Is it coming? When is it coming? How will it impact the current Land Cruiser range? The rumour mill is in overdrive about the launch date of the much-awaited Land Cruiser 300, but the folks at Toyota remains tight-lipped.
A little birdie told us the global release is planned for the second quarter of 2021, with possible domestic introduction later the same year. For now, we can only speculate and share the info we have gathered so far:
1) The Land Cruiser 300 is set to be built on a new ladder-frame TGNA platform and under the bonnet we will see a 3.3-litre V6 diesel engine, promising to outperform the old 4.5-liter V8 diesel engine and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine with ballpark outputs of 300kW and 600Nm.
2) The LC300 will reportedly be substantially bigger than the vehicle it replaces, stretching to 4 970mm in length, only 15mm shy of the 2m mark in width, and 1 870mm in height. The wheelbase should sit at 2 700mm which in itself not a massive change, but the LC200 is already a big beast and customers are likely to put a premium on space.
3) Moving to the inside, there would be a choice of a five- or eight-seater over two or three rows. The infotainment centre will feature 12.3″ multimedia touch screen, compatible Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Toyota’s Safety Sense system will provide a wealth of driver-assist and safety features.
Currently, we don’t know if Toyota would bring out a GR version of the LC300, but it could be a reality as the most models in the current line-up comes in GR guise (the GR Yaris arriving soon and a GR Hilux currently in the pipeline). In terms of models, Toyota will undoubtedly still offer the GX and VX range locally, but be ready to pay more for the new Land Cruiser 300.
Hardcore Land Cruise fans, however, do not need to fear. Toyota has confirmed that there is currently no plan to discontinue the Land Cruiser 70 series. Perhaps we will even see the 3.3-litre V6 diesel in it? We, like you, will have to wait and see what team Toyota has up their sleeve.
