According to carsensor.net, the reversal by Toyota’s Management Board came not long after the final presentation was made, with the online publication claiming that an unnamed board member had described the looks as resembling those of a facelift instead of being completely new, and that a “rethinking [was] necessary”.
While the image provided merely rates as yet another render of what the Land Cruiser could possibly look like, what has now become apparent is that newcomer could potentially loose its body-on frame platform for a variant of the flexible TNGA architecture that underpins the new Corolla, RAV4, C-HR, Camry and certain Lexus models to name but a few, meaning it will adopt a unibody layout like the Nissan Pathfinder.
The alleged swap to the new platform will also see the end of the current V8 engines, with a prior report having stipulated that power will come from the 3.5-litre designated 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 that powers the Lexus LS, albeit with a hybrid setup for the same outputs of 310kW/600Nm.
Connected to the same Multi Stage Hybrid gearbox that pairs a four-speed torque converter automatic with a CVT for an effective 10-speed configuration, the article further claims that the Land Cruiser, which will drop the 200 suffix and adopt the 300 moniker, will have a height of 1 870mm and width 1 985mm, while the wheelbase remains at 4 950mm.
Despite the switch to hybrid power, Toyota will however continue to offer a turbodiesel engine reportedly outside of Japan, which could have a V6 layout as the current 2.8 GD-6 used in the Prado and Hilux will more than likely be insufficient. If indeed approved, it will effectively confirm comments made earlier this year by Toyota’s Argentinian CEO, Daniel Herrero, who stated that a V6 could be offered in the current Hilux “in around 12 months’ time”.
