Plug-in power for Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series

Australian caravanners could soon be plugging in their tow vehicles as well as their caravans, with the new-generation Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series just months away from launch.

The much anticipated replacement for the aging 200 Series LandCruiser will feature a range of advanced new V6 engines, according to new media reports in Japan.

Tipped to arrive in Australia next year, followed by the next-gen Lexus LX in 2022, the 2021 LandCruiser 300 Series will reportedly be revealed in July or August with a turbocharged V6 petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.

The last time we reported on the highly-anticipated LandCruiser 300 Series, Toyota Australia confirmed the big 4WD would be fit for purpose, meaning it will continue to offer serious off-roading and towing ability, but wouldn’t say what powertrains will be available here.

The large Toyota SUV will need to at least match the current model's 3500kg towing capacity and new reports suggest it will achieve this thanks to a torque-laden hybrid powertrain based around the Japanese car-maker’s turbocharged petrol V6.

Toyota's luxury arm Lexus currently employs a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid system in its LS 500h and LC 500h models, but their 264kW power and 350Nm torque outputs would not be enough to tow more than three tonnes.

Instead, if the reports from Tokyo are true, a more likely scenario is an electrified version of the 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that already develops 310kW and 600Nm in the LS 500 limousine – the first Lexus with turbo-V6 power.

Of course the new powertrain would easily top the outputs of the 200 Series LandCruiser’s discontinued 234kW/460Nm petrol V8, and should also better the existing V8 diesel’s 200kW/650Nm outputs.

Japanese media is also reporting that a standard, non-hybrid (and cheaper) non-hybrid version of the same turbo-petrol V6 will be offered alongside the hybrid for customers who don't require lots of grunt.

The new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series may also adopt a brand-new six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, giving customers three different V6 powertrain options.

Japan’s Best Car magazine reports that the new model may be slightly shorter than the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series. The current vehicle measures 4990mm long, 1980mm wide and 1945mm high. The new model, says the mag, will be 40mm shorter and 75mm lower but the same width, at 4950mm long, 1980mm wide and 1870mm high.

However, given the vehicle is almost certain to get air-suspension, height measurements will vary.

It's not yet clear if the Aussie-developed KDSS (kinetic dynamic suspension system) will be redeployed or replaced by a newer/different chassis set-up.

Development of the new LandCruiser 300 Series has already taken place in Australia and overseas, with Toyota Australia previously confirming the new LC 300 4x4 will get local engineering input.

Once again the new model will be based on a rugged ladder-frame version of Toyota's latest platform architecture (TNGA), but fitted with more interior and exterior technology.

It's likely the circa 2.6-tonne large SUV will grow in mass, with the adoption of a petrol-electric powertrain and an increase in technical features such as autonomous driving hardware and an uptick in luxury.

The LandCruiser's arch-rival, Nissan Patrol, has never matched the Toyota LandCruiser in terms of popularity in Australia, but it could be facing new rivals in the segment this decade.

The Koreans are now a force to be reckoned with and have confirmed a massive eight-seat, ladder-chassis 4x4 is coming, and it’s likely to wear Hyundai badges first, then Kia badges later.

Also confirmed for Australia is the Hyundai Palisade, another eight-seat large SUV that will seek to convert Toyota LandCruiser Prado owners.

Given prices of up to $130,000 for the outgoing 200 Series, top-shelf versions of the new LandCruiser 300 Series could easily break the $150,000 barrier, which would mean hard-core mud-slinging electric SUVs like the Rivian R1S could also be cross-shopped with the new 'Cruiser.