300 series rumors???

[Angelo1]

I just got word from Toy. Corporate...the 400 series will have wings and fly. I might hold out for that one.

Oh yeah,since it doesn't need a driver, it comes with a beer tap for us Dads who get stuck carpooling everyone to the damn mall. We can just sit in the rear seats reclined, watch a movie while sipping our favorite Beer.

 

[linuxgod]

sit in the rear seats reclined, watch a movie while sipping our favorite Beer.

I believe that option is standard on the Rolls Royce Phantom.

No need to wait for the 400 - you know you could just put beer in the cooler box in the 200 and have the wife drive you around, right?

 

[Angelo1]

I believe that option is standard on the Rolls Royce Phantom.
View attachment 1314988
No need to wait for the 400 - you know you could just put beer in the cooler box in the 200 and have the wife drive you around, right?

Now all I need to do is sell the house and move into the car.

 

[onemanarmy]

Slim the body down. Easy to take off 500 lbs from the current whale
slightly smaller V8
keep the robust underpinnings
offer a 'poverty' pack
focus on longevity/ease of maintenance (after all, it is the Land Cruiser and many will be worked hard all over the world)
no air suspension
rear locker
as few air bags/nanny driver aides as possible
Focus on carrying the legendary name/reliability forward
but that is if they keep importing them to the US. Sure, they may make money, but how much really? If they only profit, say, $1 million on the LC line, that is not really worth the time and effort at a multi billion dollar corporation.

 

[jamesg]

We could add choices too; such as the 70 series.

 

[onemanarmy]

well we for sure won't get that, or anything like it that hasn't been crash tested, has 6 airbags, a backup camera, lane departure warning, etc.

The 70 series wasn't designed from the beginning to meet our over lords demands.

 

[Canyonero]

Slim the body down. Easy to take off 500 lbs from the current whale
slightly smaller V8
keep the robust underpinnings
offer a 'poverty' pack
focus on longevity/ease of maintenance (after all, it is the Land Cruiser and many will be worked hard all over the world)
no air suspension
rear locker
as few air bags/nanny driver aides as possible
Focus on carrying the legendary name/reliability forward
but that is if they keep importing them to the US. Sure, they may make money, but how much really? If they only profit, say, $1 million on the LC line, that is not really worth the time and effort at a multi billion dollar corporation.

I must admit I'm curious on how you think Toyota can easily trim 500lbs off the LC.

 

[onemanarmy]

-tighten the sheet metal
-trim the miles of wire/radio amplifiers/speakers
-trim the MASSIVE (plastic cladding) bumpers
-just reduce the overall size (for some reason, every new generation of car is longer, wider, more bulky)
-add some Aluminum bits, hell, make the whole body out of aluminum, it worked for the F150 without a price increase. I think all of us would like the idea of a Toyota that doesn't rust
-I can't imagine the thick sound insulation and heated/cooled seats and cooled center console are featherweights
-and thats just the low handing fruit.
-Give me the CAD and design files and lets get started
From Wiki:
80 series: 4600-4700 lbs
200 series: 5300-6000 lbs (I'd wager the US version is the 6000 lb version)
So there is obviously room to work.

 

[nuclearn8]

I know nothing but if Toyota did the following I'd get off the fence and jump in for a new LC300 in the US market

- Aluminum or composite body panels (no good reason these should be something heavy that rust)
- Make improvements to the oem suspension (if the Tacoma TRDP that costs 40,000 can come with internal bypass fox shocks then a Land cruiser surely has some meat on the bone for suspension improvements)
- Convert from cast wheels to forged wheels as standard equipment (reducing unspung weight will help driveability and improving the strength of the wheel at the same time is a no brainer for their flagship offroad SUV)

I don't care so much about the engine/ tranny combo as I know whatever they put in it will be bulletproof. Simply put Toyota cannot afford to screw up the Land Cruiser reputation around the world.

 

[Chocolate]

I know nothing but if Toyota did the following I'd get off the fence and jump in for a new LC300 in the US market

- Aluminum or composite body panels (no good reason these should be something heavy that rust)
- Make improvements to the oem suspension (if the Tacoma TRDP that costs 40,000 can come with internal bypass fox shocks then a Land cruiser surely has some meat on the bone for suspension improvements)
- Convert from cast wheels to forged wheels as standard equipment (reducing unspung weight will help driveability and improving the strength of the wheel at the same time is a no brainer for their flagship offroad SUV)

I don't care so much about the engine/ tranny combo as I know whatever they put in it will be bulletproof. Simply put Toyota cannot afford to screw up the Land Cruiser reputation around the world.

Considering steel wheels are standard for the Cruiser in many locations, I wouldn't expect forged wheels as standard equipment. If anything it would be a pricey extra cost option.

