All-New V8-Powered Toyota Land Cruiser Makes World Premiere at 1998 Chicago Auto Show
4 February 1998
All-New V8-Powered Toyota Land Cruiser Makes World Premiere at 1998 Chicago Auto Show
CHICAGO, Feb. 4 -- The all-new 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser today
made its world premiere at the 90th annual Chicago auto show. A staple in
Toyota's American lineup for forty years, the 1998 Land Cruiser powers its way
to the top of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment with a blend of all-
around performance, engineering refinement, technical innovation and passenger
comfort and convenience unsurpassed in the industry.
It is larger, heavier, structurally more solid and substantially more
powerful than its predecessor. Yet it delivers improved fuel efficiency,
lower emissions and considerably quicker, more responsive acceleration. It is
longer and wider, with slicker aerodynamics and major improvements in towing
and cargo capacities.
"It drives smoother and significantly quieter, steers more precisely, and
handles the back roads with more balance," said Dave Illingworth, senior vice
president and general manager, Toyota Division, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS),
U.S.A., Inc. "Yet it is most at home pounding over washboard trails, yanking
itself out of deep mud bogs, or clawing its way up crumbling granite paths.
In short, the Land Cruiser packs the credentials befitting the title 'King of
Four-Wheel Drive.'"
The '98 Land Cruiser is the fifth-generation in the series and the first
all-new Cruiser since 1991. It is also the first Toyota vehicle of any type
to be powered by a V8 engine.
POWERTRAIN
The all-new 4.7-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 is based on the engine used in the
Lexus LS 400 series. The new engine was designed to provide a level of
performance superior to any competitor in the luxury SUV class, especially in
the area of low- and mid-range torque. Additionally it was designed to
deliver a new level of quietness of operation and best-in-class fuel
efficiency, while meeting California's strict Low Emission Vehicle (LEV)
standard. This was accomplished while maintaining the high reliability and
durability that was synonymous with the Land Cruiser heritage.
The engine produces 230 horsepower, 18 more than last year's inline six-
cylinder, and 320 pounds-feet of torque, an improvement of 45 over last year.
It will power the Cruiser from zero-to-60 in 9.9 seconds, an improvement of
more than two seconds in preliminary testing. It also will be certified as a
low emission vehicle (LEV) by the California Air Resources Board, with a
significant reduction in hydrocarbons.
Finally, preliminary fuel economy estimates for the new V8 are 14 city and
16 highway. These numbers are an improvement from last year; a significant
achievement, considering the extent of chassis reinforcement and resultant
increase in overall weight.
CHASSIS, SUSPENSION AND BODY
As significant as is the addition of the new V8 engine in establishing the
Land Cruiser's benchmark credentials, the extensive re-design of the vehicle's
chassis is even more important. The initial development goal was to improve
frame strength and reduce flex to a level superior to that of the Range Rover.
Engineers not only achieved this goal, but actually improved overall
structural rigidity by 50 percent over the previous generation, to a level
that is second to none among all SUVs.
The benefits enjoyed by building such a solid platform are numerous. They
include:
* A significant reduction in overall NVH
* Increased crash worthiness
* Improved ride comfort, both on and off-road
* Improved impact isolation
* Improved durability
* Improved precision of movement of suspension and steering components
In order to improve both highway and off-road ride quality, Land Cruiser
features an independent torsion bar front suspension. An independent front
suspension (IFS) as large as the Cruiser's requires the ability to move with
much more precision than a typical solid beam axle. This precision was
provided by the significant strengthening and reduced flex of the new chassis
design.
The Cruiser's IFS provides a huge improvement in highway ride comfort,
handling, steering precision and NVH reduction ... over the previous
generation's rigid axle.
Not only does this new IFS provide exceptional refinement to the Cruiser's
highway performance, it was designed to actually improve the vehicle's off-
road capabilities, long considered the best in the full-size SUV segment.
The Cruiser's rigid axle rear suspension remains nearly identical in
design to the previous generation, with a few important refinements.
