Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series delayed

There’s more anticipation for the next-generation Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series than for Mike Tyson’s comeback fight.

But like so many things in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have pushed the unveiling of the flagship $100,000-plus Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series SUV out to 2021.

We previously reported that the new LandCruiser 300 Series would be revealed this year, but our sources now indicate there is only a slim chance of this happening.

It’s not crystal-clear what has led to the delay, but Japanese website

As carsales has reported, Toyota is set to ditch the current 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel (200kW/650Nm) due to emissions regulations, replacing it with a smaller six-cylinder turbo-diesel that will almost certainly punch out more power and torque than the current V8.

According to CarSensor, the new diesel powerplant will be a 3.3-litre V6.

It is expected to be joined by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 with around 300kW/600Nm early in the 300 Series’ model lifecycle, with a petrol-electric hybrid version of the V6 following later.

A diesel-electric hybrid is also on the cards.

Hyundai and Kia are plotting their own rugged LandCruiser rivals, both due around 2023 and expected to be powered by a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that belts out 204kW/588Nm.

Toyota Australia’s head of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, told carsales in June that the next-generation Toyota LandCruiser would be as capable as ever in areas such as off-roading, towing, fuel efficiency and cruising range.

“I have no doubt that whatever we launch in LandCruiser, the key to it is … Will it tow my caravan? Will it do the things I want it to do off-road? Will I have the same comfort levels I’ve enjoyed?” he said.

“When we launch the new model LandCruiser, they will see that we have considered absolutely what this car stands for in this country.

“I just say to the people who are watching this or reading this, be confident. LandCruiser is too important for us not to provide a very capable vehicle.”

Next-generation diesel engine for LandCruiser

Toyota is pitching the new V6 diesel powertrain as a significant step forward.

There will be some buyers who insist on V8 power and may switch to the Nissan Patrol which retains a petrol-only V8, but Toyota is confident it will retain its market leadership – at least in Australia.

“Of course, V8 is very popular and we know the V8 in itself and in its make-up has a heritage and a loyalty in Australia, that’s for sure,” Hanley said.

“But I think as long as whatever we bring out is capable to do the things that LandCruiser owners expect, I think people will actually move to whatever that powertrain may be.”

The next LandCruiser will be based on an all-new ladder-frame chassis platform dubbed TNGA-F, which will also underpin the next Toyota Tundra full-size pick-up truck due in late 2021 and the new-generation Toyota HiLux and Tacoma utes due from 2024.

This will bring a variety of improvements in areas such as advanced off-road technology and driver assist safety systems, not mention a significant uptick in infotainment and smartphone connectivity.

The LandCruiser’s all-important 3500kg braked towing capacity is expected to hold firm, even as the lighter new platform architecture reduces the current hefty kerb mass of around 2700kg.

“What I do want to say and I will say it again – and I know it’s probably not the answer the audience wants to hear but it’s the best I can give right now – is that, as we’ve said all along, the next LandCruiser you can be sure will as capable, if not more so, than the current one,” said Hanley.

“We have one of the largest markets right here in Australia for LandCruiser in the world. Our parent company understands this and has also been working very closely with us to make this model as good as it can be.

“We know the legend of LandCruiser and we would never mess with it. People want the confidence it can do the things I want it to do, and maybe a little bit better.

“That’s important, that’s what LandCruiser represents in the Australian market, and the loyal customers that buy them,” he said.

The Toyota LandCruiser is popular in Russia, Africa and the Middle East, but Australia was the first export destination for the Toyota LandCruiser and today remains one of its biggest markets.

LandCruiser Rugged X on the cards

As Toyota Australia’s conversion centre in Melbourne is putting the finishing touches on the new-look Toyota HiLux Rugged X, which includes a locally-developed high-strength steel front bar, a LandCruiser 300 Series Rugged X is also under study.

While few details of the vehicle are known, it’s almost certain that upgraded suspension, extra bash plates and a steel front bar with a winch are being examined for the flagship Toyota 4x4 wagon.

“When you look at our HiLux variants, you look at the Rugged X and Rogue, we’re seeing good take-up rates there,” said Hanley.

“So you know we’ve got our Toyota conversion centre, so certainly we have a level of capability that we can look to expand going forward.

“Certainly it’s something we will continue to study in the future and you’d never rule anything out in that area, given the popularity of that market segment.”

Arch-rival Nissan is also preparing to launch a hardcore bush-bashing version of its Patrol flagship SUV, which will take the Warrior name.

LandCruiser arriving in 2021

The current COVID-induced development setback for the new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series is not expected to impact on its scheduled 2021 Aussie launch, which Hanley revealed to carsales in June.

When asked about the local launch timing, Hanley said: “I’ll let you guys know. I’ve got to have something to invite you to next year.”

As it stands, the current-generation LandCruiser 200 Series is priced from $80,996 for the entry-level GX, $92,696 for the GXL, $103,396 for the up-spec VX and $124,396 for the range-topping Sahara.

Toyota sold almost 14,000 examples of the 200 Series LandCruiser last year, compared to only about 2000 units of the Nissan Patrol. This year, the pandemic has seen Toyota LandCruiser sales fall 14.4 per cent to 8232 units as at the end of August, while over the same period Nissan has managed 1481 sales (+9.2 per cent).

Stay tuned for more details on the new-generation Toyota LandCruiser.