COURTESY of sharing the identical TNGA-F ladder chassis because the Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX 700h, the LandCruiser 300 will achieve a turbo-petrol hybrid V6 engine possibility in Australia subsequent yr.
With a facial skin-tightening 326kW and 790Nm to shift its not insignificant bulk, the Toyota LC300 hybrid will likely be far and away essentially the most highly effective manufacturing LandCruiser ever provided in Australia.
Given the promised Nissan Patrol Y63 hybrid stays unseen and due to this fact doubtless a way off for Australia, Toyota’s announcement throws down the gauntlet at a time when its Japanese rival has been having fun with document gross sales of the V8-powered Y62 Down Underneath.
It’s doubtless the LC300 hybrid will likely be initially restricted to high-spec variants such because the GR Sport and Sahara ZX that at the moment listing with the three.3-litre diesel engine at $146,160 and $146,910 respectively (each earlier than on-road prices). Toyota’s announcement was accompanied by photographs of the diesel Sahara ZX.
The bottom Tundra is a bounce as much as $155,990 + ORC and the range-topping Tundra Platinum lists at a whopping $172,990 + ORC whereas the Lexus LX 700h is but to be confirmed for Australia.
As such, it might be affordable to count on pricing for the hybrid LandCruiser to fall someplace between top-tier diesel variants and the Tundra.
By comparability, Nissan’s last-of-the-line naturally aspirated Y62 Patrol V8 sells from $90,600 + ORC and is outpunched by the incoming Toyota hybrid with “solely” 298kW/590Nm and is, paradoxically, about to get replaced with a twin turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 with 317kW/700Nm at an unknown value however definitely greater than the Y62.
GMC’s close to three-tonne Yukon Denali SUV sells from $174,990 + ORC and is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine creating 313kW/624Nm, once more, outgunned by the Toyota’s hybrid mill.
Toyota stays tight-lipped about its new ‘Energy Cruiser’ as to cost and specs however has confirmed its arrival will likely be in the course of the first half of subsequent yr.
It’s not clear whether or not Toyota Australia is accepting orders this far out from launch however dealerships are doubtless taking deposits or expressions of curiosity on the very least.
The hybrid ’Cruiser will be a part of a brace of present 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel fashions which can be rated at 227kW and 700Nm with a 3500kg braked towing capability.
Based mostly on GoAuto’s expertise with the domestically re-engineered Tundra that makes use of the identical hybrid driveline, gas economic system could also be within the circa-10L/100km vary unladen or roughly the identical because the diesel.
Surprisingly, the hybrid Tundra additionally makes use of about the identical because the diesel LC300 when towing (and closely loaded).
The LandCruiser’s incoming i-Pressure-Max petrol powertrain is a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 with a parallel hybrid single electrical motor-generator driving all 4 wheels by way of a 10-speed fluid automated transmission with low-range switch case (though the Tundra has a selectable 4×4 system and might run in rear-wheel drive).
Petrol’s position within the i-Pressure-Max set-up is 290kW and 639Nm whereas the electrical half provides 36kW/250Nm.
Toyota Australia can barely comprise its pleasure concerning the incoming LC300 hybrid, saying the mannequin has “entered a brand new period with the reveal of the primary ever efficiency one-motor hybrid powertrain possibility, combining Toyota’s decades-long experience in hybrid powertrain know-how with the LandCruiser’s storied fame for high quality, sturdiness and reliability”.
“The introduction of a efficiency hybrid LandCruiser marks an essential step in Toyota Australia’s multi-pathway strategy in the direction of electrification, providing prospects a mixture of powertrain applied sciences to assist their diverse existence.
“Constructing on the legacy of hybrid know-how which started in October 2001 with the introduction of the Prius to Australia, the primary efficiency hybrid LandCruiser delivers improved energy and robust towing functionality from its parallel one-motor hybrid system over the prevailing diesel powertrain.”
Toyota Australia vp gross sales, advertising and franchise operations Sean Hanley stated the brand new LandCruiser 300 Collection would provide prospects a degree of efficiency by no means earlier than provided on the nameplate.
“For many years, Australians have trusted the LandCruiser to get them to the furthest reaches of the nation and again once more – it’s synonymous with Australian outback touring due to its unimaginable functionality and dependability,” Mr Hanley stated.
“We have now at all times stated that Toyota goals to supply the precise powertrains to swimsuit our prospects, and we’re excited to introduce the primary efficiency hybrid LandCruiser subsequent yr, which is able to provide a degree of functionality by no means earlier than seen on our flagship four-wheel drive.”
GoAuto will publish extra particulars concerning the new petrol/hybrid LandCruiser 300 as they arrive handy.
