2008 Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota released the first official images of the 8th-generation Land Cruiser. Toyota has chosen the Sydney Motor Show to fully unveil the car for the first time in public. However, Toyota went on and released the official images and pricing of the US-spec Land Cruiser. The 8th-generation Land Cruiser is totally redesigned from the ground up, and grows in every dimension.

The new Land Cruiser is powered by a 5.7L V8 that produces 381 horsepower and 401 lb.ft of torque. It is the same engine found in the Tundra. The Land Cruiser is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Land Cruiser can tow 8500lbs of whatever, a full 2000lbs more than its predecessor. The Lexus LX570 shares the same base as the Land Cruiser.

The Land Cruiser is priced a full $6985 more than its predecessor, or 12.4% more. Starting at a hefty $63,200, the Land Cruiser will arrive in US dealerships next month. No word on Canadian availability, but it was always like that since its first generation.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading for a hi-res image gallery and the official press release.



PRESS RELEASE: Toyota Announces Pricing For All-New Land Cruiser

September 18, 2007 – Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the all-new 2008 Land Cruiser full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV). Now in its seventh generation, the legendary Land Cruiser continues to carry its incomparable reputation for quality, durability and reliability.

The Land Cruiser, with its incredible reliability and capability, is the iconic vehicle that helped Toyota gain its first foothold in the world automobile market. Over the years, it has evolved from a basic four-wheel-drive utility vehicle into an upscale vehicle with the capability of the original Land Cruiser with the comfort and convenience that would rival any luxury sedan. The new Land Cruiser takes those values several steps further than ever before.

The Land Cruiser cements its reputation as the "King of Off-Road" with systems and features that also make it the "King of On-Road." An all-new 5.7-liter V8 engine and six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with a sequential shift mode delivers unparalleled power, efficiency and smoothness. The most powerful V8 in the Toyota model lineup delivers 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque and carries a ULEV-II emissions status. Maximum towing capacity is 8,500 pounds, an increase of 2,000 pounds over the previous model.

The Land Cruiser receives a new high-mount double-wishbone independent front suspension and four-link rear suspension with a solid live axle. The front suspension includes tubular gas-pressure shock absorbers, a hollow stabilizer bar, and coil springs. The purpose of this system is to achieve a high level of off-road driving performance and suspension control while maintaining a high level of on-road driving comfort.

Enhancing this advanced suspension system is a sophisticated Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) for an improved ride and off-road capability. A Toyota first, KDSS affectively varies the stiffness of the anti-sway bars to provide a unique mixture of optimal on-road roll stiffness and off-road suspension compliance.

Applying all of Land Cruiser's new technology to the driving surface are P285/60 R18 mud-and-snow steel-belted radial tires mounted on 18 x 8.0-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a high-gloss finish.

The Land Cruiser comes replete with a wide variety of systems designed to help maintain the safety and security of the vehicle's driver and passengers. Like all Toyota SUVS, the Land Cruiser comes standard with the STAR safety system featuring a four-wheel multi-terrain anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

The new Land Cruiser features 10 airbags, the most airbags found in any Toyota vehicle. These include driver and front passenger dual-stage advanced airbags; driver and front passenger knee airbags; front- and second-row seat-mounted side airbags; and three-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags with a roll-sensing cutoff switch.

To this arsenal of impressive safety tools, the Land Cruiser adds other new standard safety features: CRAWL Control, a direct tire pressure monitor system (TPMS), and front active headrests.

The CRAWL Control system improves Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities and allows the driver to further concentrate on choosing a line without also having to manage momentum. With the transfer case shifted into low range, CRAWL controls engine speed and output, along with braking force, to propel the vehicle forward or in reverse at one of three low-speed settings.

The Land Cruiser also features many more thoughtful standard details. These include a JBL premium audio system with an in-dash six-CD/DVD changer and 14 speakers; Smart Key keyless entry; anti-theft security system; push-button start which allows the driver to unlock or start the vehicle by simply carrying the key fob on their person; engine immobilizer; cruise control; power moonroof; electrochomic rearview and side mirrors; HomeLink®; steering wheel-mounted audio, telephone, and voice recognition controls; heated, power front seats with driver's memory; and power tilt and telescopic steering column with memory.

With its vast array of additional standard equipment and numerous technological upgrades, the MSRP for the 2008 Land Cruiser is $63,200, an increase of $6,985, or 12.4 percent over the previous model.

The seventh-generation Land Cruiser will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships in mid-to-late October.

Posted in: Toyota