First off a critique of the current gen.
The thing looks like a 2010 Lincoln Navigator. It's not horrible looking, it's not offensive, it's just okay. The average human being is not going to notice anything as it drives by them on the road. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that but considering that the Land Cruiser is a flagship/halo SUV, I'd say that Toyota has an image problem with this vehicle. The Land Cruiser has been on sale in the U.S. since the 60s, but I'd guarantee you that not even 1 out of 10 people here know what it is. Unfortunately, that's because it is the reality that people driving $85k+ cars want people to know they are driving something that costs $85k+. It does seem Toyota tried to address this image problem by creasing a portion of the sheet metal, spawning a large grille in the front, and then slapping a Lexus badge on it. But then that created another quandary: the Land Cruiser then became its very own competitor. Despite all this, I do think there is a solution (you guys aren't going to like it). If Toyota wants this vehicle to survive (at least in the first-world countries), it's going to have to move upmarket once again.
The Land Cruiser has to go vogue.
The business objective: to re-create an iconic image. The name 'Land Cruiser' needs to become a household name. As it should be. It needs to be distinct, timeless, yet modern, all while paying homage to its past.
The side profile takes heavy influence from the 60-series Land Cruiser.
The rear is still very much Land Cruiser, and take the classic two gate system into the future.
The interior takes big liberties from Toyota's new Century flagship car. Just a nice, simple, upscale layout. A more industrial version of it. Now I know a lot of people don't like the iPad-stuck-on-the-dash trend, but it seems to be selling just fine.
As for the powertrain, since Toyota is a conservative company and tends to extend platforms 10-12 years, the thing has to be future proof and as the industry moves toward electrification, you can expect it to be a hybrid whether you like it or not (even if it isn't executed the way I envision it). I wouldn't mind hybrid version of the Lexus LS500's 3.5TT V6 mated with the 10-speed.
Speaking of Lexus, you may be asking what they would do with the LX if they were to move the Land Cruiser upmarket. (Note: when I say upmarket, I mean upmarket. The Land Cruiser needs to be positioned as a direct competitor with the Mercedes G-class and the Range Rover.) Instead of the Land Cruiser, I think the LX needs to be based off the next-gen Sequoia. This only makes sense since competitors like the Escalade and Navigator and QX80 are all based off of their GM, Ford, and Nissan counterparts. But then that would downgrade the LX compared to the current gen wouldn't it? I don't think so. If they can do something radical with the Sequoia, I think that could be solved as well. I would make the next-gen Sequoia the first ever full-size SUV with unibody construction. As the market shifts toward crossovers, I honestly think this would make economic sense as this would distinguish itself from the competition. Enthusiasts naturally would protest, but we live in a consumer-based market. By switching to unibody, we're looking at best-in-class ride, handling, and interior packaging. And before anyone talks about towing let me just say: if Audi can make a medium-sized crossover with a 7700lbs towing capacity, then a full-sized crossover is theoretically possible with an 8300lbs towing capacity.
LOL I know, looks boring as hell but tell me that wouldn't sell like hotcakes! Not too radical of a change from the current version.
My objective with the LX was to make it as ugly as possible, since it seems that is Lexus's current design philosophy. LMAO, I had to outdo the current version somehow,so I made the front 96% spindle grille.
The thing looks like a 2010 Lincoln Navigator. It's not horrible looking, it's not offensive, it's just okay. The average human being is not going to notice anything as it drives by them on the road. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that but considering that the Land Cruiser is a flagship/halo SUV, I'd say that Toyota has an image problem with this vehicle. The Land Cruiser has been on sale in the U.S. since the 60s, but I'd guarantee you that not even 1 out of 10 people here know what it is. Unfortunately, that's because it is the reality that people driving $85k+ cars want people to know they are driving something that costs $85k+. It does seem Toyota tried to address this image problem by creasing a portion of the sheet metal, spawning a large grille in the front, and then slapping a Lexus badge on it. But then that created another quandary: the Land Cruiser then became its very own competitor. Despite all this, I do think there is a solution (you guys aren't going to like it). If Toyota wants this vehicle to survive (at least in the first-world countries), it's going to have to move upmarket once again.
The Land Cruiser has to go vogue.
The business objective: to re-create an iconic image. The name 'Land Cruiser' needs to become a household name. As it should be. It needs to be distinct, timeless, yet modern, all while paying homage to its past.
The side profile takes heavy influence from the 60-series Land Cruiser.
The rear is still very much Land Cruiser, and take the classic two gate system into the future.
The interior takes big liberties from Toyota's new Century flagship car. Just a nice, simple, upscale layout. A more industrial version of it. Now I know a lot of people don't like the iPad-stuck-on-the-dash trend, but it seems to be selling just fine.
As for the powertrain, since Toyota is a conservative company and tends to extend platforms 10-12 years, the thing has to be future proof and as the industry moves toward electrification, you can expect it to be a hybrid whether you like it or not (even if it isn't executed the way I envision it). I wouldn't mind hybrid version of the Lexus LS500's 3.5TT V6 mated with the 10-speed.
Speaking of Lexus, you may be asking what they would do with the LX if they were to move the Land Cruiser upmarket. (Note: when I say upmarket, I mean upmarket. The Land Cruiser needs to be positioned as a direct competitor with the Mercedes G-class and the Range Rover.) Instead of the Land Cruiser, I think the LX needs to be based off the next-gen Sequoia. This only makes sense since competitors like the Escalade and Navigator and QX80 are all based off of their GM, Ford, and Nissan counterparts. But then that would downgrade the LX compared to the current gen wouldn't it? I don't think so. If they can do something radical with the Sequoia, I think that could be solved as well. I would make the next-gen Sequoia the first ever full-size SUV with unibody construction. As the market shifts toward crossovers, I honestly think this would make economic sense as this would distinguish itself from the competition. Enthusiasts naturally would protest, but we live in a consumer-based market. By switching to unibody, we're looking at best-in-class ride, handling, and interior packaging. And before anyone talks about towing let me just say: if Audi can make a medium-sized crossover with a 7700lbs towing capacity, then a full-sized crossover is theoretically possible with an 8300lbs towing capacity.
LOL I know, looks boring as hell but tell me that wouldn't sell like hotcakes! Not too radical of a change from the current version.
My objective with the LX was to make it as ugly as possible, since it seems that is Lexus's current design philosophy. LMAO, I had to outdo the current version somehow,so I made the front 96% spindle grille.
Blasphemy!!!
