With its XXL size and its diesel at almost 250 g / km of CO2, the Land Cruiser is a bit like the ugly duckling at Toyota. Not for long, since the future generation, no less imposing but certainly hybrid, is expected at the end of the year. She has even just been surprised naked.
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Amidst the Yaris, Corollas and other remarkably efficient RAV4s, the Land Cruiser must feel very lonely. Of course, Toyota also sells a Supra and a GR Yaris whose sobriety is not really the first concern, but the coupe only exists thanks to a partnership with BMW and the second is an offshoot of the WRC program, like one of the last odes to old-fashioned sports cars, which we owe above all to the automotive passion of boss Akio Toyoda. Not enough to put at ease the old Land Cruiser, a heavy SUV which is only powered by a big 4-cylinder 2.8 turbo-diesel engine of 204 hp and which in the process receives a penalty of € 30,000… And s ‘it was once a question that the mythical 4×4 – it has been around since the 1950s! – not be renewed, the Japanese firm finally decided that a 10th generation would see the light of day. Presumably, she will even come to Europe, in addition to the huge Highlander.
Hybrid, fortunately!
The first images of the future Land Cruiser are thus starting to circulate. No camouflage here, just a bunch of models lined up and exposed. The pictures are not of a remarkable sharpness but nevertheless allow to see that the Land Cruiser 2022 has not planned to do in the finesse ! Faithful to its very square lines and its massive facies, this next generation seems almost more massive than the Highlander … At least the passengers should not run out of space.
Technically, this new generation will make a leap forward by changing platforms. Main objective, in addition to the grafting of a modern electronic architecture reflecting a redesigned interior, the introduction of a hybrid or even plug-in hybrid engine, Toyota with an efficient powertrain proven in particular by the RAV4. Which retains, if necessary, its all-wheel drive, an essential element of the Land Cruiser whose non-bitumen skills will necessarily be closely scrutinized. The presentation is not expected before the end of the year for an arrival in Europe in early 2022.
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