Jan. 19, 1998

Toyota Launches New Land Cruiser

Tokyo―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today the launch of the Land Cruiser 100, a full-model change of the Land Cruiser 80. The new Land Cruiser goes on sale today at Toyota dealerships throughout Japan.

Since the Land Cruiser made its debut in 1951, its performance over rough roads and its overall mobility, durability, and reliability have won it a reputation as the 4WD sport utility vehicle (SUV) of choice for a wide range of tasks. In countries around the world, it is driven by UN organizations and is used as a rescue and aid vehicle, as a satellite broadcast relay car, and for various patrol duties.

In pursuit of the dual crowns of "King of 4WDs" and the "Top of SUVs," the Land Cruiser 100 represents a major evolution of the traditional Land Cruiser performance qualities to the highest possible level, with further emphasis on safety and environmental considerations than ever before.

: LAND CRUISER 100 WAGON VX LIMITED

EVOLUTION OF TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCE QUALITIES

Increased Power

2UZ-FE (wagon models)

The 2UZ-FE is a 32-valve, 4.7-liter, V8 DOHC gasoline engine newly developed specifically for SUV applications. The combination of long-port intake manifold, slanted squish combustion chambers, lighter moving parts, and a low-viscosity, low-friction, high-performance engine oil provides plenty of torque, power, and quietness, as well as improved fuel consumption in the normal rpm range.

Moreover, Toyota's Electronic Throttle Control System-intelligent (ETCS-i) ensures that accelerator operation by the driver is translated into optimum control of engine output.

1HD-FTE (van models)

The 1HD-FTE is a 24-valve, 4.2-liter, EFI direct-injection, intercooled, in-line 6-cylinder OF1C diesel turbo engine. The high-pressure fuel injector, turbocharger, and air-cooled intercooler provide high output and torque, together with improved quietness and reduced emissions.

Outstanding handling and stability

Excellent handling and comfort are provided by the long-wheel-stroke, double-wishbone, independent front suspension, and the introduction of rack and pinion steering.

Handling and stability are further enhanced by a newly developed suspension system that combines a hydraulic Active Height Control (AHC) suspension with the "skyhook" Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension (TEMS) that controls damping force (an option on the VX Limited).

The switch-operated AHC system allows the driver to manually raise (by 40mm at the front and 50mm at the rear) and lower (by 50mm at the front and 40mm at the rear) the body. This is useful both for preventing the vehicle from bottoming out over poor road surfaces and for providing easier access and egress.

The AHC system also has an auto-leveling setting for maintaining the body at a more or less constant height and a speed-response function for automatically adjusting the height according to vehicle speed.

TEMS

Based on the "skyhook" theory,^* TEMS adjusts the shock absorber stiffness to one of 16 settings according to vehicle speed and road conditions, helping to achieve the optimally comfortable ride.

^*"Skyhook" theory: When a vehicle is subjected to the shocks of surface irregularities input via virtual shock absorbers, the wheels are controlled to move up and down to maintain the body's "mid-air" position.

Stability also has been improved by increasing the front track by 25mm and the rear track by 15mm.

PRESTIGIOUS STYLING AND FEATURES

Strong, dynamic exterior: The horizontal lines of the wide front grille, the impression of solidity projected by the bumper, and the large, double multi-reflector headlamps help to express the strength that characterizes the Land Cruiser. In the rear, as well, the solid shape of the combination lamps and the large bumper project an image of size and stability. A strong profile is created by the flared cladding panels that seem to flow into the bumpers.

Dignified interior

The interior space has been enlarged by increasing the cabin length by 30mm and the width by 105mm (e.g., second-row seat leg space has been increased by 70mm).

Air-conditioning and audio systems

Standard equipment on wagons is dual automatic air-conditioning with separate temperature controls for front and rear seats.

To heat the cabin more rapidly, the Land Cruiser has a dual-layer heating system that recirculates air through the lower vents, but uses external air for other vents, plus the world's first viscous-type power heater, a system that utilizes heat from the silicon oil in a viscous coupling (an option on vans).

The 7-inch-wide electro-multivision screen features a split-screen/eight-way voice navigation system based on a Differential Global Positioning System (D-GPS uses FM multiplex for greater positioning precision), is VICS-compatible, and has the ability to receive FM multiplex text broadcasts and Toyota's MONET information service (optional except on the VX).

Seating comfort

The size of the seats has been increased, and urethane padding with different levels of resiliency is used to ensure an optimum distribution of weight for improved comfort.

Second-row seats of wagons are split 6:4 and can be reclined. The third row of seats has a reclining function and is removable.

Quietness

Excellent quietness has been attained by reducing engine intake and exhaust noise, increasing the rigidity of the body, using lighter drive components, and locating anti-vibration and noise-absorption materials in strategic spots.

Wind noise has been reduced by making body surfaces more flush and improving the shape of door mirrors.

Other features

An ultrasonic motor telescopes and tilts the steering column. When the ignition key is removed, the steering column tilts to its upper limit and contracts to its minimum size for easier access and egress. When the ignition key is inserted, the steering column moves back to its previous position (option on VX Limited G versions).

Optitron meters are used for maximum legibility (option on VX Limited).

Space is fully utilized in a number of ways, such as by providing a large overhead console, cupholders, and so forth.

WORLD-CLASS SAFETY

Active safety

All-round vision is improved by a high eye-point, supplementary mirrors, and a rear downward-facing mirror.

Powerful braking performance is achieved with just a light touch on the pedal, thanks to a new ABS that finely adjusts to road gradient and condition, and newly developed hydro-brake boosters and a double-link brake pedal.

Door mirrors can be equipped with optional heaters to rapidly clear away fogging and moisture, and the mirrors automatically angle downward when reverse is selected.

Passive safety

The GOA impact-absorbing body and high-integrity cabin help to ensure the class-leading safety level of the new Land Cruiser.

Ribs are built into pillars and roof side rails to help absorb collision impact, bringing the interior to the safety level required by U.S. standards (to be phased in starting September 1998) for protecting the head and upper body of passengers in the event of a collision.

Improvements to underbody construction and component installation restrain brake pedal intrusion into the cabin and better protect the legs of the driver and passengers during a collision.

In addition to dual SRS air bags, the driver and front passenger seatbelts on all models are equipped with pretensioners and force limiters. Also standard in all three seating positions in the second row are headrests and 3-point seat belts with Emergency Locking Retractors (left and right seats also have anchor points for child seats).

A warning light flashes if the driver's or front passenger's seat belt is not fastened.

COMPREHENSIVE ECOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The two newly developed, high-efficiency engines provide improved fuel consumption compared to the previous models. The improvement is about 7% for the gasoline engine (in 10•15 mode) and around 9% for the diesel turbo engine (at constant 60km/h), contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

The high pressure fuel injector, highly efficient turbo-charger, and improvements to the combustion chamber on the 4.2-liter direct-injection diesel turbo engine help to provide a major decrease in the levels of NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions. Even under difficult conditions, such as at high altitude, the black smoke that is characteristic of diesel engines is kept to virtually imperceptible levels.

Moreover, through improvements in combustion and the use of a new oil filter, the engine oil only needs to be changed every 20,000km instead of the former 10,000km.

In another measure to reduce environmental impact, the radiator, heater core, battery cable terminals, and wire harness sheathing materials containing lead were replaced by new materials containing no lead, roughly halving the total lead content of the car.

Toyota's highly recyclable Super Olefin Polymer is extensively used, both outside, for the bumpers and cladding panels, and inside, for the instrument panel and garnish.