGED AND MODERN DESIGN
The vehicle's design is rugged yet modern, developing styling cues from the Toyota Land Cruiser's distinguished past while embracing themes from Toyota's contemporary "Vibrant Clarity" design philosophy to bring the Land Cruiser brand fully up-to-date. An equally bold approach is taken inside the cabin where the sense of ruggedness and reliability is combined with comfort, quality and a great sense of spaciousness.
LUXURY SPECIFICATION
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 may be engineered to cope with extreme environments, but the cabin is designed to provide premium levels of comfort, convenience and safety. Available in a single luxury specification, it is equipped as standard with four-zone climate control air conditioning, full-map satellite navigation with Hard Disc Drive (HDD), Bluetooth, rear parking monitor, premium 14-speaker JBL sound system with six-DVD autochanger, on-board digital music library (as part of HDD navigation system) and leather upholstery.
The flexible seven-seat interior is easily adapted to accommodate passengers or additional loads, with tumble-and-fold second row seats dividing 40:20:40 and the two rearmost seats folding to the side.
HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS
Occupants are protected by eight airbags, including front knee airbags and curtain shield airbags along the entire length of the cabin. Active safety provisions include multi-terrain ABS, which automatically adapts braking performance to suit the surface on which the vehicle is travelling. And to help minimise the consequences of an accident, a pre-crash safety system automatically tensions the driver and passenger front seatbelts when sensors detect a dangerous situation, such as the vehicle spinning or emergency braking.
LAND CRUISER HERITAGE
The Land Cruiser name is synonymous with Toyota's worldwide brand values of outstanding quality, durability and reliability. It occupies a special place in the company's history, tracing its roots back to 1951 and having the distinction of being Toyota's first mass-production model to be officially exported from Japan, in 1956.
The launch of a new Toyota Land Cruiser is a significant event, given that no other 4x4 car in history has driven as many roads and off-road tracks - just one of the reasons why Toyota Land Cruiser remains a legend around the world.
Land Cruiser Chief Engineer Sadayoshi Koyari explains: "For almost 60 years now, three key words have been the basis of each Land Cruiser generation: strength, durability and reliability. With the Land Cruiser V8 we were determined to recognise the loyalty of Land Cruiser customers by providing a vehicle that will never betray their trust."
ALL-NEW TOYOTA LAND CRUISER V8
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is the eighth in a line of long-wheelbase, station wagon-style Land Cruisers. With a heritage going back 57 years, it is the longest-running model in the Toyota line-up and has been in the forefront of Toyota's expansion since the 1950s, taking the brand to new continents and previously untapped markets.
Toyota Land Cruiser V8's roots can be traced right back to the BJ, the first four-wheel drive vehicle developed by Toyota, produced early in 1951. Powered by a 3.4-litre, six-cylinder engine, the BJ rapidly gained a reputation for toughness and an ability to go anywhere.
Within six months of its launch the BJ was hailed as a champion, becoming the first vehicle to be driven to the sixth hill station of Japan's Mount Fuji, 2,500 metres up. As a result of this feat, the BJ was added to the Japanese police fleet and the model's long-term success began. In 1954 the new Type 25 BJ was given a generic model name - Land Cruiser - which has been used ever since.
As Toyota began its worldwide export and growth programme during the 1950s and 1960s, it found that American and European carmakers had already secured high penetration in the established markets, leaving little room for new entrants from Japan. Strategically, Toyota decided to focus on the emerging markets of the Middle East, south-east Asia and South America.
In 1967, Toyota responded to the popular trend in the American market for more refined 4x4 vehicles with the launch of the Toyota Land Cruiser Station Wagon FJ55V. This was to create a new generation of Land Cruisers, running in parallel with the original 'jeep-style' off-road concept.
Over the years, Toyota Land Cruiser has become synonymous with Toyota throughout the world. From Australian Outback to the Russian steppes and the streets of Europe, the vehicle is admired for its all-round capabilities: highly reliable, tough off-road, yet sufficiently comfortable and refined to go anywhere and be seen everywhere.
It continues to be a global sales success and is the world's best-selling SUV, with more than five million customers since launch. Today it is sold in more than 140 countries and produced in nine Toyota manufacturing plants around the globe (all body types). Its principle markets are the Middle East, Australia and Europe.
A New Generation
Typical Land Cruiser customers look for modern technology in their cars, but they also value the brand heritage behind the badge and the authentic 'Land Cruiser style'.
