After unveiling the all-new Land Cruiser 300 Series in June, Toyota announced its official launch today, providing a detailed view of its range, including the flagship GR Sport variant. Instead of focusing on performance figures, the Land Cruiser GR Sport is aiming at even better off-road credentials, combined with a more aggressive exterior design.
Read Also: 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser Loses Weight, Gains Twin-Turbo V6 And New GR Sport Variant
If you are not aware of Gazoo Racing’s naming strategy, here is a quick guide – GRMN (extreme sports models), GR (serious sports models), GR Sport (entry-level sports models), and GR Parts (extra parts).
In the case of the Land Cruiser, Toyota engineers wanted to create a car that was “secure, easy to drive, yet difficult to tire in even the harshest driving conditions”. Thus, the GR Sport variant was developed using feedback from drivers racing in the Dakar Rally, where the Land Cruiser is participating in the production car category since 1995. As a result, the 2023 Dakar Rally onwards, Toyota Auto Body will participate in the race using a vehicle based on the 300 Series GR Sport.
Rugged looks communicating the off-road credentials
Starting with the exterior design, the GR Sport differentiates itself from all the other Land Cruisers thanks to a version-specific bodykit. This includes a redesigned front bumper with “Toyota” lettering and less chrome on the large grille, more vertical side intakes, and unpainted plastic cladding on the lower part with a skid plate.
On the profile, we have 18-inch six-spoke aluminum wheels finished in Mud Grey and black-painted details (wheel-arches, door handles, mirrors, rocker moldings). Finally, it gets a new rear bumper with an aluminum-style skid plate, rear mudguards, and GR Sport emblems all around the car. While we don’t have official data, we expect the bumpers to allow for better off-road angles compared to other variants.
Unlike the luxurious beige color found in the Land Cruiser LX, the interior of the GR Sport combines black and dark red leather, matching the Gazoo Racing’s emblem which is evident in the steering wheel, welcoming graphics on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, smart key, and headrests.
There is also a carbon-weave pattern on the center console, door panels, and steering wheel for a sporty note. As you would expect, the GR Sport retains the practical three-row 7-seat configuration of the Land Cruiser 300 Series.
Available with gasoline or diesel engines
The GR Sport is available with both engine options of the Land Cruiser Range without any performance gains. More specifically there is the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 gasoline unit producing 409 hp (305 kW / 415 PS) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque, and the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 diesel producing 304 hp (227 kW / 309 PS) and an impressive 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. Both engines are mated to a Direct Shift 10-speed automatic transmission which helps with the fuel economy, sending power to all four wheels.
A trick suspension that improves off-road abilities
Standard equipment of the GR Sport includes front and rear electronic differential locks (unlike other variants which only have an optional rear differential lock) which always come in handy off the beaten track. Another cool and exclusive feature is Toyota’s Electronic-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) – an electronically controlled suspension that automatically and independently adjusts the front and rear stabilizers reacting to individual conditions of each wheel.
The E-KDSS system offers increased driving stability in the city and reduces vibrations while further enhancing the off-road credentials. As Toyota describes it, the suspension improves “road-holding performance following jumps at medium to high speeds in undulating sections” so get ready to enjoy some serious air-time.
We shouldn’t forget that the new-generation Land Cruiser is based on a ladder frame that is 20% more rigid than before, combined with elements from the GA-F platform. This allows the 300 Series to weigh 200 kg less than its predecessor, with a lower center of gravity and improved ride quality thanks to the redesigned suspension geometry (double-wishbone front and trailing-link rigid-axle rear). Toyota claims that the 300 Series has the longest wheel articulation of any generation and significantly lengthened suspension stroke which builds expectations for its off-road performance.
The GR Sport is the most expensive trim of the Land Cruiser with pricing in Japan starting from ¥7,700,000 ($70,468) for the gasoline version and from ¥8,000,000 ($73,216) for the diesel. The model will be produced in Toyota’s Yoshiwara Plant in Japan, and it is expected to reach dealers in its home market on August 21-22. Unfortunately, the 300 Series won’t be available in the US, where Lexus will offer its more luxurious sibling – the LX.
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