2012 Toyota Land Cruiser unveiled at Brussels Motor Show

2012 Toyota Land Cruiser unveiled at Brussels Motor Show

Toyota has introduced its flagship Land Cruiser V8 in its 2012 model year form at the Brussels Motor Show. The vehicle features reworked exterior and interior styling, as well as improved mod cons and a host of additional tech.
The external styling changes are led by a new oversize front bumper with integrated fog lights and a new grille that pairs chrome and silver-finished vertical bars across its width. The headlamp units have also been reconfigured, incorporating LED daytime running lights and cylindrical high and low beam HID bi-xenon headlights, and the turn indicators now extend outwards, increasing their side visibility.

The rear bumper is new too, as are the rear combination light clusters, which now feature a new double-cylinder form that echoes the look of the new headlamp units. Also slapped on are new side protection mouldings – with chrome detailing – and new-design 20-inch wheels, as well as redesigned door mirrors, which now get LED turn indicators and side view cameras.
Inside, changes made to the Land Cruiser V8′s cabin focus on raising the level of perceived quality in the look and feel of the interior. Extensive changes have been made to the dashboard layout, including the introduction of a new audio panel, a piano black paint finish for some elements, with bright silver-finish trim and chrome-plated details on the switchgear and air vents. There’s also a new, lighter interior colour scheme, matched with high-gloss wood grain trim elements and bright silver-finish details.

Meanwhile, the driver’s instrument binnacle has white Optitron dials that are backlit with blue illumination and a large, colour TFT multi-information display. The front seats, upholstered in perforated leather, gain a cool air function in addition to built-in heaters, plus a position memory setting, and active headrests have also been introduced. A Toyota Touch Pro advanced multimedia and navigation system with voice command control, Bluetooth and rear-view camera is also in the mix.
Technical revisions include an uprating of the 4.5 litre V8 turbodiesel engine, which offers 286 hp at 3,600 rpm and 650 Nm between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm – it’s now compliant to Euro 5 standards, with the introduction of a diesel particulate filter and new G3 200mPa piezo injectors in the common rail injection system. The main exhaust silencer has also been reduced in size and weight, improving fuel efficiency and reducing noise and vibration.

Of course, the ability to tackle the toughest off-road conditions has been fundamental to all Land Cruiser models, and the flagship gets new tech to extend the vehicle’s capabilities even further. The raft of new handling features includes the world-first Turn Assist, which works in conjunction with Land Cruiser V8′s Crawl Control function, plus Multi-terrain Select (MTS), Multi-terrain Monitor and Tyre Angle Display.
The Multi-terrain Monitor works in conjunction with the MTS, displaying images from four external cameras (including the ones on the door mirrors) on the multi-information screen to provide a comprehensive view of the area immediately around the vehicle in off-road situations.

As for the Tyre Angle Display, this one complements the predicted tyre path guidelines presented on the Multi-terrain Monitor – guidelines linked to the steering angle are projected in real time on the display, showing the driver changes in steering angle between zero and 45 degrees.
The hydraulic power steering also gains a new Variable Flow Control, which provides direct response and feel when travelling at cruising speed and easy operation at parking speeds. A unique, dedicated off-road setting delivers a constant level of steering assistance, whatever the terrain condition.