All new Land Cruiser arrives in the UAE

The launch took place in the prestigious setting of the Four Seasons Golf Club, at Dubai Festival City.

Joining the many representatives of the UAE's media who attended were Simon Frith, the new Managing Director; Tony Barlow, Senior General Manager of Sales & Marketing; and Gavin Crabbe, Marketing Manager.

Simon Frith commented, 'The legendary and iconic Land Cruiser has been taming and conquering the most challenging terrains throughout the world for over 50 years. It has become an important part of the lives of people in over 127 countries, and often the people they rely on, rely on the Land Cruiser. Here in the UAE, it has become part of the land's history and development, and part of the very fabric of life. As our advertising states, the Land Cruiser can rightly claim to be 'The Pride of the Land'.

'The all new Land Cruiser 200 marks the next chapter in this remarkable story, and is a continuing symbol of strength, durability, reliability, and unrivaled offroad driving performance. This new Land Cruiser has been tested in the very harshest driving conditions throughout the world, including here in the UAE. We know it will continue to live up to its legendary position as the definitive and aspirational SUV.'

Reviewing the pivotal position of the Land Cruiser in the auto market, Tony Barlow commented that,

'By our estimation, the UAE auto market year-to-date has grown by around 30% over the same period last year. Following on the back of a 2005 increase of 35%, and a 2006 increase of 25%, the trend is clearly one of continuing healthy growth, reflecting the buoyancy of the UAE economy.'

The SUV market in 2007 accounted for 26% of the total UAE auto market. The SUV segment is made up of three sub-segments - Small, Medium and Large. The Large segment, in which the Land Cruiser competes, accounts for 6% of the total auto industry, and 21% of the SUV segment.

Tony Barlow commented that, 'Despite being in its run-out year, the current generation Land Cruiser has remained the segment leader, taking over half the segment, and out-selling its two nearest rivals combined. This legendary SUV is clearly vital to our business, representing around 21% of our total sales. Its longstanding success has been a critical factor under-pinning Toyota's marketleadership in the UAE. The large body of very loyal and satisfied Land Cruiser owners have chosen other models in the range for the other vehicles in their multi-car households, and have often influenced the brand choices of their children and other family members.

'The Land Cruiser's key benefits have appealed to private buyers and business users. Around 62% of our sales are to private buyers, 10% to government bodies, and 28% to business users. In the business sector, it has been the SUV of choice for oil and construction companies, and of course desert tour companies, who have always been some of its most ardent brand advocates, meeting their very challenging transport needs.'

The Executive Chief Engineer that led the vast team responsible for the development of this new generation Land Cruiser is Hideki Watanabe, who has visited Dubai several times during the development process. He and his team faced a daunting challenge to develop the successor to probably the most legendary SUV ever.

The Land Cruiser globally and here in the UAE has always had a reputation for superior off-road driving capabilities, strength, durability and reliability, combined with interior space and comfort. With the new Land Cruiser, these fundamental core values remain un-changed. Watanabe San's goal was to build on these values by further enhancing occupant safety, ride comfort with low cabin noise, and on-road handling stability. He also wanted the new Land Cruiser to achieve class-leading performance in three key areas: in delivering cutting-edge and useful off-road technologies, delivering advanced air-conditioning performance and comfort, and providing engines with the optimum combination of power, economy and low emissions.

The all new Land Cruiser's exterior styling conveys an impressive and commanding presence. Beneath its elegant body it has a new, full-frame platform which provides torsional rigidity that is 1.4 times stronger than the prior model, and flexing rigidity that is 1.2 times stronger, through the use of high-tension steel sheets and large profile side rails, combined with a reinforced drivetrain. The frame and body integrate to provide class-leading strength, durability and off-road performance, inherent attributes of the Land Cruiser DNA.

Luxury and refinement are hallmarks of the new Land Cruiser's spacious interior, which combines the functionality of a genuine 4x4 with the comfort of a luxury passenger SUV. Impressive space and high-quality materials provide a welcoming and first-class environment.

Comfortably seating up to 8 passengers, the Land Cruiser has three versatile individual rows of seats, which can be quickly and easily re-configured to meet a wide range of passenger and cargo-carrying needs.

The second row of seats features a seat-slide mechanism, which provides increased legroom for the second and third row passengers. The overall interior space has been increased significantly and increased headroom allows even tall passengers to sit comfortably in the first and second rows. Easy passenger access to, and exit from, the rear seats is enabled by the 60:40 split configuration of the second row seats. Maximising luggage space is easy by tumbling down the second row seats and folding up the third row seats laterally.

