2009 Toyota Land Cruiser Spy Shots

2009 Toyota Land Cruiser

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Toyota ’s big off-roader, the Land Cruiser, underwent a minor facelift in 2005. But now, we’ve spotted a prototype of the next-generation Land Cruiser during secret hot-weather testing in the state of South Australia , in the Australian Outback.

One of the interesting aspects of the vehicle is what appears to be an air or hydraulic suspension which lowers the vehicle when the ignition is turned off, presumably for better entry and exit. The vehicle appears slightly longer, lower, and wider in profile than the current 100 Series Land Cruiser.

Gas engines are sure to be offered, as is a new 4.5-liter common-rail V-8 turbodiesel just introduced by Toyota . In the 70 Series range this engine produces 203 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque from 1200 rpm.

The new Land Cruiser is expected to appear at this fall’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Christa Lehmann / Hidden Image

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