The new Land Cruiser V8, Toyota’s top of the range model, is to make soon its debut on the European market. This eighth generation retains all the world-beating off-road capability of its predecessors but adds more refinement, comfort and superior driving quality.
Land Cruiser chief engineer, Sadayoshi Koyari, explains the development theme of this new generation as follow: “For more than 50 years now three key words have been the basis of each generation of Land Cruiser: strength, durability and reliability. Therefore, rather than opting for revolutionary change, we decided to carry on the sense of trust in the Land Cruiser as the basic concept. With the latest generation we had to recognise the loyalty of Land Cruiser customers by providing a vehicle that will not betray their trust.”
Built on a completely redesigned platform with a body-on-frame design, the length of the new model has been increased to 4950mm while the wheelbase has been kept to 2850 mm. The height varies between 1865mm and 1910mm depending on the suspension featured on the model, the width of the model is reaching 1970mm.
The new Land Cruiser will be available with a brand new 4.5 D-4D V8 diesel engine, combined with a new 6 speed automatic transmission, which develops an impressive 650 Nm from 1600 to 2800 rpm and 286 hp at 3600 rpm. This diesel engine has a fuel consumption of 10,2 L/100km, a 4% improvement versus the outgoing 4.2 TD L6 engine, based on the European combined cycle.
The model will be also available with an improved 4.7 VVT-i V8 petrol engine, combined with a 5 speed automatic transmission, which develops 445 Nm at 3400 rpm and 288 hp at 5400 rpm. This petrol engine has a fuel consumption of 14.4 L/100km, a 12% improvement, based on the European combined cycle. Both engines are fully compliant with Euro IV emissions regulations.
Advanced new technologies to make new Land Cruiser V8 a genuine, go-anywhere off-road vehicle include:
* The world first Crawl Control system, available in combination with the petrol engine, which automatically controls the engine and the brakes to maintain a very low speed, avoiding spinning and locking. The driver only needs to steer the vehicle when driving in extreme off-road situations.
* The world first 4-Wheel Active Height Control and Adaptive Variable Suspension (4W AHC & AVS)*, which links all four wheels’ suspension system for the first time and also provides a new spring rate control system.
* The European first Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which actively operates the front and rear stabiliser bars based on a pair of hydraulic control cylinders.
* A newly developed centre Torsen® Limited Slip Differential (LSD).
The new model will feature a wide range of advanced safety features like the newly developed Multi Terrain Anti-lock Brake System, the Vehicle Stability Control, the Electronic Brake-force Distribution and 14 Airbags.
The new Land Cruiser V8 will be unveiled in Europe at the St-Petersburg Motor Show (Russia) on October 24th. Sales of the model are starting today in Japan while the European sales start will be as of December 2007.
12.7.2007 22:00 by Simona Alina
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/toyota/...8-ar43750.html
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