When it comes to big four-wheel drive off-road vehicles, the Toyota Land Cruiser is in a class of its own. With the current generation (J200) built from 2007 onwards, the time has come for the Japanese company to freshen up the Rando-kuruza for 2016. Slated to arrive in the States as the 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a Japanese mag claims it has acquired the first photographs of the facelifted model.
Currently available in every market around the world with the exception of South Korea, North Korea, and Canada, the Toyota Land Cruiser J200 could ditch its stiff upper lip front fascia design for one that borrows styling cues from the RX-78 Gundam robot from the Gundam anime series. The way the light is reflecting on the chrome grille begs a question: is this a Photoshop fantasy or just bad editing?
It’s hard to tell due to the fact the three-quarter front view photo is printed on a glossy piece of paper, but the 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser does look good this way. The LED daytime running lights integrated with the headlights, new fog lights and redesigned lower front bumper and grille also seem fitting for the carmaker’s toughest nameplate. While the side profile didn’t benefit from any obvious nip and tuck, the rear gains modern-looking taillights, and a modified trunk door. There are a few mods inside too.
The highlights include a redesigned instrument panel (still two gauges flanking a central digital screen) and center console, as well as a touchscreen infotainment system, new sound system, and audio controls. The gear lever is surrounded by an array of buttons and two rotary dials. In terms of get-up-and-go, the only data available is kind of curious.
The Japanese mag claims it’s a 2,755 cc turbo diesel engine with 177 PS (174 HP in American money) that’s coupled to a 6-speed auto. Will the 2016 Toyota Hilux’s 1GD-FTV inline-4 arrive on the updated Land Cruiser with 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) on tap? Let’s wait and see.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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