Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series exposed

The highly-anticipated Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series has been exposed ahead of its global premiere in August.

And it’s a case of subtle evolution rather than radical change for the exterior design of the all-new 2021 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, as these latest photos posted on the Kurdistan Automotive Blog and CarSpias forum show.

While the overall shape and especially the side profile of the new Toyota LC300 is almost unchanged from the current 200 Series LandCruiser, the finer details add a modern edge to the 4x4 off-roader, which will be sold exclusively with a circa-230kW 3.3-litre turbo-diesel V6 when it arrives in Australia later this year.

Boasting a bluff, upright front-end with a bigger ‘floating’ grille and slimmer, sleeker LED headlight clusters, the new photos confirm recent leaks of the next-generation Toyota LandCruiser’s design are accurate.

Twin power bulges on the bonnet add machismo to the front-end and the white LandCruiser models most clearly pictured appear to have large alloy wheels, integrated side steps and a subtle body kit.

V6 diesel powertrain to outgun V8

Toyota Australia is yet to confirm official details of the new LandCruiser 300 Series, save for the fact it will be launched this year.

But we know the 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 will be axed in favour of a more fuel-efficient and more powerful 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6.

We have it on good authority that peak power and torque will be in the 230kW and 690Nm range respectively, outgunning the current V8’s 200kW/650Nm.

This bodes well for the new model’s towing capacity too, which could eclipse the 3500kg limit with the current Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series.

Other major LandCruiser markets such as Russia and the Middle East are expected to get a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol engine generating around 310kW/590Nm.

It’s understood that Toyota may offer this engine in Australia down the track, but Aussies traditionally prefer diesels so the LC300 will initially launch with only diesel.

Toyota is also working on hybrid powerplant for the new LandCruiser, but this powertrain is several years away at least.

Following the launch of the second-generation Toyota Mirai fuel-cell vehicle in Australia this week, Toyota has also flagged the idea of a hydrogen-powered LandCruiser in future, which has raised eyebrows.

All LandCruiser powerplants at launch are set to be hooked up to a 10-speed automatic transmission with high- and low-range transfer case, along with various other off-road hardware including locking diffs and a crawl mode, which were leaked via cabin photos showing 4x4 controls and switchgear.

LandCruiser 300 Series interior details

Based on Toyota’s new TNGA-F ladder-chassis platform architecture, the new LandCruiser will get a massive tech upgrade, which includes a big 12.3-inch central touch-screen infotainment unit with all the modern connectivity features expected.

Spy photos reveal a 7.0-inch digital instrument display wedged between two traditional analogue dials, while the cabin design features plenty buttons and dials and a more modern, luxurious design as well.

You can count on the new LC300 also arriving with a higher price tag than the current 200 Series. However, given the outrageous prices customers are paying for the last-ever V8 diesel LandCruiser at present, the price shock of the new model probably won’t dissuade buyers.

The current Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series is priced between $80,996 to $124,396 (plus on-road costs) but demand has been soaring over the past 12 months, and as stock is rapidly drying up LC200 prices are heading north.

The new LC300 has been almost 15 years in the making and with significant development input by Toyota Australia – including the potential for a locally-designed LandCruiser Rugged X model – the new full-size 4WD wagon is arguably the most anticipated vehicle launch Down Under in years.

Expect to see other special-edition variants of the new flagship Toyota SUV as well, including a GR-badged LandCruiser.