Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has announced the addition of the “250” series to the Land Cruiser lineup in Japan. Alongside this, it has also released the special edition models ZX “First Edition” and VX “First Edition.” These special models are limited to a total of 8,000 units.

The all-new “250” series was created with the role and mission of supporting people’s lives by offering ease of handling based on strong off-road performance.

The development team set out to return the Land Cruiser Prado, which shifted toward high-end and luxury over time, to the light-duty model that customers have come to expect.

Under the keyword “back to the basics,” they defined the development concept as “The Land Cruiser: a vehicle that supports customers’ daily lives and one they can trust.”

With the same robust GA-F platform as the “300” series, the “250” series has pursued exceptional off-road performance. It is the first in the Land Cruiser lineup to feature electric power steering (EPS) and a Stabilizer with Disconnection Mechanism (SDM).

EPS reduces kickback during off-road driving, ensuring ease of handling whether on or off-road, while the SDM enables the front stabilizer state to be locked or unlocked at the touch of a button, delivering driving performance and ride comfort when off-road and handling stability when on-road.

The “250” series is available with two types of powertrains: a 2.8-litre direct injection turbodiesel engine with Direct Shift-8AT and a 2.7-litre petrol engine with 6 Super ECT.

The 2.8-litre turbodiesel offers up a maximum of 500Nm of torque from 1,600-2,800rpm, while the 2.7-litre petrol engine puts down 163hp and 246Nm of torque.

Power is sent to all four wheels by a full-time 4WD with TORSEN limited-slip differential (LSD) on the centre differential. The electric rear differential lock provides powerful off-road driving performance on rough roads, while the degree of freedom in front and rear driving torque distribution has been expanded to achieve even greater driving stability.

The “250” series adopts the traditional wheelbase of 2,850mm from the Land Cruiser “80” series with a body size of 4,925mm in length and 1,980mm in width. 408 litres of luggage space is available, and the second and third rows of seats can be folded to liberate more carrying capacity.

The special edition ZX “First Edition” and VX “First Edition,” which were designed with the spirit of returning to the origin of the Land Cruiser, are being sold to commemorate the launch of the “250” series. A total of 8,000 units will be sold.

The ZX “First Edition” is based on the ZX turbodiesel, and includes special equipment such as round Bi-Beam LED headlights, matte black painted aluminium wheels, and 18-inch off-road tyres to emphasize its return to its roots.

The VX “First Edition” is based on the VX petrol and turbodiesel versions, and features an exclusive Sand exterior colour and Dark Chestnut interior colour. Toyota Safety Sense and Toyota Teammate with advanced functions are also available to further enhance safety and security equipment.

To support customers in customizing their Land Cruisers into their own unique vehicles, they can now choose interior and exterior items from both JAOS and Toy-Factory brands in addition to Toyota genuine parts and MODELLISTA parts.

Photo Credits: Toyota

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The Toyota Land Cruiser, now 72 years old, has been a staple of the rough and tumble worldwide. Remember, the Aussies have a saying that goes something like, “if you want to head bush, take a Land Rover. But if you want to come back out again, take a Land Cruiser.”

Toyota’s legendary reliability and simplicity meant that the Land Cruiser rarely broke down, and when it did, it was relatively easy to fix with a rock and some string while deep off the beaten track. And when talking about Land Cruisers going off the beaten track, people often think of scenes such as these:

The image one would have in mind is likely that of the Land Cruiser 70 Series, which was launched in 1984 as a heavy-duty model primarily
for commercial use and in harsh environments. And so, in 2023, Toyota has re-introduced the Land Cruiser 70, albeit for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) only.

Featuring a 2.8-litre direct-injection turbo diesel engine that puts out 204hp and 500Nm of torque, this new 70 Series will not be left wanting in the rough and tumble of nature.

Its superb abilities off the beaten track primarily derive from a six-speed automatic transmission that’s mated to a part-time selectable four-wheel drive (4WD) system featuring electronic differential locks, and everything’s mounted to a tough ladder frame.

Aiding these foundational aspects of the Land Cruiser 70 are an array of driving and braking control systems, including Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Active Traction Control (A-TRC), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and Downhill Assist Control (DAC).