Yes on the first two. There is surely a market for a TRD Pro LC with warrantied upgrades right from the factory.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I could see a TRD Pro package happening

 

[teleskier]

This is a USA problem. I still cannot figure out why the LX570 and Land Cruiser are both luxury, both expensive, and both moving away from off road capability/durability and similarly priced (>$85k category). Just silly. I understand the tariffs on diesel are high, but why then simply "relegate" the cruiser to a luxury truck? The monitors in the back seat and non-removable seats are simple reminders that the designers of these 2 vehicles destined for the US are not targeting different buyers. I still want a 200, but am faced with common-sense choices.

I am in the market for a truck that has a 3rd row, and can tow greater than 8500 pounds. The diesel excursion is gone, diesel suburbans are gone, and no manufacturer is going that way. Currently, my options are Ford Expedition, Tahoe>Escalade GMs, and Infinity QX80, and the 200 series - but barely. The GM and ford vehicles have fold down 3rd row, better efficiency, and are cheaper. Even the QX is almost 20k less than the Cruiser, but is f-ugly. I think people are craving a capable truck with some tough bones... in Austin there are 60 series, 40 series, G-wagons, and defenders I see almost every day - everyone seems to want one if they could. The JF cruiser did not fit this image, either.

I know it is unlikely, but if they could put a high torque diesel V8 in a body on frame LWB SUV with some reversion of the body towards less plastic at the impact areas (bumpers) and some non-round 90's leftover bubble styling (they did it with the 4runner) and reduce the price to <60k or even $70k, I bet they would sell like crazy. The G-wagon is 0ver 100k and less capable, but has these leftovers and seem to be more and more of them on the road than I ever remember. Ford got 10k+ towing out of a V6 and 20+MPG.

Wish List:
Turbo v8 diesel
10k towing
Fold flat seat rear cargo
Optional captain seats in rear
On-demand 4wd
More tire-wheel clearance (for lifts/tires) or increased offset
Seam at rear bumper so it can be replaced or modified for trail.
Lower bumper seam at front
Panoramic roof glass option (why not)
TRD/trail/aggressive styling (a la 4runner)
Maintain fold down tailgate

Don't get me wrong - I still want a 200, but wishing for a few things!

 

[Angelo1]

This is a USA problem. I still cannot figure out why the LX570 and Land Cruiser are both luxury, both expensive, and both moving away from off road capability/durability and similarly priced (>$85k category). Just silly. I understand the tariffs on diesel are high, but why then simply "relegate" the cruiser to a luxury truck? The monitors in the back seat and non-removable seats are simple reminders that the designers of these 2 vehicles destined for the US are not targeting different buyers. I still want a 200, but am faced with common-sense choices.

I am in the market for a truck that has a 3rd row, and can tow greater than 8500 pounds. The diesel excursion is gone, diesel suburbans are gone, and no manufacturer is going that way. Currently, my options are Ford Expedition, Tahoe>Escalade GMs, and Infinity QX80, and the 200 series - but barely. The GM and ford vehicles have fold down 3rd row, better efficiency, and are cheaper. Even the QX is almost 20k less than the Cruiser, but is f-ugly. I think people are craving a capable truck with some tough bones... in Austin there are 60 series, 40 series, G-wagons, and defenders I see almost every day - everyone seems to want one if they could. The JF cruiser did not fit this image, either.

I know it is unlikely, but if they could put a high torque diesel V8 in a body on frame LWB SUV with some reversion of the body towards less plastic at the impact areas (bumpers) and some non-round 90's leftover bubble styling (they did it with the 4runner) and reduce the price to <60k or even $70k, I bet they would sell like crazy. The G-wagon is 0ver 100k and less capable, but has these leftovers and seem to be more and more of them on the road than I ever remember. Ford got 10k+ towing out of a V6 and 20+MPG.

Wish List:
Turbo v8 diesel
10k towing
Fold flat seat rear cargo
Optional captain seats in rear
On-demand 4wd
More tire-wheel clearance (for lifts/tires) or increased offset
Seam at rear bumper so it can be replaced or modified for trail.
Lower bumper seam at front
Panoramic roof glass option (why not)
TRD/trail/aggressive styling (a la 4runner)
Maintain fold down tailgate

Don't get me wrong - I still want a 200, but wishing for a few things!

I completely agree. Everytime I'm in Austin I see a lot more of the vehicles you're referring to. Question though, how is the Gwagen less capable?

 

[teleskier]

No 3rd row - it is a critical thing for my family. And altough not capability - Reliability/longevity/resale also matter - It is also a heck of a lot more money up front and al along the way.