Setting new standards in user-friendly functionality, the commanding central console has an advanced design and a large display navigation system. The push-button engine start and Smart Key entry system provide added convenience. The new Land Cruiser has the world's most advanced air-conditioning system, with independent temperature controls for four zones, and 28 air outlets. This ensures class-leading cabin comfort for driver and passengers in extremely hot and humid conditions, so that they arrive at their destination relaxed and refreshed.

The all new Land Cruiser continues the long-standing Toyota promise of providing an exceptionally safe driving environment for the driver and passengers. Its high-strength body is designed to provide outstanding impact absorption performance, and is as strong as it is stylish. Best-in-class collision protection for passengers comprises Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags and knee airbags. SRS side and curtain shield airbags provide additional protection for the first and second row passengers.

The new generation Land Cruiser is available with three responsive engines, which have been developed to deliver the optimum combination of performance, driving pleasure, and low emissions. Firstly, there is the 4.0 litre V6 petrol engine, which by incorporating VVT-i technology and being smaller and lighter, delivers 20% better fuel efficiency. This engine delivers 240HP at 5200 rpm, an increase of 16% (33HP) over the previous 4.5 litre engine.

Compact, yet remarkably powerful, the 4.7 litre V8 petrol engine also now incorporates VVT-i technology, providing excellent low-end torque and smooth acceleration. It delivers 271HP at 5,400 rpm, an increase of 19% (43 HP) over the previous 4.7 litre engine. The two petrol engines are mated with smooth, responsive 5-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

The previous 4.2 litre diesel engine has been replaced by Toyota's first-ever 4.5 litre V8 DOHC diesel engine, which has a third generation common-rail system and twin turbos, that deliver impressive power, fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions. The 5-speed manual transmission delivers 217 HP at 3600 rpm, and the new 6-speed Super ECT auto transmission delivers 232 HP at 3200 rpm. The dual fuel tank system greatly extends the Land Cruiser's driving range and the ability to explore far afield in challenging terrains.

To provide class-leading off-road driving performance and driver confidence, the all new Land Cruiser features several cutting- edge and useful off-road technologies. The Multi-Terrain ABS system is a worlds' first, reducing braking distances by up to 32% on sand and loose gravel.

The Crawl system is also a world's first. On challenging loose or rocky surfaces requiring sensitive brake and accelerator control, this innovative system manages both pedals, maintaining a constant low crawl speed, enabling the driver to concentrate on the terrain ahead. The system minimizes wheel-lock and spin, enhancing vehicle stability and the capability to free the vehicle from difficult spots, such as being stuck in deep sand.

Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) is new to the GCC, and is an innovative suspension technology that provides both on-road stability and a long suspension stroke and articulation for off-road exploring. Front and rear stabilizers are linked by a hydraulic pressure system, suppressing any roll occurring on-road, while ensuring free wheel-stroke off-road, providing superior stability and confidence in all driving conditions.

The newly developed torque-sensing Torsen Limited Slip Differential is a first in this segment, optimizing the front and rear torque distribution and providing improved traction, stability and driving pleasure. Downhill Assist Control enables steady and careful descent of steep inclines by automatically applying brake pressure, for added confidence.

Hillstart Assist Control contributes to smooth hillstarts by automatically applying brake pressure to hold the vehicle stationary whenever roll-back is detected. These innovative and advanced technologies enable the new Land Cruiser to navigate the most challenging terrains with complete driver and passenger safety and peace of mind.

Tested and proven in the harshest driving environments around the world, these advanced features allow the Land Cruiser driver and their passengers to explore with a confidence and pleasure that no other vehicle can match. Not only will the new Land Cruiser get its occupants to the most inaccessible destinations, but it will get them back home safely too.

There are 19 models in the new Land Cruiser line-up, providing customers with a wide choice to meet their particular motoring needs.
Simon Frith concluded that, 'Drivers in the UAE have been eagerly awaiting the launch of the all new Land Cruiser, and once they experience it, I am confident that they will agree that the wait has been well worth it. This vehicle marks a new chapter in the Land Cruiser legend, sets new bench-mark standards for premium SUVs, and will further reinforce our market-leadership in the Large SUV segment.

'It is the flagship model in the Toyota range, and certainly the 'Pride of Al-Futtaim Motors' as well as the 'Pride of the Land'. We already have a vast bank of customer orders for the new Land Cruiser, and we are working closely with the Toyota Corporation in Japan to ensure that we have the vehicle supply to fulfill this exceptional demand.'