No time to die

A celebratory makeover and new engines for the Toyota Land Cruiser on its 70th birthday

- MANDAR SAVANT

AFTER A PERIOD OF 14 YEARS, TOYOTA has given their iconic off-roader a complete makeover. Some would say it’s more of a significant facelift of the previous J200 series than an all-new model since the exterior styling is more evolutionary rather than revolutionary. But under the skin it gets a new platform, newly developed V6 engines and is completely revamped. The sixth-generation Land Cruiser features a much more prominent grille, new lighting to and fro and a refreshed tailgate. The frontal area continues to sport a massive grille, which is dripping in chrome, while the headlights have become sleeker and they get L-shaped LED DRLs. There are no changes to the Land Cruiser’s dimensions though and nobody can mistake it to be anything else. The changes are subtle, but they are enough to give the Land Cruiser a more modern look. Toyota’s new real-life Tonka toy is also lighter, more powerful and has an updated interior — still no-nonsense and very practical. One thing that hasn’t changed though is Toyota’s proud claim that it will “go anywhere and everywhere, and bring you back safe and well”. Here’s all the new stuff the folks from Japan have added to make the new Land Cruiser better than ever.

A new chassis and a smart suspension system