The auto dealers near Santa Ana particularly Toyota of Orange revealed that Toyota is still a few months away from revealing the 300-series Land Cruiser showing off a new platform and powertrains. Nevertheless, the Japanese automaker has still made available in some markets the old 70-series model that has been in steady production since 1984, even though there have been updates throughout its existence.
The Land Cruiser’s History
The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest nameplate and has the richest heritage compared to any other vehicle in the lineup. It is undoubtedly an unstoppable off-roader is it is also the Japanese car manufacturer’s most dramatic vehicle.
Toyota has sold over 10 million Land cruisers across the globe, which is no small feat for a vehicle that will turn 70 in a few years’ time.
The Land Cruiser started in 1951 and wasn’t even called a Land Cruiser back then. The vehicle was a product of the Korean War, which created a huge demand for military trucks. The Land Cruiser began its life as the BJ prototype. In its early days, the vehicle would climb more than 8,200 feet on Mount Fuji, showing off its off-road boldness.
In 1953, Toyota updated the off-road vehicle for civilian use and it went into series production. It was only until 1954 that the director of technology Hanji Umehara would rename the vehicle Land Cruiser.
In 1955, Toyota released the second generation Land Cruiser which was also known as the 20 Series. It had a slicked up design and made its way to North America and other markets in large numbers.
In 1984, Toyota launched the Land Cruiser 70 Series to international markets as a replacement to the treasured 40 Series. To make the vehicle even more appealing to customers, Toyota added a Land Cruiser wagon light-duty, creating the small land Cruiser Prado series.
So, that brings us to the Land Cruiser we know today in the United States, the 200 Series. It was first introduced for the 2008 model year, and the Land Cruiser has received many upgrades over the years to extend its life cycle. Not only does it have excellent off-road capabilities, but it boasts a smooth ride on paved roads and a plush interior.
What’s The Link Between Land Cruiser And Electric?
However, customers near Santa Ana auto dealers never thought the day would come that the words Toyota Land Cruiser and electric share the same sentence. Alas, it has and it is the case. We have the folks from the “Land Down Under” to thank for this exciting new innovation. Toyota Australia declared its partnership with BHP, which is Australia’s leading resources company, to do a pilot trial of a converted electric vehicle.
In Australia, the classic Land Cruiser, which is available in SUV and pickup body styles, is a fan favorite with mining companies. It is not surprising to the auto dealers near Santa Ana how popular they are since Land Cruisers boast reliability, ruggedness and the vehicles are very easy to maintain.
To make sure the 70-series Land Cruiser has prospects on a planet with zero emissions, Toyota decided to team up with a mining giant such as BHP to trial a version operating on battery-electric power.
Who Converted The Land Cruiser 70 Series?
The single-cab land Cruiser 70 Series was modified into a battery-electric vehicle by Toyota Australia’s Product Planning and Development division in port Melbourne. So, this is an official vehicle for Western Australia! The converted Land Cruiser is geared for underground mine use, with the trial occurring at a BHP Nickel West mine in Western Australia.
Why Is This Partnership Happening?
It may sound kind of funny to have Toyota Australia and BHP join forces. Be that as it may, this partnership is happening because both want to discover methods on lower-emission even more within their light-duty vehicle fleet. The two companies have been in a strong relationship for the last 20 years and the project is a way to strengthen their connection and show how they can work together to “change the future”.
What Would Be The Outcome?
It is favorable to note, that workhorses such as the Land Cruiser in many areas of the world are usually powered by diesel. If this trial is successful, which means the electric Land Cruiser is proven to be effective as a mining workhorse, it will lower the dependence on diesel, therefore, support in achieving the company’s medium target of lowering operational emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
How Has The Electric Land Cruiser Been Built?
So far, only one prototype of the electric Land Cruiser has been built. It features a pickup body and is configured for underground mine use, where a vehicle with zero emissions is very appreciated and makes a whole lot of sense. The vehicle will be put to use at a nickel mine in the Australian state of Western Australia.
At the moment, Land Cruisers used in the mining industry operate with diesel engines. There isn’t much information on the battery-electric powertrain used in the prototype, but Toyota issued a statement saying that more details will be released in the coming months.
It is no secret that Toyota has been and still is cautious on battery-electric vehicles, on the whole, favoring fuel cell technology instead, it is getting prepared to deploy its first volume of EVs powered by batteries. The first is the C+Pod minicar that goes on sale in Japan this year, while the other is a compact SUV.
When Will The New 300-Series Land Cruiser Be Available?
You should not hold your breathe for the launch of the new 300-series land Cruiser because it probably won’t be sold in the United States. Toyota has decided to launch the Land Cruiser nameplate in the United States after the 2021 model year, even though the carmaker has not stated whether that will be a permanent decision.
On a more positive note, the new Land Cruiser is expected to reproduce a Lexus LX twin that we should see at our local auto dealers near Santa Ana showrooms very soon!