Body and Interior: Civilized Comfort for all Driving Conditions
Pursuing an "Advanced and Rugged" theme, engineers and designers enhanced and enlarged the front and rear fender overhangs. They also raised the height of the beltline just enough to exemplify an "advanced" image without compromising the vehicle's continuity of styling and driver and passenger visibility. The thick, rectangular grille and headlamps maintain Land Cruiser's steady and intelligent expression, while the hood flows gracefully into the grille and beltlines.
Character lines were given a new sweep and feel, especially in the front and in the area around the rear door handles, and the back door panels were styled to suggest strength. The result is a design that is at once fresh and new, yet very familiar because it closely suggests its ties to the Land Cruiser designs that have preceded it, making it instantly recognizable.
The body itself utilizes welded high-strength sheet steel, especially in the A-, B-, C- and D-pillars, and in the rocker area to reduce weight and increase rigidity. Engineers designed the B-pillar to help absorb side impacts and transfer them into the rest of the body structure where they can more safely dissipate. They also designed the hood to help absorb impact, especially at the front, to help minimize injury in the event of pedestrian impact.
The result of these subtle changes, in conjunction with other safety enhancements to the vehicle's frame and chassis, is a slight increase in the vehicle's overall length by 60 millimeters, or 2.3 inches, and in width, by 30 millimeters or 1.2 inches.
Engineers placed a foam substance inside the A-pillars to aid in the reduction of wind noise. A bifacial molding between the windshield and the body helps reduce aerodynamic turbulence, and thus noise. In addition, the cowl is carefully shaped to prevent wind from interfering with the windshield wipers.
Land Cruiser features special underbody panels behind the front bumper, extending under the engine and behind the rear wheels designed specifically to protect the engine and transmission and to help the vehicle traverse rocky terrain smoothly. In addition, these underbody panels smooth the airflow under the vehicle while minimizing drag and turbulence.
The interior is optimized for the comfort, security and safety of its driver and up to seven passengers - two in the front, and three each in the second and third rows of seating.
Engineers designed an all-new air conditioning system for the next-generation Land Cruiser and focused on two goals - developing a Toyota-first multi-zone system for maximum cooling and heating performance, and providing ultimate comfort and convenience for all passengers.
An ejector type cycle allows continuous operation of the optional cool box and the air conditioning system thereby eliminating the conventional switching operation. As a result, the air conditioning system and cool box are simultaneously supplied with refrigerant, enhancing performance.
For optimal heating performance, engineers equipped the Land Cruiser with an auxiliary positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater. The PTC heater consists of a PTC element, aluminum fin, and brass plate. When current is applied to the PTC element, it generates heat that warms the air that passes through the unit.
Passengers will enjoy four-zone independent control with 28 air vents located throughout the cabin. First and second-row passengers have access to individual climate control, so that all passengers will be comfortable, even when only one side of the vehicle is exposed to the sun. Finally, the system also includes a micro-dust and pollen filter and a seven-level blower control.
The driver's primary focal point, the instrument panel, features a set of bright Optitron gauges with clear turquoise illumination. The gauge on the left contains a tachometer and an oil pressure gauge, along with the Land Cruiser's warning lights. The gauge on the right contains a speedometer and a voltmeter, along with function lights that signal the operation of, among other things, the Land Cruiser's four-wheel drive system and the state of inflation of the vehicle's tires. Between them are the temperature and fuel gauges, high-beam and fuel warning lights. Beneath these gauges is a multi-informational display that shows gear selection, odometer, tripmeter, fuel consumption, individual tire pressure for all five tires and cruising range. Directly to the right on the center dash element are the HVAC and entertainment controls. To the left of the HVAC controls are the push-button start, four-wheel-drive, VSC cut-off, and center locking differential switches.
The vehicle's center console features a gate-type shifter with sequential shift mode operation, the parking brake, a storage box with several compartments and a removable tray, universal mini-jack port and cupholders.
For convenience, the passenger-side second-row seat features a one-touch tumble mechanism for easier third-row ingress and egress. The second-row seats now slide forward and aft 4.1 inches for more passenger comfort and cargo storage versatility. The second row also employs an advanced child restraint system.
Convenience and Attention to Detail
The Land Cruiser features a number of 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 carrying the key on his 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.
In addition, the Land Cruiser offers a variety of options as part of upgrade packages: a DVD rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch LCD screen; BluetoothTM technology; back-up camera; second-row heated seats; a touch-screen DVD-based navigation system with an eight-inch display that includes navigation, audio, HVAC, back-up monitor, headlamp washers, and BluetoothTM controls. For towing convenience, the Land Cruiser has a towing converter that supplies electrical power to trailer lights and a sub wiring harness to connect to a commercial trailer brake controller.
Colors
Land Cruiser will be available in eight exterior colors. New to Toyota and unique to the Land Cruiser is Amazon Green Metallic. Other colors include Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Pacific Blue Metallic, Sonora Gold Pearl, Salsa Red Pearl, Super White, and Black. These exterior colors are matched with a choice of sand beige or medium gray leather-trimmed interior.
Warranty
Toyota's 36-month/36,000-mile basic new-vehicle warranty and applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion perforation with no mileage limitation.
Source: Toyota Motor Co.