Toyota has unveiled the all-new, retro-styled Land Cruiser 250 Series, which is planned for the first half of 2024 in Japan.
If ever a manufacturer got it right with an off-road vehicle, it was Toyota with their iconic Land Cruiser. They got it so right, in fact, that their original 70 series models are still being made, sold and gobbled up.
In a more modern context, the Land Cruiser 300 offers the tech and styling cues to satisfy the contemporary consumer, while retaining the reputation of its ancestor.
But, Toyota didn’t stop there. As dawn broke on he 2nd of August the the highly anticipated Land Cruiser 250 was revealed to the world in Japan. Taking the best bits of old and new, the 250 presents as a modern beast with beautiful retro styling, destined to fill the gap in the Land Cruiser Lineup, nestled between the premium 300 and the Light Duty Prado models.
The launch included the unveiling of the 2024 Land Cruiser 250 Series which is planned for the first half of 2024 in Japan as well as the heavy-duty Land Cruiser “70” which will be making a return to the lineup in its country of origin by the close of the year.
Historically, the Land Cruiser range has been segmented into three distinct series: the technology-laden Station Wagon that has evolved into the flagship model (currently the 300 Series); the durable and off-road competent Heavy-Duty model (the 70 Series); and the user-friendly, comfortable Light Duty model which serves as a practical lifestyle choice for customers (Prado).
The Land Cruiser 250 bolsters this famous lineup, designed with five essential characteristics in mind intrinsic to the Land Cruiser brand:
- Capability
- Variety
- User-friendly interface
- Functionality and beauty
- Broad reach (the model will be sold in America again)
These elements have always been fundamental for any model carrying the Land Cruiser badge since its inception.
Significantly, the 2024 Land Cruiser 250 will be built on the GA-F platform, identical to the one used by the 300 Series. This construction enhances rigidity with a 50% increase in frame solidity and a 30% rise in overall strength.
The model’s engine options, tailored for different markets and needs, include a 2.4-litre turbocharged hybrid petrol motor with 243 kW and 630 N.m maximum output, a 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol motor with 207 kW and 430 N.m, 2.8-litre turbo diesel (available with and without a 48V system) outputting 150 kW and 500 N.m, and a 2.7-litre petrol engine with 120 kW and 246 N.m. This is the first time in its 70-year history that the model will feature a hybrid powertrain. Toyota emphasizes that reliability and durability are still at the core of the model, which is available in 170 global markets.
The updated Land Cruiser 70 will rejoin the range, powered by a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine with a peak output of 150 kW and 500 N.m.
More locally, the model is set for a South African release in the first half of 2024. Details on the local model line-up, pricing, and specifications will be disclosed nearer to the launch.
