Pride of the Land Toyota Land Cruiser, the UAE’s most renowned SUV and Toyota’s longest running production vehicle, has debuted in the UAE.
Coming with 13 exterior changes, a new interior layout dubbed ‘Life Control Layout’, a class-first 8-speed automatic transmission, Toyota’s flagship Safety Sense P, and advanced tech features, the new Land Cruiser cements its position as the UAE’s leading SUV in its class.
With features ranging from wireless in-car charging for compatible mobile phones to genuine leather upholstery and metal texture ornaments the advanced design of the 2016 Land Cruiser revolves around functional beauty.
Coupled with optional 20-inch machine finished alloys, the exterior of the new Land Cruiser exude a tougher, more confident look thanks to the redesigned hood and grille, while the rear of the vehicle expresses a more stable stance with redesigned tailgate and lights.
The new Land Cruiser is also the first model to bring Toyota’s flagship Toyota Safety Sense P to the market. The car also debuts several cutting-edge driver assistance features, including Pre-collision System, which warns the driver of a probable collision, radar cruise control for comfortable and safe long distance driving, Lane Departure Alert to warn drivers of lane deviation, Automatic High Beam which helps ensure excellent forward visibility during night-time driving, Rear Cross Traffic Alert system for safer reversing in tight car parks, and a blind spot monitor for safer lane changes.
“The journey of Al-Futtaim Motors started sixty years ago with this very same car, and today we continue our journey with the launch of the redesigned Land Cruiser. The newest iteration of this iconic vehicle supplements the success that it has seen the world over, and particularly in the UAE, with new exterior and interior changes, and myriad safety and entertainment technologies to suit every customer’s needs,” said Saud Abbasi, MD of Al-Futtaim Motors.
“The Land Cruiser enjoys a long heritage in this country, and with the introduction of the redesigned driving dynamics coupled with enhanced specifications and exciting packaging, the new Land Cruiser will be a sure-fire winner in the market. Available across three different grades, customers can rest assured that they will find the Land Cruiser that’s right for them at any of our showrooms.”
Drive features
The heart of the new Land Cruiser’s capability is its 5.7-liter with dual VVT-i V8 engine, which produces 362 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 540 Nm of torque at 3,200 RPM.
The Land Cruiser is the first large SUV segment model with genuine off-road capabilities to offer a smooth and quiet 8-speed Automatic Transmission. Even with all its power, the Land Cruiser’s is no brute. It’s a highly refined machine, employing such technologies as dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and an Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS) to help maximize performance and efficiency. ACIS changes the length of the intake tract in two stages, based on RPM and throttle angle to optimize torque across the engine speed range.
The transmission’s control unit estimates road conditions to select the appropriate gear ratio for the vehicle’s speed and driving conditions. A sequential shift mode allows the driver to select gears manually – ideal for added control in challenging weather conditions.
The Land Cruiser is one of the most technically advanced four-wheel drive vehicles ever produced and is equipped with a series of advanced dynamic and handling features. These have been further extended in the new model with the introduction of the world-first Turn Assist which works in conjunction with the Crawl Control function, plus Multi-Terrain Select, Multi-Terrain Monitor and Tyre Angle Display.
The Crawl Control System helps maintain a low uniform vehicle speed by automatically controlling the engine output and brake hydraulic pressure for the purpose of reducing driver burden when in off-road conditions. Crawl control is effective on jagged off-road conditions and slippery surfaces by moderating the accelerator and brake operations, leaving the driver to fully focus on steering the vehicle. The smooth control minimizes wheel spin and wheel lock-up, ensuring vehicle stability even on slippery surfaces.
Other features include a Multi-Terrain Monitor used in conjunction with Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) to help drivers confirm their surroundings when driving off-road. The driver can select a view from the front, side, and rear cameras to easily check the vehicle blind spots and confirm their surroundings. The MTS includes Underfloor View and Panoramic View to enable the driver to visually confirm the area under the vehicle and in the front and sides respectively.
The range of advanced active-driving control features extends to the Active Traction Control system which ensures excellent limited-slip differential (LSD) functionality by controlling brake pressure to slipping wheels when running off-road in the L4 mode. Adding to the versatility of the Land Cruiser is the Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) system which prevents vehicle roll-back when stopping and then starting again on a steep incline or slippery surface while the Downhill Assist Control (DAC) helps improve directional control during descent on steep or slippery surfaces.
In addition, the vehicle features four-wheel Active Height Control and Adaptive Variable Suspension (4-Wheel AHC&AVS), a fully adjustable system that also provides spring rate control to give exceptional performance off-road. It also regulates pitch and body roll on-road to maintain ride comfort and refinement. For lift gate back door models, Aero Stabilizing Fins have also been added to the outer lens of the rear combination lamps, contributing to excellent handling and stability.
