A Toyota executive in Australia has promised the replacement for the Land Cruiser 200 will be “truly spectacular”, adding the company “would never mess with” its legendary nameplate.
Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia sales and marketing boss, suggested to motoring.com.au that fans of the Land Cruiser 200 would not be disappointed by its successor.
“I just say to the people who are watching this or reading this, be confident. Land Cruiser is too important for us not to provide a very capable vehicle,” Hanley told the publication. “Be excited, because let me tell you, it’s truly spectacular.”
While Hanley wouldn’t be drawn on powertrain options for the new model, Toyota is widely expected to ditch the 243 kW/460 N.m 4,6-litre V8 petrol engine employed by the outgoing model in some markets as well as the 4,5-litre V8 turbodiesel that generates 195 kW and 650 N.m here in South Africa.
Earlier reports suggested the Land Cruiser 300 would be offered with the choice of a “high-torque” six-cylinder turbodiesel and a pair of 3,5-litre V6 petrol units.
“What I do want to say and I will say it again – and I know it’s probably not the answer the audience wants to hear but it’s the best I can give right now – is that, as we’ve said all along, the next Land Cruiser you can be sure will as capable if not more so than the current one.
“Whatever the powertrain, it must be capable. People will move to whatever powertrain is available if it does the things they want it to do. And I believe in every sense that Land Cruiser will be delivering that now and in the future.”
Hanley said the Japanese firm had “considered absolutely what this car stands”.
“We know the legend of Land Cruiser and we would never mess with it. People want the confidence it can do the things I want it to do, and maybe a little bit better,” he said.
