Pitted against the roughest terrain in the world during its development, the new Land Cruiser conquered it all with ease and fantastic style, writes Paddy Comyn
It was probably safe to assume that this would be good. While some companies boast about how quickly they can develop a car and bring it to market, Toyota, with their new V8 Land Cruiser, are proud to say they took 5 years, twice as long as any normal passenger car, to get it just right.
From Japan, to America, Oman and Australia, Toyota literally battered their prototype vehicles to ensure there was little that this new off-road couldn't put up with. But the gestation period of this latest version could be seen as stretching back a lot further. Land Cruisers have been around in various shapes and forms since 1951 and have climbed mountains, crossed rivers and even kept UN troops out of trouble since then.
I have my own fond memories of the Land Cruiser. As a very green-around-the-gills 15-year-old, I worked in a safari park in Zambia and the vehicle that protected us from the clutches of the wildlife was a very battered 1979 Land Cruiser. It started every time and required little more maintenance than you could provide with a lump hammer. Land Cruiser became a by-word for reliability and off-road prowess. Go to Dubai and participate in an off-road sand dune experience and you will only see Land Cruisers - their skilled pilots wouldn't dream of driving anything else.
The flagship model, which was known as the VX or Amazon, was always popular with a certain "set" in Ireland. It was expensive, yet commanded a fiercely loyal following, ranging from successful building contractors to farmers. You could buy a Land Cruiser and have all the creature comforts of a high-end luxury vehicle, but, if required, it could uproot a tree without breaking a sweat.
In recent years, the flagship model started to show its age and looked pretty agricultural compared with the refinement offered by the likes of the Range Rover and, more recently, the Audi Q7. It became difficult to justify paying over €100,000 when you could have a Range Rover, brimming with luxury and technology, for the same price. The Range Rover had the on-road refinement, and suddenly boasted enough off-road ability to make the Land Cruiser look very ordinary indeed.
It was time for Toyota to put on their thinking caps. Some five years and several battered prototypes later, the new Land Cruiser V8 has rolled into Ireland, at a time when we are all talking about CO2 and reducing emissions. And this gives a spectacular two fingers to all of that.
Visually, you are left in no doubt that it is what it is. The Land Cruiser DNA is all over the place, but the new model is longer, taller and wider than the one it replaces. Put simply, it is absolutely enormous.
There has certainly been more time put into the styling, and its vast bulk has been refined, with more curves and softer edges. The chrome radiator grille and new headlamps give the SUV a more upmarket look, as do the LEDs in the rear lights. You could stick a Lexus badge on it, as has been done previously in the US, and it wouldn't look out of place.
Climb inside (and I really mean climb) and there has been a vast improvement in its interior. There was never a problem with quality, but it was all a bit bland. This has changed, with more fine leather, wood and soft-touch plastic in evidence.
The centre console is dominated by a large touch-screen that houses the navigation, audio and phone interface. In between the two seats is a massive coolbox that will keep your water ice-cold, even if you happen to be in the Sahara.
Behind you are five seats. The second row slides for extra leg room, and the two rear-most seats can tumble out of the way. Never mind swinging a cat, you could swing an adult male lion in there. It is truly vast.
Toyota claims that this is the most capable, ultimate go-anywhere vehicle. And a colleague who was at the European launch of this model can testify to that. He returned with tales of rock-climbing that would put a Sherpa to shame. All this is thanks not only to almost 60 years of off-road heritage and plenty of practice, but the employment of some truly remarkable new off-road technology.
I won't bore you with the finer details, but basically, as well as replacing the torsion bar at the front with coil springs and giving the wheels greater travel, the suspension of all four wheels is linked to a fully-adjustable suspension system, four-wheel Active Height Control and Adaptive Variable Suspension (4W AHC&AVS). There is also spring-rate control, meaning that this Land Cruiser has probably the most complicated suspension system of any SUV.
Spring rate control means that the front suspension can be stiffened to reduce roll or pitch during high-speed manoeuvres, but softened during normal driving for maximum comfort. A new mechanical system functions as a link between the four wheels, which, on-road, means greater stability but off-road means that they can move out of phase with each other. The wheels can therefore be released to give greater grip and articulation over bad surfaces. The more ground contact, the better off-road ability you have.
Active Height Control means the Land Cruiser can now raise and lower its height depending on conditions, lowering at high speeds and raising up when low-ratio is selected. A torque-sensing limited slip differential is the brains behind the four-wheel-drive ability, usually employing a 40/60 split front to rear of power, but up to 70 per cent of reaction can be supplied to the rear wheels when needed. The transfer shift system is worked using a simple rotary switch in the cabin and there is also a button to lock or free the centre differential if things get really slippery.
I have saved the real magic until last, though: the V8 under the bonnet. You usually associate V8s with American muscle cars, but this time it's a diesel and it is superb. This is the first time common rail technology has been seen in an eight-cylinder engine and there is also a twin-turbo for added grunt. Stamp down your right foot and 286 raging horses respond, unleashing 40 per cent more power than the previous 4.2-litre six-cylinder diesel. Almost more significant is the 650Nm of torque which leaves your stomach in the back seat every time you put your foot on the accelerator.
Bearing in mind that this weighs about the same as a bungalow, the performance is astonishing. It takes just 8.2 seconds to get to 100km/h and, left unchecked, 210km/h comes not too long after. What is also surprising is the agility this mammoth beast has. The new suspension is genius, tightening the SUV up and cowering it down as it approaches a fast bend. The six-speed transmission shifts seamlessly between gear, and in terms of comfort, you may as well be sitting in an armchair.
If I had a gripe, it would be that the steering feels a little dead and, when you are negotiating such a massive vehicle, it's nice to know what the wheels are doing. Parking should be tricky, but the colour reversing camera makes it a whole lot easier. Just be careful of narrow two-way streets, as you could cause oncoming drivers to panic slightly when they see you coming.
The natural question has to be if this would persuade Range Rover owners out of their steeds, and turn the heads of Audi Q7 owners. In a way, I hope it doesn't. The Range Rover has become the default choice for anyone who has earned a large sum of money over the last five years, and fair play. The Q7 is fast becoming the same. The Land Cruiser V8 is a different beast altogether.
The Toyota badge might not be posh enough for the Range Rover, Audi or Mercedes-Benz sort, but let them have their fun. The V8 is reserved for anyone who wants to quietly celebrate their success. It is unashamedly big, I will grant you that, and it has no conscious regarding the environment.
But it is exquisite. It is a masterpiece of engineering that looks, and feels, indestructible.
Engine: 4461cc V8 diesel engine putting out 286bhp @ 3,600rpm and 650Nm of torque @ 1,600-2,800rpm. Six-speed automatic.
Specification: Standard features include 20" alloy wheels, electric windows, electric and heated door mirrors, remote central locking with keyless entry, four-zone automatic air conditioning, eight-way seat adjustment, memory seat position function, map navigation system, disc autochanger, iPod dock and touch screen audio, refrigerated box, smart entry, multi info display, electrically adjustable tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery with additional leather, multi-terrain ABS brakes, 14 airbags, parking distance sensors, electronic traction control, stability control.
FactfileToyota Land Cruiser
V8 CC: 4461 V8 0-100km/h: 8.2 secs Max speed: 210km/h Bhp: 286 Fuel: 10.2l/100km (27.6 mpg)
L/100km (MPG): Urban: 12.0 (23.5); extra-urban: 9.1 (31.0); combined: 10.2 (27.6)
CO2 emissions: 270g/km (Band G - 36 per cent VRT post-July 1st)
Annual road tax: €1,491 (Until July 1st)
Price: €126,400