Toyota has the same fundamental aims with every new Toyota Land Cruiser: firstly to build on the vehicle's tradition of reliability, durability and off-road performance; and secondly to improve handling stability, ride comfort and driving pleasure.
Chief Engineer Sadayoshi Koyari said: "At the start of this project, back in 2002, we considered the future direction of Land Cruiser, taking into account the evolving expectations of a global customer base with a strong demand for the model. I am confident that the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 has the genuine off-road capability to strengthen Toyota's reputation for advanced technology, while offering increased refinement and a premium market position. It is a real, go-anywhere adventure vehicle."
The global sales target for the model is 86,500 units in 2008, with around 18,000 vehicles available in Europe. Its outstanding 4x4 capability is especially valued in Russia, making it a major market with a target of 9,500 units.
Across Europe, typical Land Cruiser customers are self-confident and successful people from higher income brackets. They are often early adopters of advanced technology and appreciate Toyota Land Cruiser for its blend of technical ability, durability, refinement and a genuinely adventurous off-road spirit.
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 delivers improvements in all of these aspects, together with improved safety and comfort, ensuring that Toyota's flagship model continues to satisfy customers' needs and expectations right around the world.
POWERFUL, FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
For more than 50 years, consistently high quality and technical sophistication have earned Land Cruiser its special status in Toyota's model line-up, embodying the company's world-beating four-wheel drive capability. The design of the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 needed to respect this heritage, while bringing Toyota's off-road image up-to-date.
It has a rugged and powerful exterior design, with a strong emphasis on function and retaining many characteristics of previous generations. The interior, with its bold shapes, expresses the vehicle's refined, premium quality.
It's a practical vehicle, too, seating seven with ample space for all passengers, and offering flexible load-carrying capacity with seats that tumble and fold to create a flat floor.
Created and styled at the Toyota design centre in Aichi, Japan, the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 exemplifies the 'Vibrant Clarity' aspect of Toyota's brand design philosophy. This ethos guides the development of off-road models that are vibrant and energetic, while retaining clarity of purpose.
Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Chief Engineer, Sadayoshi Koyari, explained: "The key word we selected to focus the design evolution of the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 was 'trust'. The reputation and trust built by previous generations of Land Cruiser is therefore heeded in the design. Further strengthening of this trust between customers and the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is encouraged by blending a strong, dynamic design with an advanced sense of function. This creates a modern, aspirational vehicle with a strong focus on four-wheel drive and genuine off-road driving ability. It brings the Land Cruiser brand identity up-to-date, and further leverages the heritage of the vehicle."
Powerful Exterior Styling
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 has a powerful, clean exterior design, with a strong shoulder line, eye-catching surface treatments and large front and rear bumpers. It has a thoroughly modern feel as a functional, yet premium 4x4 vehicle. The size and shape of the side windows emphasise the spaciousness of the cabin and deliver excellent visibility, and the bumpers project an image of strong off-road capability.
It is slightly longer, taller and wider than the Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon, giving a more dynamic stance, but the increases in size have been kept to a minimum to maintain manoeuvrability in tight, off-road situations.
The overall length is 4,950mm (+60mm), width is 1,970mm (+30mm) and height 1,865mm. Clever design to maximise interior space and a shortened engine compartment have enabled the cabin length to be increased by 130mm (measured from the accelerator pedal to the back door), adding to passenger comfort and convenience.
The integrated chromed radiator grille and headlamps create a strong horizontal line at the front of the vehicle, with a bright alloy finish around the grille's outer frame expressing refinement and premium quality.
At the rear, a powerful stance and flared wheel arches that emphasise the overall width of the vehicle are inherited from the Land Cruiser Amazon, as is the configuration of the combination rear lights.
The large rear light units use LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) arranged in a two-lamp design to improve visibility. The integrated tail and stop lamps, together with the rear direction indicators, have clear outer lenses and red inner lenses, adding to the premium appearance.
The integrated rear roof spoiler is body coloured to blend in neatly with the line of the body, and is effective in enhancing aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency. The split rear tailgate has a 'clamshell' design, which allows for easier opening in confined spaces and loading of heavy objects.
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is available in a choice of six exterior colours: Tyrol Silver, Decuma Grey, Regency Red, Fir Green and Slate Blue metallic and Astral Black.
