TOYOTA LAUNCHES LAND CRUISER IN JAPAN WITH SPECIAL EDITIONS, UNIQUE ENGINES, AND TONS OF PERSONALIZATION OPTIONS
- New Land Cruiser launches in Japan with unique engines and special edition trims.
- Japanese engines include a turbocharged 2.8-liter diesel with 201 horsepower.
- Plenty of customization options available through Modellista and JAOS.
Toyota has launched the new Land Cruiser in Japan, where it slots in beneath the larger 300 that America has been denied. Sold under the Land Cruiser 250 name in its home country, Japanese customers receive different powertrain options and the choice of two special-edition models at launch. The new special editions, ZX First Edition and VX First Edition, are exclusive to Japan and are limited to 8,000 units.
But before we get into the details of these unique Land Cruisers, let’s take a look at the available engines. Japanese-spec LC250 models are offered with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission or a 2.7-liter gas engine with a six-speed ECT (Electronic Control Transmission). The diesel produces 201 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, whereas the gasoline variant has just 161 hp and 181 lb-ft. Both models send the power to the road via a full-time four-wheel drive system. Thankfully, US customers have up to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft, courtesy of the turbocharged 2.4-liter hybrid.
First Edition Models Are Special
What we don’t have Stateside are the ZX and VX First Edition cars. The ZX First Edition is based on the ZX trim and is paired exclusively with the 2.8-liter diesel motor. This mode gains the round LED headlights, matte black 18-inch wheels, and 265/70 off-road tires.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser First Drive Review: Great Expectations
We drove the Land Cruiser off-road, and while it's impressively capable, we have some questions.The VX First Edition is available with both engine options and receives a model-specific Sand exterior paint paired with Dark Chestnut upholstery. The plusher VX also benefits from synthetic leather door trim, a chrome-trimmed instrument panel, leather upholstery, and ‘First Edition’ interior logos. The VX First Edition also gains Emergency steering assist with lane change assist and front cross-traffic alert, along with a driver monitoring camera.
Plenty Of Customization Options To Choose From
Aside from the special edition models and different engine options, Japanese buyers can also opt for a series of nifty off-roading accessories from JAOS. This includes a front bumper guard, stainless steel front skid plate, and rugged-looking wheel arch trim. Customers can also select from mudflaps, sidesteps, and aftermarket 18-inch wheels for a more off-road-ready look. Toyota has worked with JAOS before, crafting functional items for the Land Cruiser 76.
But if your Land Cruiser is going to be spending more time in the affluent Minato Ward of Tokyo, perhaps Modellista’s flashy styling upgrades will be more to your liking. Toyota’s in-house tuner has created a styling package for the Land Cruiser 250, which includes sportier bumpers front and rear, 20-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and other exterior garnishes. Suffice to say, Japanese customers have more choices when it comes to customizing their LC250s. Pricing for the Land Cruiser kicks off at JP¥5,200,000 ($33,600) and goes all the way up to JP¥7,850,000 ($50,700) for the diesel ZX First Edition. It’s worth noting that this is lower than the cheapest Land Cruiser in the USA, which retails for $55,950 before options.