Caught testing in Australian Outback
Toyota’s top of the line model, the big off-roader Landcruiser underwent a minor facelift in 2005. Here is now a latest photo set showing a prototype of the next generation Landcruiser during secret hot weather testing in the Australian Outback.
One of the interesting aspects of the vehicle is what appears to be an “airlift or hydraulic’ suspension which lowers the vehicle when the ignition is turned off, presumably for better ingress and egress. The vehicle appears slightly longer, lower and wider in profile than the current 100 Series LandCruiser.
Petrol engines are not known at this stage but the diesel powerplant will almost certainly be the new V8 turbo-diesel recently unrelieved in the new workhorse 70 Series range, the specs of which are: 4.5-liter DOHC 32 valve common rail turbocharged and intercooled. In the 70 Series range this engine produces 151kW @3400rpm and 430Nm from 1200 rpm. Clearly, this is very under-stressed and it’s likely power will be increased for its application in the 200 Series.
The all new Landcruiser is expected to be due for launch at this fall’s Tokyo Motor Show.
The photos are showing the prototype at a fuel stop in the Australian desert. The last picture has the current and the new model speeding away from the photographer.