Refined And Stylish Interior
Function and form are the guiding principles for the interior, which has been designed to reflect the refinement and premium status of the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 while still allowing a sense of ruggedness and reliability. The interior is practical too, with a choice of five- or seven-seat configuration, ample space for all passengers and versatile seat folding for maximum luggage capacity.
The design of the instrument panel, large central instrument cluster and console is key to the sense of scale and space, with a strong horizontal emphasis helping ensure that the driver is intuitively aware of the angle of the vehicle.
Detailed wood grain highlights, matched with slim chrome-plated bars with a low gloss finish, add style to the interior. The lower instrument panel features "hold bar" panels with a texture similar to sculpted metal; in keeping with the architectural feel, these appear to support the upper instrument panel. Practical, shaped knee pads are provided to improve comfort and support when driving on rough roads.
The interior has a two-tone design, with two colour schemes available: Sandstone beige and Ammonite medium grey.. Darker colours are used on the instrument panel and trim areas, with contrasting mid-tones for the upholstery.
The coherent design extends to the door trims, finished in material that matches the seats at shoulder height and the armrests. Wood grain and chrome-plated bars add style, while the functional parts, such as the inner door handle, door grip and switch panel, are designed in a single element.
3D Optitron meters are used on the main instrument panel, with a larger diameter for the main gauge for easier reading. The sub-gauges, crucial for SUV driving, are positioned in the centre of the panel, together with the multi-information display.
The steering wheel has a wide centre pad with large switches that are easy to use, even when wearing gloves. Operational parts such as the automatic transmission shift knob, door handles, and audio switches are also large and have an enhanced tactile quality.
Versatile And Functional Interior
The functionality of the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is amply demonstrated by its versatile seven-seat arrangement, offering plenty of passenger and luggage space.
The seats were designed with the focus on function demanded in a genuine off-roader: firm lower back support and free shoulder movement. Firm, thick cushioning ensures a stable seat position, with further support from the vehicle's high damping effects.
The second row of seats is divided 40:20:40 with an independent seat back with integral headrest for the centre seat. All three seats can be reclined and slid backwards and forwards by 105mm to allow ample leg room for third row passengers.
Each seat can also be tumbled forward to increase load capacity, while the seat behind the front passenger - most frequently used for third row access - has a one-touch tumble function for easy entry and exit. Simply pulling the seat lever; folds the seat back forward and releases the floor lock.
The third row has two individual adult-sized seats with 'space-up' folding: a damper mechanism automatically pops the seat up from the seating position to the stored position when unlocked. When not in use, the seats fold neatly away against the wall of the luggage compartment and are locked in place.
ENHANCED DRIVING DYNAMICS
With an off-roading heritage of almost 60 years, drivers expect Land Cruiser to perform perfectly on the toughest tracks and trails, right around the world. Its legendary reputation for quality, durability and reliability means they accept no compromise.
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is one of the most technically advanced four-wheel-drive vehicles ever produced, equipped with features that make on and off-road driving safer, more comfortable and more pleasurable and that can provide crucial assistance in difficult terrain where even the most skilful drivers might otherwise struggle.
The platform has a sophisticated suspension design, delivering superior handling and stability, both on and off-road.
At the front, coil springs replace the former torsion bar to give better ride comfort and control. The suspension has a double wishbone layout with inclined coil springs and dampers for optimum stability.
The front wheel stroke has been increased by 11 per cent for bound and 18 per cent for rebound, now reaching 230mm, to improve performance over rough ground. The entire suspension unit is strong enough to withstand the most rigorous conditions, yet ride comfort and steering feel have actually been enhanced, through careful tuning and precise geometry.
The well-established, four-link coil rear suspension from the current generation Land Cruiser Amazon is carried over to the V8 model, and retuned to provide significantly better handling, ride comfort and off-road performance. Roll steer has been optimised by moving the control arm position to ensure superior handling and stability, while the characteristics and size of the bushes have been evaluated to deliver ride comfort.
Long travel suspension of 230/240 mm front/rear and short overhangs ensure that the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 can tackle the roughest road surfaces. The maximum approach angle is 31° and the maximum departure angle is 23°. The ramp break over angle is 24°.
4-wheel AHC & AVS
The suspension of all four wheels on Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is linked through a fully adjustable suspension system, 4-wheel Active Height Control and Adaptive Variable Suspension (4-wheel AHC & AVS). It also provides spring rate control, making it a world-first for Toyota Land Cruiser and the most sophisticated suspension system available on any production SUV.
