9 February 2022 · New Vehicles
Everything You Need to Know about the Toyota LandCruiser
When it comes to famous vehicles, the words legend and icon are frequently overused. But the Toyota LandCruiser is unequivocally deserving of its legend and Aussie icon badges. In 1958 LandCruiser carved out its status in Australia as a nation-builder and explorer. With a LandCruiser, there was nothing you couldn’t do, nowhere you couldn’t go.
The LandCruiser 300 series will soon be making its way to Parramatta Toyota. With invincibility in its DNA, the new 300 series takes luxury, cabin comfort, power and driver-focused technologies to levels yet unseen.
The new LC300 promises an idyllic blend of open road/no road adventure and stylish city cruising. Luxuriously appointed and sporting muscular new styling, it’s the culmination of decades of Toyota success, generations from its utilitarian-military roots.
Let’s take a brief look at the LandCruiser journey, and how necessity and the desire to drive has shaped a household name.
The LandCruiser Journey
History of the LandCruiser
LandCruiser began its distinguished life in the early 50’s during the Korean War. The US needed a utility vehicle with off-road capability that would help them in the Korean war. Importantly, it had to be produced locally in Asia. The Toyota Jeep BJ, essentially a prototype, was selected and began a life in service.
The name “Jeep” was a trademark conflict. Hence in 1954, the original name was dropped, and LandCruiser was born. Still a military vehicle, it wasn’t until 1958 that it would be released to the general public in the US.
1958 also marked the arrival of the Landcruiser in Australia, and again, its mission was hard work. It was imported by the Thiess brothers to be used to access remote and difficult terrain during the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. Over 60 years later, Toyota and LandCruiser have been selected to undertake the same role on the Snowy Hydro II project.
The LandCruiser was the vehicle of choice for countless public and private infrastructure projects. They were chosen because of their reliability and for the simple reason that they could go where other vehicles couldn’t.
It was from the 1960s on that the Cruiser began confirming its status as the commercial vehicle of choice. The 40 series, including the FJ45 and FJ47 were widely used in mining, farming, and military roles, as well as any role that required traversing Australia’s unforgiving outback. And with growing interest, new models would quickly follow.
1967 saw the introduction of the 55 series, which included four doors – a substantial leap forward for convenience. It was the first step beyond pure workhorse utility toward basic creature comforts. The 55 would feed an already growing recreational vehicle market for the next decade, paving the way for the Cruiser that would make the legend, the 60 series.
A Legend is Born
The 60 series hit the Aussie market in November 1980. Such was the success it is still sought after today, with many Cruiser fans still desiring a 60 in the shed. The popular 60 signalled Toyota could combine work, play, and a level of passenger comfort in the same vehicle.
The introduction of the 70 series in 1984 demonstrated the Cruiser was staying the workhorse/terrain-tamer course. The 70 series wagon, troop carrier, and cab-chassis were, and still are, the dream vehicles for tradies, off-roaders, and adventurers. With the 70 series, the legend grew taller, but Toyota wanted more for its Cruiser.
The 80 series release in 1990 was a clear demonstration the Cruiser deserved an option for creature comforts and some city class while maintaining its phenomenal access. The 80 series became the 4WD dirt-wise family adventure wagon, and would go on to become one of the most successful 4WD wagons in Australia.
The 100 series arrived in Australia in 1998. Already convinced by the class and comforts of the 80 series, Australian family adventurers were drawn to the 100 series wagon with its serious luxury, stunning appointments, city-wise street creds, and access to all areas of off-road performance. But the 200 series would take this even further.
City-Wise Luxury, Tech and Open-Road Adventure
In 2007, the Cruiser had come of age. The LC 200 Series graced the streets, embracing the tech era with advancements from suspension to dash controls. In its element on-road and off, Toyota had mastered the marriage between bespoke refinement and off-road capability. It’s equally at home on a remote cattle station as it is in your urban apartment, utilised as the everyday family drive.
The upcoming LC 300 Series progresses the Cruiser from high-tech luxury to sophistication and intelligence. It’s perfectly designed to access Australia’s most hostile terrain, yet it’s civilised and refined for city elegance.
A powerful all-new 3.3 litre diesel engine and new transmission take top billing. Now lighter and stronger, there’s 700Nm of torque delivering 3500kg of towing capacity. The new 300 series offers full-time 4WD across all variants and is the strongest, safest, smartest, and most luxurious LandCruiser yet. Truly all-terrain, it’s an oasis on congested city streets, a stable venturer on open country roads, and a supremely confident explorer where there are no roads at all. The new LC300 ushers in a new era of Cruiser legend.
Coming soon to Parramatta Toyota
Contact the team at Parramatta Toyota and register your interest now. Anticipation is building already, and we’re inviting you to share in the excitement.