The current 250-series Land Cruiser will soon power into a new era with the adoption of its first electrified powertrain. The new Land Cruiser Hybrid 48V introduces a mild hybrid system to the existing 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine in order to deliver smoother, more comfortable performance. And all without compromising the legendary SUV’s ability to conquer the most challenging of terrains.
All Land Cruiser passenger models supplied new by Toyota GB from the 2026 model year onward will adopt the new Hybrid 48V system. Further details will follow soon, with the first customer cars expected to be delivered from the end of 2025. But this is what we can reveal so far…
The Land Cruiser Hybrid 48V powertrain
Our mild hybrid system – which is already available in Hilux – has been designed for integration into existing powertrains without the need for significant re-engineering. This means its electric motor-generator, 48V lithium-ion hybrid battery and DC-DC power converter work are configured to work alongside the Land Cruiser’s existing 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. These three principal components are designed and positioned to withstand harsh environments, so the hybrid system does not compromise the vehicle’s capabilities.
For example, the motor-generator, which replaces the conventional alternator, is positioned high on the engine block so the vehicle can still wade at slow speed through water up to 700mm deep. It is connected to the crank via a high-strength belt reinforced with aramid fibres and tensioned with a dual-arm system that improves NVH performance. In addition to charging the lithium-ion battery, the motor-generator recovers energy when the driver comes off the throttle in order to help power the engine’s stop-start function and then support forward movement. Notification of the system switching between energy regeneration and power assistance is indicated in the driver’s multi-information display.
As the motor-generator is always connected, engine restarts are quicker and smoother, making for a more comfortable drive in traffic. The system will also maintain brake pressure until sufficient drive torque is generated, a feature that helps to deliver smooth pull-aways on uphill gradients. The driver can also switch between normal and extended idling stop times, in order to maximise the effectiveness of the air conditioning system.
The 48V lithium-ion hybrid battery has 13 cells for a 4.3Ah capacity, and weighs just 7.6kg. Designed with compact internal components, it is integrated beneath a revised deck board layout and therefore limits the impact on overall load space. When fully charged, it can supply up to an additional 12kW (16bhp) of power and 65Nm (48 lb/ft) of torque to the powertrain at start-off. Cooling air for the battery is drawn from the front of the vehicle and filtered along the cooling paths, while fans are additionally used to generate airflow and help prevent a deterioration in battery performance in high temperatures.
Introductory details of the new Land Cruiser Hybrid 48V were correct at the time of publishing,
with all performance data remaining tentative prior to homologation.
The full UK model range and grade specifications will be announced in due course.
Introducing the new Land Cruiser Commercial
Exciting Land Cruiser updates continue with the announcement of a new Land Cruiser Commercial variant, which re-enters the Toyota Professional range of light commercial vehicles as its halo model. It is engineered to provide an attractive option to customers who do not require the load-carrying capabilities or additional seats of the Hilux pick-up, but want serious off-road performance, on-road poise and a wealth of comfort, safety and convenience features as standard.
The conversion process is undertaken at our UK production facility in Burnaston, Derbyshire, and includes removing the rear seats, rendering the rear opaque with interior steel panel inserts, and installing a full-height metal bulkhead with a mesh top section. The resulting load space is practical and hard-wearing with an edge-to-edge floor tray. It measures 1,090mm high, 1,685mm long and a maximum 1,286mm wide, giving a VDA cargo capacity of up to 2,000 litres.
Equipment levels are higher than the previous Land Cruiser Utility Commercial, carrying across many of the advanced technology, comfort and convenience features of the passenger model. This includes its 3.5-tonne towing capacity and a comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense package.
Specification highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, a power back door with opening window hatch, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, electronic parking brake and automatic dual-zone air conditioning. The multimedia system includes a nine-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The new Land Cruiser Commercial will go on sale in August 2024 with the first customer deliveries in September. These early models will adopt the passenger version’s existing 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. Shortly afterward, however, the powertrain will be upgraded to incorporate the new Hybrid 48V system detailed above.
Introductory details of the new Land Cruiser Commercial were correct at the time of publishing,
with all performance data remaining tentative prior to homologation.
The full UK model range and specifications will be announced in due course.
