Again in June when Toyota hosted the world premiere of the brand new Alphard and Vellfire minivans, it additionally briefly confirmed a shadowy silhouette of what’s going to be a Century SUV. Quick ahead to this week, the debut occasion for the Land Cruiser 250 additionally included an official preview of a special product. Really, make that two. The silhouettes of two unknown SUVs appeared within the background for a couple of seconds on the very finish of the occasion.
The presentation held by Toyota’s Chief Branding Officer did not embody particulars in regards to the two mysterious automobiles. Nonetheless, Simon Humphries did trace one thing new is on the horizon: “Suffice it to say, there are many thrilling paths to altering the way forward for automobiles.” Previous to this assertion, he stated Land Cruiser prospects need the automaker to maintain the nameplate related, and doing so might imply “carbon impartial approaches” and ensuring the LC is “extra inexpensive” in addition to “inside attain of much more individuals world wide.”
Placing two and two collectively, and analyzing the acquainted boxy form of the SUV on the left, we may be getting an early have a look at the FJ Cruiser revival in electrical guise. In spite of everything, Toyota already teased it approach again in late 2021, so it should not come as a giant shock the off-roader might be returning and not using a combustion engine. Pictured under is the Compact Cruiser idea that despatched a powerful FJ Cruiser vibe.
We must always level out the potential resurrection of the FJ Cruiser would contradict a report from Reuters. The respected information company wrote in October 2022 that Toyota allegedly halted the event of an electrical second-generation mannequin in addition to that of a Crown EV. Maybe that was true at that time and now the FJ Cruiser (no less than) is within the works once more.
Though Toyota discontinued the FJ Cruiser in the USA after the 2014 mannequin 12 months, manufacturing did not finish till December 2022. It means the Japanese model manufactured the mannequin for almost 17 years earlier than pulling the plug with a Remaining Version for the Center East restricted to 1,000 models.
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As for the opposite SUV teased in the course of the Land Cruiser 250’s premiere, it’s lots greater and has considerably much less floor clearance than the high-riding “FJ Cruiser.” We have performed with the brightness and publicity of the picture in an try and unlock extra design particulars. It too appears to be an EV and we’re questioning whether or not it is a Toyota or a Lexus, though given the context, it is in all probability the previous. For what it is price, it does not appear to be the Century-badged SUV debuting later this 12 months as that one is shaping as much as be a Japanese tackle the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
As a ultimate word, the 250 is not the one Land Cruiser unveiled this week as Toyota is updating the venerable 70 collection, which is able to have fun its fortieth anniversary in 2024. It is being reintroduced at residence in Japan whereas the Australian model is sticking with the V8 diesel and five-speed handbook gearbox combo, joined by a four-cylinder diesel with an computerized.