It not only allows Toyota Land Cruiser V8 to achieve optimum off-road performance but also provides exceptional on-road refinement, comfort, pitch and body roll control.
The spring rate control operates on the front suspension, using a single control valve to influence the suspension characteristics when turning or braking. This means that the front suspension can be stiffened to reduce roll or pitch angle during high-speed manoeuvres, but softened in normal driving.
A mechanical system functions as a link between the four wheels: on-road, the balanced pressure across all four wheels ensures stability and comfort; off-road, the movement of wheels out of phase with each other allows the hydraulic pressure to vary and releases individual wheels for easier stroking through excellent wheel articulation. This increases the vehicle's ability to soak up the bumps and offers greater ground contact, thus strengthening rough off-road performance.
The result is that the Toyota Land Cruiser V8, with its 2,850mm wheelbase, can crawl over steps with a height difference of 630mm without lifting a wheel off the ground.
In addition, the vehicle's Active Height Control (AHC) functions have been improved to extend the range of height adjustment and shorten the time it takes to lower the vehicle. The front of the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 now has 110mm of height adjustment while the rear can be moved through 100mm. Shifting from normal to low mode takes about two seconds. The ride height is automatically raised when L4 gear mode is selected, and increased by a further 20mm when the 4-wheel AHC & AVS system recognises that the vehicle is stuck. It automatically lowers the vehicle to improve stability when driving at high speeds.
Smooth, easy operation drivetrain
With its greatly increased power and torque, the Toyota Land Cruiser V8's full time all-wheel drive system required a new transfer unit to govern the distribution of torque front to rear and provide high and low gearing ratios. The new unit is stronger and lighter and the centre of gravity has been moved forwards to improve handling. The control logic and switching performance have also been improved.
At the heart of the transfer unit is a Torsen® 'torque-sensing' limited slip centre differential which gives smoother cornering performance and improved driving stability. By automatically sensing the drive torque required at each axle, the differential can adjust torque between front and rear wheels for greater driving stability.
In straight-ahead, dry-road driving, torque distribution is 40/60 front to rear. However, torque can be biased to the front wheels to a maximum of 50 per cent, or to the rear wheels up to 70 per cent. These limits have been carefully set by calculating the Torsen® differential wheels' dimension, to maintain vehicle stability and improve traction and safety.
The transfer shift system has been completely redesigned for greater operating efficiency and convenience. A simple rotary switch is used to move the shift from H4 to L4 gearing, something that can be done at vehicle speeds up to 3mph. Next to it on the control panel is a button that can lock (or free) the centre differential in the optimal ratio to help the Land Cruiser V8 in exceptionally slippery circumstances.
Steering Precision
Driving pleasure on and off-road is further enhanced by the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS). The steering is a rack and pinion system for maximum straight-line stability at high speeds and vehicle performance at low speeds.
The gear ratio is set larger around the steering centre and smaller around the end position. As a result, rack stroke around the end position is larger, reducing the effort required from the driver in low speed manoeuvres, while ensuring optimal response for high speed motorway driving.
The steering column itself is adjustable for both reach and rake. Its energy-absorbing mechanism reduces impact energy and the entire column is designed to break away from its mounting bracket and move away from the driver in the event of an accident.
STATE-OF-THE-ART DIESEL V8 ENGINE
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8, flagship of the Toyota four-wheel-drive range is equipped with the most powerful and technically advanced diesel engine the company has yet developed. The twin-turbocharged 4.5-litre V8 D-4D is designed to provide excellent performance under all road conditions with high power output, broad controllable torque band and the lowest emissions and fuel consumption in its class.
Development focused on four fundamental principles: high power, low fuel consumption, low noise and exceptional reliability.
The 4,461cc engine has significant performance and fuel efficiency benefits over the 4.2-litre straight-six turbodiesel it replaced. Maximum power output is 282bhp at 3,600rpm and maximum torque is 650Nm available all the way from 1,600 to 2,800rpm. These figures represent a 40 per cent increase in power and a 50 per cent increase in torque compared to the previous engine.
This gives a top speed of 130mph and acceleration from nought to 62mph in 8.2 seconds. Fuel economy is four per cent better than the previous 4.2 diesel, at 27.7mpg on the combined cycle.
