JDM Traditional Japanese Car Toyota Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser is a full-fledged SUV that debuted in 1951 with its roots in the Toyota Jeep. The name "Land Cruiser" is a compound word of "land" and "cruiser". There is also a theory that it competed against Land Rover of British Rover.
The Land Cruiser has its roots in the Toyota Jeep that was launched in 1951. The Toyota Jeep was developed in response to a prototype request from the Ground Self-Defense Force during the post-war reconstruction period. This jeep had a high performance with a 3.4-liter inline 6 engine, which was changed from a small truck body to four-wheel drive. However, since adopted by the Self-Defense Forces was postponed, mass production was started in 1953 after switching to a private car. After that, Jeep changed its name to Toyota Land Cruiser in 1954 due to another company's registered trademark.
In 1955, the 2nd generation Land Cruiser 20 Series was introduced. The 20 series was developed for general civilian use, as opposed to the conventional military specification. Aiming to be used in various situations, there were many variations, such as for trucks, for medical treatment, and for firefighting.
In 1960, the 3rd generation 40 series appeared and was commonly called 40 (Yonmaru, forty). In 1974, it was the first Land Cruiser to be equipped with a diesel engine, and with its heavy-duty personality, it became a popular model.
In 1967, the Land Cruiser 55 series of 4-door full-scale wagons appeared. While four-wheel drive vehicles, which were mainly used for business purposes, became popular overseas as recreational vehicles in general households, they were distinguished from the 40 series. Despite its gigantic body, it was nicknamed "moose" for its somewhat cute styling.
In 1980, the 60 series appeared as the successor to the 55 series. The exterior was also redesigned for the 55 series, reborn in the style of a station wagon that was popular in North America at the time.
In 1984, the 70 series appeared as the successor to the 40 series. The 70 series is a long-selling model that was sold for 20 years until 2004.
In 1989, the 80 series was introduced as the successor to the 60. The exterior design has changed from the traditional angular design to a rounded design. At the time of its release, it was a popular model with a waiting time of more than 6 months for delivery.
In 1998, the Land Cruiser 100 series, equipped with saloon-level equipment, was launched. For the exterior, the over fenders have been removed to increase the interior width. In addition, new systems such as the hydraulic vehicle height adjustment mechanism that started with the 80 series have been installed to make it high-tech. The wagon is equipped with a newly developed 4.7-liter V-type 8-cylinder engine, and the van is equipped with a 4.2-liter in-line 6-cylinder diesel turbo engine, making it even more powerful.
In 2007, the 200 series appeared. The frame structure has been completely redesigned, resulting in a model with improved rigidity, durability, collision safety performance, and interior comfort. It also has many state-of-the-art “crawl control” devices. In terms of safety equipment, the Land Cruiser is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P collision avoidance support package for the first time.
In 2021, the Land Cruiser 300 series, which is more sophisticated than its predecessor, has appeared. The engine has been downsized, and the 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline specification will be 415 horsepower, about 100 horsepower more than the 200 series. With a diesel engine, the 3.3-liter V6 twin-turbo produces 309 horsepower. In addition, the transmission adopts a 10-speed AT, realizing smooth acceleration. The new GR SPORT is a model that feeds back know-how in the rally.
The more sophisticated Land Cruiser will continue to evolve.
The Land Cruiser has its roots in the Toyota Jeep that was launched in 1951. The Toyota Jeep was developed in response to a prototype request from the Ground Self-Defense Force during the post-war reconstruction period. This jeep had a high performance with a 3.4-liter inline 6 engine, which was changed from a small truck body to four-wheel drive. However, since adopted by the Self-Defense Forces was postponed, mass production was started in 1953 after switching to a private car. After that, Jeep changed its name to Toyota Land Cruiser in 1954 due to another company's registered trademark.
In 1955, the 2nd generation Land Cruiser 20 Series was introduced. The 20 series was developed for general civilian use, as opposed to the conventional military specification. Aiming to be used in various situations, there were many variations, such as for trucks, for medical treatment, and for firefighting.
In 1960, the 3rd generation 40 series appeared and was commonly called 40 (Yonmaru, forty). In 1974, it was the first Land Cruiser to be equipped with a diesel engine, and with its heavy-duty personality, it became a popular model.
In 1967, the Land Cruiser 55 series of 4-door full-scale wagons appeared. While four-wheel drive vehicles, which were mainly used for business purposes, became popular overseas as recreational vehicles in general households, they were distinguished from the 40 series. Despite its gigantic body, it was nicknamed "moose" for its somewhat cute styling.
In 1980, the 60 series appeared as the successor to the 55 series. The exterior was also redesigned for the 55 series, reborn in the style of a station wagon that was popular in North America at the time.
In 1984, the 70 series appeared as the successor to the 40 series. The 70 series is a long-selling model that was sold for 20 years until 2004.
In 1989, the 80 series was introduced as the successor to the 60. The exterior design has changed from the traditional angular design to a rounded design. At the time of its release, it was a popular model with a waiting time of more than 6 months for delivery.
In 1998, the Land Cruiser 100 series, equipped with saloon-level equipment, was launched. For the exterior, the over fenders have been removed to increase the interior width. In addition, new systems such as the hydraulic vehicle height adjustment mechanism that started with the 80 series have been installed to make it high-tech. The wagon is equipped with a newly developed 4.7-liter V-type 8-cylinder engine, and the van is equipped with a 4.2-liter in-line 6-cylinder diesel turbo engine, making it even more powerful.
In 2007, the 200 series appeared. The frame structure has been completely redesigned, resulting in a model with improved rigidity, durability, collision safety performance, and interior comfort. It also has many state-of-the-art “crawl control” devices. In terms of safety equipment, the Land Cruiser is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P collision avoidance support package for the first time.
In 2021, the Land Cruiser 300 series, which is more sophisticated than its predecessor, has appeared. The engine has been downsized, and the 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline specification will be 415 horsepower, about 100 horsepower more than the 200 series. With a diesel engine, the 3.3-liter V6 twin-turbo produces 309 horsepower. In addition, the transmission adopts a 10-speed AT, realizing smooth acceleration. The new GR SPORT is a model that feeds back know-how in the rally.
The more sophisticated Land Cruiser will continue to evolve.