The rear control arm and shock absorber bushing were redesigned to improve
ride comfort by limiting the twisting effect on the control arm bushing.
Additionally, the suspension stroke was increased and the rear axle housing
strengthened. The result is a suspension system of unique refinement and
precision. It is as comfortable, compliant and controlled off-pavement as it
is on the highway, with a level of durability and reliability that even
surpasses the previous generation.
The Land Cruiser will again feature a full-time, two-speed four-wheel
drive system linked to a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The
full-locking differential system will again be offered as an option. However,
due to the adoption of the IFS, the front differential locker will be
discontinued.
With the selector switch set in full lock mode and the transfer case set
in low-range four-wheel drive, the system will split torque evenly front-to
rear, with the rear wheels turning precisely in unison at the same speed ...
and the front wheels biasing torque according to individual wheel traction.
Equally impressive is the Cruiser's all-new ABS system, which now will be
operational even in low-range four-wheel drive while the center differential
is locked. The new system will determine road conditions according to changes
in vehicle acceleration and road roughness. As road roughness increases, ABS
influence will decrease. The system will also determine the slope of the
road. As the slope increases, ABS influence decreases. The system is
designed to enhance off-road braking performance, allowing ABS control on poor
traction surfaces, while avoiding early activation on steep slopes.
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
The Cruiser's interior underwent a complete transformation for 1998, with
special emphasis on comfort, roominess, utility and luxury appointment. The
interior length and width were increased considerably for improved passenger
comfort and cargo storage. Front seat slide was increased by nearly two
inches and rear leg room by nearly three inches at the number two rear seats.
Door openings were enlarged for easier ingress/egress, and the luggage area
opening has been enlarged to improve the ease of cargo loading and unloading.
Storage space was improved dramatically. Cup holders are provided in the
front and rear of the console box and in the third seat quarter trim areas
when equipped with an optional third seat. An overhead console offers three
storage boxes plus an eyeglass/garage opener compartment. Pockets are
provided in front and rear door trims, and there are separate compartments for
tools and jack and first aid kit.
Crash worthiness and occupant safety was a high priority with the new
Cruiser. The use of nine cross members instead of six, increased structural
integrity. The chassis side rail tips are now made into axial-compression
type collapsible zones to ensure excellent energy-absorption characteristics.
Occupant safety is further enhanced with the inclusion of:
* Driver and passenger-side air bags
* Headrests and three-point belts for the middle-seat center passenger
* Seat belts equipped with a pretensioner and force limiter for the front
seats
* The extensive use of head impact protection in roof and pillars
Making the most of the Land Cruiser's wide cabin space, the instrument
panel was designed for ease of use and legibility, while conveying a
prestigious, upscale feel. Standard equipment includes:
* A manually adjustable steering wheel
* Power adjustable front seats
* Power windows, door locks and heated outside mirrors
* Air conditioning with climate control
* 3-in-1 AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo sound system
* 12-volt power outlets in the center cluster, rear console and rear
quarter trim
* Engine immobilizer
* Cruise control
Available options include:
* Power moon roof
* Locking differential system
* Leather seating surfaces
* Roof rack
* Third seat with power swing out rear quarter windows
Color And Trim
An array of new colors are offered on the 1998 Land Cruiser. In addition
to Black, the lone carryover color, new colors include Natural White, River
Rock Green Metallic, Champagne Pearl, Mahogany Pearl, Desert Bronze, Imperial
Jade Mica and Atlantis Blue Mica. Land Cruiser's exterior is further
complemented by new color coordinated bumpers available in Light Grayish Beige
Metallic, Medium Gray Metallic and Dark Taupe Metallic. Coordinated interior
colors include Gray and Oak and are available in leather or cloth fabric.
Limited Warranty
Toyota's 36-month/36,000-mile basic new-vehicle limited warranty applies
to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional
60-month limited warranties cover powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion
perforation with no mileage limitation. Toyota dealers have complete details
on the limited warranty.
SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.