Each bank of cylinders is served by separate common rail and solenoid injectors. Well-proven on Toyota's four-cylinder engines, these are adopted to ensure maximum reliability with high engine output and low emissions.
The maximum injection pressure is raised to 1,800 bar (compared with 1,350 bar on the 4.2 TD engine) yielding finer, more precise fuel injection for more efficient combustion, power and efficiency.
D-4D V8
The second generation common rail technology also allows for a quieter combustion process, enabling two individual pilot injection strokes of around 1mm³ ahead of the normal injection stroke, all of which happens within a few milliseconds. As a result, combustion noise is 3.5 dB(A) lower than from the previous engine.
Two low inertia turbochargers are fitted to provide rapid response to throttle commands and high power output. They feature variable nozzle technology with the nozzle size controlled by a 12-volt DC electric motor, rather than a vacuum diaphragm. This means the nozzle can be adjusted more quickly and on a continuous basis, leading to greater efficiency and precision.
The engine block is cast in compacted graphite cast iron (CGI) which is both stronger, (75 per cent stronger compared to the engine block material of the outgoing diesel engine), and lighter, weighing 30 per cent less. This helps improve fuel consumption, weight balance and handling. CGI is light, withstands wear and corrosion, and is very resistant to heat and shock. By using it for the cast iron cylinder block, Toyota has reduced noise and saved significant weight when compared with equivalent engines.
Engine durability is further enhanced by an oil scavenging system fitted to the turbochargers to collect surplus oil and reduce blue smoke emission in all driving conditions, for example when driving on an incline, turning or braking. Two electronically-controlled hydraulic mounts are used to absorb vibration and improve comfort at low speed or idle. The mounts are 1.5 times stronger than those used on conventional cars.
Laboratory tests simulated severe environment conditions to ensure the engine performs faultlessly in temperatures from -30 to +50°C.
To reduce exhaust emissions a V8-style Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system is adopted with water cooling and a highly efficient, multi-layered EGR cooler. The EGR gas passages have been incorporated into the cylinder head to reduce the complexity of parts and weight. Furthermore, two rotary solenoid diesel throttles and linear solenoid EGR valves are used to cut the level of visible smoke and avoid unstable combustion.
Advanced Transmission
A six-speed automatic transmission was developed for the 4.5 V8 D-4D engine, to give smooth, fuel-efficient operation. The design focus was on off-road driving performance, with an optimal gearing ratio size. It is also able to accommodate high torque and is impressively quiet during high speed driving.
The gearbox is controlled with a sequential shift pattern that allows fully automatic gear changes (D position), or manual selection of a gear range by the driver from the sequential position (S position).
In fully automatic mode the gearbox uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) shift control, to switch to a shift pattern that gives the most effective driving performance in line with road conditions and driving style. This can take account, for example, of up or downhill driving and more sporty input from the driver.
The transmission also features a deceleration downshift which helps slow the vehicle and also provides fuel cut-off control, contributing to overall fuel efficiency.
NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY, DURABILITY, RELIABILITY
As well as offering extra refinement, more comfort and a superior driving experience, the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 retains the well-established features that have contributed to Land Cruiser's worldwide rugged appeal and thoroughbred off-roader status.
These include the traditional body-on-frame construction with a separate chassis and body structure; advanced technology driving aids such as Downhill Assist Control (DAC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC); and a wealth of active and passive safety features, including a multi-terrain ABS system.
Together with Toyota's legendary engineering skill and the advanced design, these features ensure that the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 leads the world in quality, durability and reliability - attributes that are essential to Land Cruiser owners.
Toyota has not compromised on the fundamental body-on-frame design. While other manufacturers have adopted monocoque concepts, Toyota created an all-new separate chassis and an advanced suspension design to gain greater rewards in terms of driving pleasure, refinement and quality.
This approach has advantages for off-road vehicles where a go-anywhere capability is crucial. Much of the strength of the vehicle to resist the impacts of off-road driving can be built into the chassis, avoiding the need to increase the size or weight of the body and passenger compartment. At the same time, the chassis can be engineered to better absorb energy impact in the event of a serious collision.
Building strength into the chassis increases the resistance to torsion and twisting, giving the designers a stable and strong base on which to mount the body. This improves driving performance and handling, both on and off-road, with extra freedom in suspension design and travel, plus more stable mounting points for steering joints.
