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It’s drumroll time before the big unveilings at the Frankfurt motor show and, not wishing to be left out, Toyota has announced two new cars.
First up it’s the all-new Land Cruiser. Often seen patrolling war zones or ferrying tourists around Kenyan game reserves, the Cruiser has always been a solid old thing.
The new car comes in five-door, seven-seat flavour and UK models will only be available with a 171bhp, 3-litre diesel with 302lb ft from just 1,600rpm (that’s good pulling power in mudpluggingdom). It has air suspension with an adaptive damping system, or Roll Posture Control if you like a spot of jargon.
There’s a new Multi Terrain Select system and crawl control too, which works like Land Rover’s Terrain Response system – so you simply tell it what surface you’re on (mud, sand, the moon, whatever) and it manages the power delivery and braking system to prevent you getting stuck.
So that’s what you need for the mud.
For the city, there’s the Auris Hybrid. It’s a petrol-electric like a Prius, but a hatchback and therefore cheaper. Technically it’s only a concept, but without any wacky styling it looks ready for the showrooms. Its CO2 figures are distinctly real-world, too, at under 100g/km while still scurrying to 60mph in about 10 seconds.
If that’s got you a little excited about new metal, then check out our Cool Wall-style Frankfurt preview.
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
Mikeado commented on this article
at 04:14 pm on 14 September 2009
All very good (although more engines would be nice), but why on Earth did they design-in the face of a Daihatsu Terios? It doesn't really work.
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chickenfeed commented on this article
at 04:39 pm on 14 September 2009
A Land Cruiser is never bought for it's looks but that nose is just wrong.
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Afaque commented on this article
at 05:01 pm on 14 September 2009
The front grill is very Dihatsu Terios!! I also do agree never judge a Land Cruiser by its cover/color/shape etc but this is the ugliest Land Cruiser yet!
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TennantsLager commented on this article
at 05:20 pm on 14 September 2009
For something as utilitarian as a Land Cruiser, it is a bit fussy and futuristic looking isn't it? Not entirely sure I'd want to take it mud-plugging - looks more like a piece of technology that you'd want to keep safe indoors to me. You'll certainly notice the shunts & scrapes.......
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AlKim commented on this article
at 06:15 pm on 14 September 2009
Why is the rear wheel so tiny?
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