2012 Toyota Land Cruiser UK Spec
Following the introduction of the new 2012 Land Cruiser to the global market, Toyota UK released details of the British version of the car.
The Land Cruiser has always been one of the most popular SUVs in the UK market, and the new one is expected to continue that success. Because it’s hardly changed! Changes are subtle but good ad effective. The newly unveiled 2012 model goes even further in terms of sharper design inside and out, more creature comforts and advanced handling technologies for exceptional off-road capabilities. It comes with a revised 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel engine, meeting Euro 5 emissions standards.
Making its debut this week at the Brussels motor show, the 2012 Land Cruiser V8 will go on sale in the UK in March. More details of the UK range will be announced nearer the time of launch.
As for the off-road capability, the 2012 LC comes with Advanced technologies such as: o World-first Turn Assist, reducing vehicle turning radius when negotiating tight bends o Crawl Control with seven speed settings for steep incline climbs and descents o Multi-terrain Select with five modes to suit different off-road conditions o Multi-terrain Monitor providing 360-degree view of vehicle surroundings via four external cameras o Tyre Angle Display
o Variable Flow Control power steering
Toyota press release:
Exterior design
It is at the front of the vehicle that the external styling changes on the 2012 Land Cruiser V8 are most evident, led by a new over-size bumper with integrated fog lights and a new grille that pairs chrome and silver-finished vertical bars across its width. In spite of the bumper’s large dimensions, the sharply trimmed lower section ensures the extent of the front overhang does not compromise the approach angle when driving off-road.
The headlamp units have been reconfigured, incorporating LED daytime running lights and cylindrical high and low beam High Intensity Discharge bi-xenon headlights. The turn indicators extend outwards, increasing their visibility to the side.
In profile, the foreshortening effect of the lower sections of new front and rear bumpers is clear to see, while the vehicle’s built-in toughness is reflected in thick new side protection mouldings with chrome detailing. The door mirrors have been revised, too, now incorporating LED turn indicators and side view cameras linked to the new Multi-Terrain Monitor (see below). New-design 20-inch alloy wheels are also introduced for 2012.
At the rear the combination light clusters have been redesigned with a new double-cylinder form that echoes the look of the new headlamp units. The turn indicators are more prominent and the reversing lights are relocated to be on a level with the licence plate trim.
As with the daytime running lights and door mirror turn indicators, power-saving LEDs are used for the rear lights, which have the added benefit of lighting up more quickly than conventional filament bulbs.
Interior design
Changes made to the Land Cruiser V8′s cabin focus on raising the level of perceived quality in the look and feel of the interior, improving the quality and comfort and designing, in better ergonomics and functionality for the controls and switchgear.
A new, lighter interior colour scheme will be available, matched with high-gloss wood grain trim elements and bright silver-finish details.
Extensive changes have been made to the dashboard layout, including the introduction of a new audio panel, a piano black paint finish for some elements with bright silver-finish trim and chrome-plated details on the switchgear and air vents.
The driver’s instrument binnacle has white Optitron dials that are backlit with blue illumination and a large, colour TFT multi-information display.
The front seats, upholstered in perforated leather, gain a cool air function in addition to built-in heaters, plus a position memory setting. Active headrests are also introduced to help prevent whiplash injury in a rear-end collision.
In the rear the 40:20:40 seats have a new manual sliding mechanism allowing each section to be moved through a 90mm range. The outer seat headrests have been made larger for extra support and comfort, and the centre seat can be folded forward to create an armrest.
Uprated 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel engine
Detailed revisions to the 4,461cc V8 turbodiesel engine have ensured emissions comply with Euro 5 standards. These include the introduction of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and new G3 piezo injectors in the common rail injection system. Injection pressure of 200mPa delivers better throttle response as well as reducing emissions.
The engine produces 286bhp (200kW) at 3,600rpm and maximum torque of 650Nm between 1,600 and 2,800rpm.
The addition of the DPF allows for the main exhaust silencer be reduced in size and weight, improving fuel efficiency and reducing noise and vibration. Noise and vibration levels have also been reduced in a series of detailed engine adjustments and the strategic use of insulation material between the injector system and head cover.
Stronger off-road capabilities
The ability to tackle the toughest off-road conditions has been fundamental to all Land Cruiser models and with the 2012 Land Cruiser V8 Toyota has harnessed advanced technologies to extend the vehicle’s capabilities even further.
The raft of new handling features includes the world-first Turn Assist, which works in conjunction with Land Cruiser V8′s Crawl Control function, plus Multi-terrain Select (MTS), Multi-terrain Monitor and Tyre Angle Display.
Crawl Control with world-first Turn Assist
Crawl Control can be used when the vehicle transmission is in L4 and speed is below 15mph (25km/h) – on its own or in conjunction with the MTS. It helps the driver to make a slow, controlled descent or climb on steep slopes, or help free the vehicle should it become stranded.
The system has been developed so that it now offers a choice of five vehicle speed settings. An independent, switchable Turn Assist function has been added to Crawl Control, which can help drivers execute very tight turns without having to reverse mid-bend. Operating at speeds below 6mph (10km/h), it reacts to the driver’s steering inputs, braking the rear wheel on the same side of the vehicle as the direction of turn. The wheel braking force automatically increases with the steering angle, reducing the vehicle’s turning radius.
Multi-terrain Select
The Multi-terrain Select (MTS) automatically modifies the throttle, braking and traction control to suit off-road conditions and deliver the best possible traction and vehicle control.
MTS offers a choice of five terrain modes: Mud and Sand; Loose Rock; Mogul; Rock; and Dirt and Rock. The new Multi-terrain Monitor automatically displays a view of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings on the multi-information screen.
In any of the five modes, the centre and rear differentials can be locked to gain maximum traction.
Multi-terrain Monitor
The Multi-terrain Monitor works in conjunction with the MTS, displaying images from four external cameras on the multi-information screen. It gives a comprehensive view of the area immediately around the vehicle when driving off-road (forward or reverse), helping the driver spot and avoid hazards that might otherwise be obscured.
The cameras are positioned front and rear and on the left and right door mirrors. The display can be adjusted to show single or combined front and/or side views. When the shift lever is moved to reverse, the display automatically switches to the rear view.
The front camera uses a wide angle lens to show the widest possible forward view, bringing blind spots such as the area immediately in front of the bonnet into sight.
The monitor also shows additional front and side view information, including the view range of the cameras and the location of obstacles detected by the clearance sonar.
The display also shows the front and rear tyre contact points; guidelines indicating the predicted path of the front tyres; and parallel vehicle width and length lines to help the driver judge distances and avoid obstacles
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