Separating the body and chassis means the passenger compartment itself can be better insulated from the shocks and noise of off-road driving - meaning much lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) under all driving conditions.
Finally, a strong chassis gives the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 a towing capacity of 3,500kg.
Strong Chassis Design
A high strength, high rigidity frame has been designed to accommodate the Toyota Land Cruiser V8's body. The chassis rail's cross-sectional height and width have been increased to achieve a highly rigid structure, and high tensile steel is used to reduce weight without compromising strength.
Hydro-form technology has been employed to manufacture specific cross members. This has also increased the joint strength with the side rail, contributing to a frame structure with higher rigidity. The frame's torsional rigidity is 1.4 times stronger than the outgoing Land Cruiser Amazon and flexural rigidity is 1.2 times greater.
An extra lightweight front suspension cross member has been added, and the coil support area of the front suspension strengthened for optimum performance.
High-tensile steel is used extensively throughout the body and has been treated for rust resistance across a broad range of the body panels to ensure durability, even in world's harshest driving environments.
Noise and vibration transmission has been reduced through a strong, reinforced body structure, installation of sound insulation material and vibration damping throughout the body. Combined with precision-build quality - such as reduced panel gaps and surface level changes - and advanced aerodynamics, the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 lives up to its promise as a premium-quality vehicle.
Active Driving Control
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 benefits from a range of advanced active-driving control features to ensure peak performance in all conditions.
The multi-terrain ABS incorporates a world-first control logic that recognises any road surface and automatically switches to the appropriate braking control. Using information such as engine output, acceleration rate and wheel speed, the on-board computer can sense off-road driving, such as snow, dirt and sand. It then controls the ABS with the optimal slip rate, for more effective braking.
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) detect emergency braking and automatically generate a larger braking force. Large diameter disc brakes (front 340mm, rear 345mm) are fitted as standard, further improving braking performance.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), which intervenes when sensors detect the Land Cruiser V8 is reaching the critical limits of cornering, has been upgraded with a cut-off switch. This enables the driver to deactivate VSC and traction control, preventing it from automatically reducing engine output when using high wheel-spin to escape from mud, fresh snow or other difficult terrain.
Another development is that the Active Traction Control (A-TRC) now maximises traction and vehicle speed without the operation of a differential lock when the vehicle is in low-ratio, four-wheel drive mode (L4). When L4 is selected, the engine output control is lifted, but the braking system receives stronger hydraulic pressure control.
A-TRC works in combination with a number of other advanced traction control devices such as the Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).
Crawl Control syste
Crawl Control was introduced as a standard feature on the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 in summer 2009 for the 2010 model year. Replacing the previous Downhill Assist Control (DAC), it automatically controls engine output and brake hydraulic pressure to maintain off-road driving stability with a steady low speed.
By activating Crawl Control, the driver can concentrate fully on steering, as the accelerator and brake are automatically governed by the system.
The control has three speed settings: Low, for rocky terrain; Medium for driving downhill over loose surfaces/rubble; and High for uphill driving over snow, mud or loose ground.
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
Hill-start Assist Control allows an easier start when setting off from a steep or low-grip hill position by automatically controlling the brake as the driver moves from brake to accelerator, reducing backward motion.
By controlling the rotation of each individual wheel, HAC is able to arrest the motion, allowing the driver to pull away without losing control. This not only boosts hill-start performance but also increases driver confidence.
Passive Safety Systems
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is designed to avoid accidents wherever possible, and to offer maximum protection to occupants if a collision does occur. The on-board passive safety features are intelligent and integrated to work with each other to absorb impact energy and reduce the risk of injury.
A pre-crash safety system optimises the restraints for front seat passengers by using a motor to tension the front passenger seatbelts in the event of a dangerous situation. For example, this could occur when the on-board sensors determine that the vehicle is spinning, or under sudden braking.
After the impact, two-step force limiters control the tension in the belts, gradually reducing it to minimise the potential force on the chest and abdomen. Front seat occupants are held firmly in place and the potential for injury is reduced.
Further impact protection comes from the eight airbags which are available. For the first time, both driver and front seat passenger have knee airbag protection and both front airbags have a two-stage inflation capability to match the severity of the collision impact.
Side airbags are standard on the front and second row seats. Curtain shield airbags protect outer seat passengers in all three rows.
