Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series leads the pack
200 Series model range
The LandCruiser 200 range has six models, with the choice of two engines and three model grades - GXL, VX and Sahara.
The two engines are a 4.7-litre petrol V8 equipped with VVT-I, and a 4.5-litre twin-turbo direct-injection diesel. The petrol engine is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission and the diesel to a six-speed automatic transmission. All LandCruiser 200 models are equipped with automatic transmission, full-time 4WD, 17-inch alloy wheels, factory air conditioning, dual front SRS airbags, front side airbags, full-length three-row side curtain-shield airbags, multi-terrain ABS (with EBD and Brake Assist), Vehicle Stability Control, Active Traction Control, Hill-start Assist Control, Smart Entry and Smart Start, second-row seatbelt anchorage height adjusters, key reminder warning, in-glass radio antenna and rear spoiler.
In addition, LandCruiser 200 GXL has Crawl Control (petrol model only), Downhill Assist Control (diesel model only), a sub fuel tank, power windows, a six-speaker audio system and dual-zone front air conditioning. The GXL petrol has KDSS (Kinetic dynamic suspension system) suspension, while the GXL diesel has the option of KDSS suspension. The system is standard on petrol and diesel VX and Sahara models. The VX grade has the additional features of driver and front passenger knee airbags, second-row seat side airbags, privacy glass, front fog lamps, metallic-look side steps, remote power windows and moonroof, door courtesy lamps, small overhead console, multi-information display (trip computer), leather seats, leather steering wheel and gearshift lever trim, power-adjustable front seats, 40:20:40 split-fold second-row seat (in lieu of 60:40 split) with twin cupholders in the centre armrest, front seat-back pockets, rear map lamps, alarm system and woodgrain interior dashboard trim.VX petrol has the additional features of a sub fuel tank and Crawl Control, while VX diesel also gains Downhill Assist Control. The top of the range Sahara has the additional features over VX grade of a reversing camera, satellite DVD navigation with six CD/DVD/MP3 changer and nine-speaker audio, four-zone climate-controlled air conditioning, cool box, electric tilt and telescopic steering column, electric folding exterior mirrors, headlamp cleaning system, wood and leather gear shift lever and steering wheel which also has audio controls and electro-chromatic interior mirror. The Sahara petrol model also has a sub fuel tank and Crawl Control, while Sahara diesel has Downhill Assist Control. The Standard Van model was discontinued and replaced by LandCruiser 70 Workmate Wagon and new Prado Standard grade.
Two new engines
The Toyota LandCruiser 200 received two new V8 engines - a 4.5-litre twin-turbo high-pressure direct-injection (common-rail) diesel with 650Nm of torque and a 4.7-litre quad-cam multi-valve petrol with intelligent variable inlet valve timing. Both were matched to automatic transmissions only, with artificial intelligence shift control and a sequential shift feature. LandCruiser's new 4461cc twin-turbo V8 diesel engine has 220Nm more torque and 45kW more power than the 4.2-litre inline turbocharged direct-injection straight six it replaced. The all-new 1VD-FTV engine delivered 195kW of power at 3400rpm and 650Nm of torque from 1600 to 2600rpm. It was matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission. The re-engineered Toyota 2UZ-FE engine delivered 32kW more power than the engine it supersedes. It has 202kW of power at 5400rpm and 410Nm of torque at 3400rpm, and is matched to a five-speed transmission.
Diesel V8
LandCruiser 200 Series' new twin-turbo V8 diesel engine was designed for performance, economy, low emissions and durability. It has the highest torque of any Toyota-badged motor vehicle ever sold in Australia and is Toyota's first twin-turbo diesel. The twin-turbo LandCruiser 200 engine is based on the single turbo LandCruiser 70 Series engine launched in Australia in March 2007. The turbocharged and intercooled Quad Cam 32-valve Toyota 1VD-FTV engine uses electronic high-pressure (common-rail) D-4D direct injection. The two turbochargers have variable nozzle vanes to ensure high engine output, low fuel consumption and low emissions.
The two compact, lightweight, low-inertia RHV4 turbochargers provide high response and high output. The 1VD-FTV engine also has an air-to-air intercooler and dual electronic throttle valves. The intercooler is mounted directly to the engine to save space under the bonnet. The 4461cc engine has a 90-degree V angle, undersquare (long stroke) bore and stroke dimensions of 86mm x 96mm to maximise torque and a compression ratio of 16.8:1. The bank offset is 22mm and the bore pitch is 97mm to create a compact block relative to the engine's displacement.
Transmissions
The LandCruiser 200's two new engines were matched to specific automatic transmissions, both with artificial intelligence and sequential shift. Both engine/transmission combinations combine the benefits of electronic throttle and electronic transmission control to optimise driveability and acceleration feel. The V8 twin-turbo diesel is matched to a new Toyota six-speed AB60F transmission. LandCruiser 200's new electric-motor activated full-time four-wheel-drive transfer has ratios of 1.000 (high range) and 2.618 (low range). Special features of the Toyota AB60F transmission include torque-converter lock-up on fifth and sixth gears for increased fuel economy and a flex-lock-up system to expand the lock-up actuation range and further increase economy. The AB60F transmission also has a deceleration downshift control to maximise the continuation of fuel cut and increase economy.
The five-speed Toyota A750F transmission in LandCruiser petrol models has the added features of flex lock-up and Toyota artificial intelligence (AI Shift). The Toyota artificial intelligence (AI Shift) transmission algorithm is designed to manage the shift regime of both LandCruiser 200 transmissions, taking into account road conditions and driver behaviour. It uses data on throttle valve opening angle, engine revolutions, vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration and the brake-lamp signal to control the basic shift pattern, as well as providing road-condition support control and driver intention support control. The AI Shift control can adjust the shift pattern to suit different drivers and provide engine braking for hill descents.
Electronic aids
The 200 Series wagons have new suspension hardware and a range of advanced Driver Assist Technology electronic driving aids to optimise on and off-road driving performance. They also have an all-new double-wishbone, coil-spring front suspension with increased wheel articulation and improved rear suspension. In addition, LandCruiser has the Australian-invented Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) standard on all models except the GXL Turbo-diesel, where it is available as an option. KDSS provides maximum wheel articulation off road and a comfortable 'flat' ride on road. LandCruiser 200's brake package is all new and features newly developed Toyota All-Terrain ABS, which literally reads the road to establish the ideal brake slip ratio curve for the traction conditions. All-Terrain ABS includes Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). All six LandCruiser 200 models have as standard equipment the electronic DAT package of All-Terrain ABS, Active Traction Control (A-TRC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).