PS: Just looked it up - can get troop seats for back of g-wagon.

 

[teleskier]

g wagon towing: 7000#

 

[Angelo1]

g wagon towing: 7000#

I look at the G-Wagen as a luxury vehicle if you have a collection of other vehicles. It's a great vehicle if you live in a ski town or in a thick wooded forest and sure wouldn't pull anything with it as the steering is crazy enough on its own. 2018 semi-redesign will change all of that though. 4" wider and I believe 800lbs lighter as well. They are also making a stripped down version to hit the states....called the Professional G, no nav, hand cranked Windows, etc.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Toyota likes to find something that works and sticks with it. The 3rd to 2nd generation Tacoma proved that with only a few things changing.

So my guess would be a more aggressive looking cruiser, but underneath pretty much the same. Body on frame, solid semi-float rear axle with 4-link and a panhard, high mounted double wishbone IFS and big 'ol gears.

Engine will move to an Atkinson cycle since Toyota figured out how to pull exhaust gases out of the cylinders without the benefit of ambient temps that old school atkinson cycle engines had (those all had to be supercharged). They won't do cylinder deactivation, it wasn't good in the 70s with cadillac, it isn't good now with GM (common oil burn issues right now) and it isn't good enough for a LC. Atkinson cycle will have the benefit of a smaller displacement with more usable power.

Trans, front diff, rear axle assembly should stay the same.

Really, I see a tougher/ more athletic looking truck, with a more efficient engine, and an advancement with Crawl control/Multi-terrain select.

Oh, and my guess will be the rear seats with stay the same design. They like putting aux fuel tanks under LCs for other countries, and Toyota isn't going to give that up for some seats.

 

[LXNJ570]

I just traded-in a 2007 Gwagon for a 2015 LC. Prior to that I owned a 2001 LC 100 series and a 2006 LX 100 series. The 100 series were great. The Gwagon was just as capable as any of them if not more. It's only limitation was articulation which wasn't that great but the approach and departure angles, narrow width and three lockers in high or low range made it special. It required a lot of preventative maintance and parts were expensive but was bulletproof and never left me stranded just as my 100 series.

In a way the 200 series and Gwagon are similar products, rich in heritage, built in special factories to high standards, and at the top of each marquees respective suv line up. Both are flawed, both get bad mileage and have limited range (strange for off road vehicles which are expected to operate "off the grid" for periods of time), very heavy and over engineered, with somewhat compromised packaging. I dont think we'll see a G professional in the US just as we won't get a stripped down LC any time soon. It's not where they are positioned in the US.

I do have to say that out of the 100, Gwagon and 200 the 200 is my favorite so far. The Gwagon was tough to live with on a daily basis but it was special and looked "cool" but ultimately the comfort and capability balance of the 200 is much better and I have a 2015 LC I'm sure it more so with a 2016+.

I hope we see more of the same with a 300 series, maybe a little leaner and more efficient but just as reliable, well engineered and dependable.

 

[Angelo1]

I just traded-in a 2007 Gwagon for a 2015 LC. Prior to that I owned a 2001 LC 100 series and a 2006 LX 100 series. The 100 series were great. The Gwagon was just as capable as any of them if not more. It's only limitation was articulation which wasn't that great but the approach and departure angles, narrow width and three lockers in high or low range made it special. It required a lot of preventative maintance and parts were expensive but was bulletproof and never left me stranded just as my 100 series.

In a way the 200 series and Gwagon are similar products, rich in heritage, built in special factories to high standards, and at the top of each marquees respective suv line up. Both are flawed, both get bad mileage and have limited range (strange for off road vehicles which are expected to operate "off the grid" for periods of time), very heavy and over engineered, with somewhat compromised packaging. I dont think we'll see a G professional in the US just as we won't get a stripped down LC any time soon. It's not where they are positioned in the US.

I do have to say that out of the 100, Gwagon and 200 the 200 is my favorite so far. The Gwagon was tough to live with on a daily basis but it was special and looked "cool" but ultimately the comfort and capability balance of the 200 is much better and I have a 2015 LC I'm sure it more so with a 2016+.

I hope we see more of the same with a 300 series, maybe a little leaner and more efficient but just as reliable, well engineered and dependable.

I absolutely agree. The 200 for the total package is tough to beat. I have always loved the G-Wagen since first driving my buddies back in '08. It's the kid in me that wants one, but the family man inside keeps taking over and beats him with a stick.

 

[Hothonda]

Had one - purchased new 2002. 1st year MB brought them in - previous were all Gray market.

Smiling initially but in a short time wished I hadn't purchased. Only salvation was high demand
for used so I didn't lose much. Short story...POS. Electrical problems from day 1. 12 MPG on a good day.