Both front seats feature Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) technology which reduces impact on the occupant's neck in the event of a rear collision. An active headrest structure senses movement in the lower back rest and pushes the headrest upwards by 30mm and forwards by 25mm to reduce neck movement and the risk of associated injury.
Outer second row seats have Isofix child seat fittings as standard, with top tether mounts positioned to prevent them from interfering with passengers in the third row of seats.
The chassis structure has been designed to absorb impact energy in the event of a collision and attention has also been focused on reducing injury risks to pedestrians.
The bonnet structure is rigid but capable of absorbing impact energy, while the leading edge has an impact absorbing bead for effective performance in frontal collisions with smaller pedestrians, such as children. There are also impact-absorbing brackets between the side panels and the wing, and there is an open area between the rear of the bonnet and the windscreen, allowing the bonnet to move back in the event of a collision.
PREMIUM COMFORT AND EQUIPMENT
A powerful road presence, refined interior and high level of quality equipment mark out the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 as a premium SUV with the perfect blend of go-anywhere capability, comfort and sophistication.
It is more spacious than its predecessor, the Land Cruiser Amazon, with generous leg and head room for all passengers. The versatile seven-seat interior, with seats that slide, tumble and tip, enables flexible use of interior space.
Precision fit and finish and a strong sense of functionality and quality characterise the interior, with wood trim details adding extra style. Advanced technology is reflected in the large Optitron instruments for speed, engine revs, gearshift position, odometer and trip meter, plus vehicle information such as cruising range and fuel efficiency.
All-New Air Conditioning
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 has a significantly improved air conditioning system, designed to maintain peak performance even when the vehicle is being driven in some of the world's most inhospitable regions.
The digital, fully automatic system provides four-zone, independent temperature control to ensure comfort for all passengers. The independent dual-zone rear-cabin air conditioning can be controlled both from a control panel fitted to the back face of the centre console and from the main air conditioning control unit on the dashboard. Ventilation functions can also be operated by voice commands.
In the front there are 14 vents and ducts providing air flow with manual or automatic temperature control. A further 14 ducts in the ceiling and door pillars and at floor level ensure rear passengers are equally comfortable, in both the second and third row of seats. Independent right and left temperature control is provided, even for the rearmost seats.
A Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater and viscous heater, boost the heating effect on cold start. A pollen filter and pollen removal mode reduce the level of pollutants entering the passenger cabin.
High Quality In-Car Entertainment
As part of a specification upgrade for the 2010 model year, the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 gained a premium 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system with a hard disc drive, six-DVD changer and digital tuner, previously offered as an upgrade option.
The system allows full iPod integration and the USB/Aux connection via a port and socket next to the gear shift lever. It supports the playback of MP3 and WMA files from CD and offers a high quality 5.1 sound experience to passengers in all seats. Speakers and tweeters are positioned in the front and rear doors, with an additional tailgate speaker, side squawkers and central speaker in the instrument panel, and subwoofers alongside the third row seats. DVDs can be viewed on the central dashboard screen when the vehicle is stationary.
Luxury Specification
The full-map navigation system was upgraded for the 2010 model year to a 40GB Hard Disc Drive system. This provides 10GB of storage space for storing digital music files in an on-board library.
The navigation system uses a seven-inch 32,000 colour touch-screen display and can give guidance across 24 countries in Europe with 3D landmarks. It also provides Bluetooth connectivity to enable hands-free mobile phone use, and a parking camera that sends a clear picture from the vehicle's rear to the monitor screen. To help safe and simple reverse manoeuvres, the image on the screen can be overlaid with guidelines showing the vehicle's projected path.
An auto-dimming rear view mirror, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, electric sunroof and 20-inch alloy wheels are also included in the specification.
Standard features include a leather steering wheel with audio and telephone controls, and Toyota's Smart Entry and Push-Button Start system.
Using buttons on the steering wheel, the driver can adjust the audio volume and radio station, answer the telephone and activate voice recognition control. The multi-information display can also be operated and the vehicle status checked.
The Smart Entry and Push-Button Start system detects an electronic key carried by the driver when it comes within close range of the vehicle. The door unlocks as the handle is touched and, once inside, the driver can start the engine simply by pressing the button on the dashboard. As well as making life easier, it also removes the need for an ignition lock on the steering column, reducing the risk of injury to the driver's legs in an impact.
There is full leather upholstery, with electric adjustment and heating for the driver and front passenger seats; the driver's seat has three memory settings.
