LandCruiser 300 Series spotted on Melbourne roads

Toyota is expected to launch its all-new 300 Series LandCruiser in the coming months, and official photos showing the production vehicle have been released from overseas. So it’s no secret what the big Cruiser looks like.

This is the first time we’ve seen images of one driving in Australia, as this matte-black wrapped vehicle was snapped on the streets of Melbourne recently.

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Australia is one of the prime countries where Toyota does its research and development of its four-wheel drive vehicles, such as the LandCruiser, Prado and Hilux, and we expect this is a pre-production 300 Series.

Toyota has done a pretty good job of keeping its development vehicles under wraps until now, but as the release date grows nearer and the official images are in the public domain, it is obviously letting its guard down.

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We don’t get a full look at the trailer the Cruiser is towing here, but you can expect Toyota’s engineers would have been testing the new 300 under all sorts of conditions with heavy loads in tow. The current LandCruiser 200 Series has a 3500kg towing capacity and the 300 Series will have to have at least the same.

The 300’s 700Nm, 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel engine and 10-speed automatic transmission would have all been tested at full payload and weight on steep grades and off-road, to ensure it is up to the task ahead of it.

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What’s also interesting about this vehicle is that it is fitted with an alloy bullbar and we expect that this will be a genuine Toyota accessories item. The tow bar would also be specifically developed locally for Australian conditions, as the LandCruiser is a favourite vehicle for those who tow.

We’re expecting more news on the local line-up and pricing of the 300 Series LandCruiser in the coming month, with sales to start in October or November.