Toyota Land Cruiser Going V6 from V8

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The Land Cruiser 200 is a large 4 wheel drive SUV from Toyota which needs no introduction. Sometimes mistakenly called the “V8” in Pakistan due to the V8 badge on its boot, it will soon be offered in V6 configuration only. 

A recent report from Japan has caught a lot of attention suggesting the next-generation Toyota LC 200 is due for 2020, which is also said to ditch its V8 engine in favour of a twin-turbo 3,5-litre V6 found in Lexus LS Sedan. However, the one in LC 200 will be tuned accordingly. Its also expected that a concept previewing the new Land Cruiser may well be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2019.

(Lexus LS Sedan)

For those of you who don’t know what the V8 engine is – it is basically two parallel inline four engines sharing a common crankshaft. However, this simple configuration, with a flat- or single-plane crankshaft, has vibrations in engines with large displacement. Since the 1920s, most V8s have used the somewhat more complex cross-plane crankshaft with heavy counterweights to eliminate the vibrations. This results in an engine that is smoother, more powerful than a V6 while being considerably less expensive than a V12. One other considerable advantage of V8 engines is that they sound phenomenal and manufacturers have been using them in high-performance cars and off-road vehicles for ages now.

Back to the above mentioned Japanese publication, it also suggests that the new Land Cruiser will have a new ladder frame chassis which will help reduce weight and improved safety credentials as well. Same will be the case with the Lexus LX which has always been a glorified LC200 with just more of everything. Importantly the V6 from the Lexus LS makes 310 kW and 600 N.m is a more powerful engine than the V8 it replaced and keeping in mind the current configurations it’s likely to be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Also, don’t be surprised if Toyota decides to bring a hybrid variant to the LC 200. The Lexus LS and LX both are currently being offered with Hybrid variants and since LS, LX and LC200 all will now share the same engine, so there is a good chance of the new Land Cruiser being offered in a hybrid variant as well.

(Lexus LX Hybrid)

The current-generation 200 model has been in production since September 2007, with the Lexus LX following two months later. Toyota keeps making minor changes to it while a major facelift was launched in 2015. In markets like North America, Toyota offers a 5.7L petrol engine same as Tundra. In countries like South Africa and Japan, the Land Cruiser 200 is available only with a 4 or 5 Litre V8 engine of the same configuration, offering 195 kW and 650 N.m. So the new 3.5L will certainly pack a bigger punch along with returning somewhat better fuel efficiency.

      (Toyota LC 200 2020 Concept)
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