On the inside, this 70 Series seats five and features cavernous cargo capacity in the back. Also equipped are Back Monitor and Toyota Safety Sense which features the new Pre-crash Safety, auto-control lighting, and drive-start control functions for greater peace of mind.

Being basic and straightforward is what makes the Land Cruiser 70 perfectly suited for the rough and tumble.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price or MSRP is JPY4,800,000 plus applicable local fees and taxes (accurate at the time of this article). Toyota expects a production volume of 400 units per month.

Given this number, we won’t be surprised if this Land Cruiser 70 becomes available in other markets through grey-import channels IF Toyota decides to keep the 70 Series JDM-only.

We certainly hope to see a few units running around in Singapore, although not in mountain climbing as the image above suggests. Maybe Bukit Timah Hill and Mount Faber negotiating-guise.

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Believe it or not, the Toyota Land Cruiser is 72 years old now. Originally launched as the Toyota BJ in 1951, the Land Cruiser has been a staple of the rough and tumble worldwide. Aussies have a saying that goes something like, “if you want to head bush, take a Land Rover. But if you want to come back out again, take a Land Cruiser.”

Toyota’s legendary reliability and simplicity meant that the Land Cruiser rarely broke down, and when it did, it was relatively easy to fix with a rock and some string while deep off the beaten track.

And so, it is heartwarming to see a new Land Cruiser land in 2023. First up is the 250 Series. This is Toyota’s core Land Cruiser model, and is based on the same GA-F platform as the 300 Series to keep its off-road credentials intact and alive.

What most customers will purchase is the version with the rectangular headlights above, but the lucky few who hasten to plonk down the required moolah can enjoy a limited-run First Edition with the 70 Series-mimicking retro round headlights and two-tone paint schemes.

Being based on Toyota’s GA-F platform, which is a body-on-frame platform that also underpins the 2024 Lexus GX, frame rigidity is increased by 50% while overall rigidity goes up 30%. The basic suspension performance is improved with greater wheel articulation, meaning more off-roady action in more demanding conditions.

The 250 Series also gains electric power steering with Lane Tracing Assist, and Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism which disconnects the front sway bar for more wheel articulation and tyre contact with terrain while off-roading, and connects it for less body movement and more stability while driving on-road. Multi-Terrain Monitor and Multi-Terrain Select help ensure the most optimal settings for the driving conditions at hand, be it on tarmac or otherwise.

Powering the 250 Series Land Cruiser will be a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine, with and without hybrid assist. 281hp and 430Nm of torque, and 330hp and 630Nm of torque are available from the non-hybrid and hybrid powertrains respectively while mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. For those who prefer simplicity, a non-turbo 2.7-litre petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission puts down 163hp and 246Nm of torque for select markets such as Eastern Europe, Japan, etc.

Additionally, a 2.8-litre turbodiesel with 204hp and 500Nm of torque will also be available, and will likely be the preferred engine in markets where diesel vehicles are not looked upon like leprosy.

On the inside, the 250 Series carries on the tradition of being rugged to withstand harsh usage conditions, simple and easy to figure out and use, and features good outward visibility that’s as crucial on-road as it is on the rough stuff. Not difficult to see why many off-road adventurers’ go-to vehicle is the Land Cruiser.

Added to that are some modern touches like the digital instrument cluster and updated infotainment to bring things into 2024. A capable off-roader should be simple and easy to use, but it doesn’t have to be monotonous. “Hey Siri/Google, play <insert preferred music source here>!”

This then brings us to the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) portion of this article – the 70 Series Land Cruiser is making a comeback to Japan as a regular model in Toyota’s showroom line-up and will feature a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine that puts down 204hp and 500Nm of torque to the road via a six-speed automatic transmission.

This 70 Series carries on the traditional Land Cruiser look and feel that most enthusiasts have come to love. The interior is lightly updated to keep up with the times but everything in here is designed to feel traditional and familiar.

Although JDM-only, we’re willing to wager that some units may turn up on Singapore’s shores as parallel imports.

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