New Toyota LandCruiser already on the beat

The 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series is already earning its stripes as the newest member of police forces in the Middle East, paving the way for its arrival in Australia where it will also serve in key roles for the constabulary.

Ahead of its Aussie launch later this year, the LandCruiser 300 Series is currently serving with police fleets in the United Arab Emirates, covering jurisdictions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as reported by The National.

While the new LC300 would make for a pretty imposing vehicle flashing in your rear-view mirror, the big 4x4 off-roader’s obvious advantages are found in its go-anywhere ability and towing performance – as seen in Australian police forces over many years, including high-country beats and pulling police horse floats.

In the UAE, The National reports that the LandCruiser joins an eclectic police and civil defence force fleet, including models from Porsche, Bentley, McLaren – and even a Bugatti Veyron hypercar.

Fourteen years in the making, the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series was finally unveiled to the public earlier this month in Dubai, which is a key market for the full-size SUV.

After a string of leaks, much was already known about the sixth generation of Toyota’s iconic 4x4 off-road wagon – excluding the original BJ of 1951, which became the 20, 40 and then 70 Series – following the 200, 100, 80, 60 and 55 Series.

Toyota says the 300 Series LandCruiser will be lighter, more rigid and more powerful than the diesel V8-powered LC200 it replaces, and that it will maintain its 3500kg towing capacity despite downsizing to V6 engines.

Like the 200 Series, the 2022 LandCruiser was developed both here in Australia and globally, and it remains roughly the same size as its 4990mm-long and 1980mm-wide predecessor.

However, the kerb weight of the new model has dropped by up to 200kg on some models in the Middle East, although Toyota Australia is claiming reductions of about 100kg across its diesel range, despite adding a host of new technologies.

The new 300 Series is kitted out with a more luxurious interior and all the latest safety, driving and connectivity equipment, which will make it an even more expensive proposition than the outgoing 200 Series – although local pricing and specs are yet to be announced.

When the new Toyota LandCruiser does arrive here – just in time for Christmas – Australian buyers will only be offered an all-new 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6, which will replace the existing 4.5-litre V8.

There is, however, plenty of cause for optimism with confirmation the new V6 oiler will deliver 227kW of power and a stump-pulling 700Nm of torque.

Toyota says the new 305kW/650Nm twin-turbo petrol V6 to be available in most other markets is not off the table for Australia completely, but it seems unlikely for local release given the lack of demand for the now-discontinued V8 petrol 200 Series.

Image: Al-Futtaim UAE