At the revealing of the Land Cruiser 250 and 70, Toyota reveals a silhouette of the mysterious compact SUV. The new model is reported to be the new mini Land Cruiser, which will be similar in size to the Corolla Cross. If media reports are to be believed, the new SUV is most likely to be unveiled sometime in 2024.
Interestingly, Toyota Japan has trademark the name “Land Hopper” in Japan. The teaser reveals that the compact SUV’s silhouette is reminiscent of the early Land Cruiser and the FJ Cruiser. It will be s scaled down version of the Land Cruiser 250, featuring the traditional styling elements including the round headlamps. The new SUV is likely to feature tailgate mounted spare wheel, which are no longer offered on the Land Cruiser 250.
Japanese media reports that the Mini Land Cruiser will be designed and developed on the GA-F body-on-frame chassis that underpins the 300- and 250-Series Toyota Land Cruisers, the Sequoia SUV, the Tundra and the Tacoma pickups, and the new Lexus GX. It is also reported that the SUV could be offered with electric & strong hybrid powertrains along with Internal Combustion Engines. To accommodate an all-electric powertrain, Toyota engineers will have to make significant changes to the platform.
Previous reports claim that the new mini Land Cruiser will measure around 4351mm in length, 1854mm in width and 1880mm in height. It will be around 127mm shorter than the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross; however, the off-roader will be around 51mm wider and 254mm taller. The mini LC looks similar to the “Compact Cruiser EV”, a mock-up model of which was unveiled at the “Battery EV Strategy Briefing” held in December 2021.
The mini Land Cruiser is expected to feature a turbocharged 1.5-litre hybrid, the 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engines that powers the global Corolla Cross. The SUV is also likely to get a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder hybrid engine from the RAV4, and the 2.8L turbo diesel from the Hilux pickup. Toyota is also working on a new 2.7-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which could also power the mini Land Cruiser.
A latest media report claims that Toyota is also considering a mini Land Cruiser for the Indian market. The new model is likely to be introduced as a CKD unit. The company is also developing a new 3-row mid-sized SUV, which will rival the likes of the Hyundai Alcazar, Mahindra XUV700 and the Tata Safari. This model will share the platform with the Innova Hycross and could be called the Corolla Cross LWB or 7-seater.
