In June, Toyota unveiled its new Land Cruiser 300 Series — a smorgasbord of premium features, new safety tech, and off-roading know-how. There was also a new model mixed in, too, in the form of the GR Sport.
At the time Toyota hadn’t confirmed a raft of details for the new model, other than its visuals. Some outlets had even speculated that it might get a little more power, like other ‘Gazoo Racing’ offersings. Now, Toyota has confirmed the model’s specifications in full, as well as local pricing.
Three variants of Land Cruiser will be offered locally; the VX, VX Limited, and the GR Sport. Each comes exclusively with a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel producing 227kW/700Nm; New Zealand missing out on the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol producing 305kW/650Nm sold in other markets.
Pricing for the trio kicks off at $124,990 for the VX and $138,990 for the VX Limited. The GR Sport represents the local flagship, with a sticker price of $144,990. All prices include on-road costs as part of Toyota’s local haggle-free ‘Drive Happy’ sales philosophy.
The GR Sport’s main attraction has always been its suspension and damping. As previously reported, the GR Sport comes with Toyota’s latest Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, or E-KDSS for short.
Toyota has confirmed that the GR comes with front and rear electronic diff locks as standard. The new E-KDSS automatically and independently adjusts the model’s electronic sway bars according to the terrain each corner is tackling at any moment.
Toyota says the system brings “road-holding performance following jumps at medium to high speeds in undulating sections”, which is something NZ Autocar might have to put to the test one day.
Along with show-jumping, the new system also gives great benefits to stability at all speeds off-road — as highlighted in Toyota’s videos comparing its performance to the last-gen mechanical KDSS package. The stabilisers then lock for on-road driving, for better cornering ability.
This complements a platform that’s 20 per cent more rigid than the outgoing generation, while also being some 200kg lighter. According to Toyota, the model also boasts a lower center of gravity and longer wheel articulation than any Land Cruiser that’s come before it. All of this contacts the road via a set of all-terrain tyres.
Inside, the GR Sport gets unique upholstery. Bold red leather inserts in the seats and highlights on the console and doors gives the off-roader a touch of racy Lexus about it. There’s also GR logos embroidered into the front headrests and in the steering wheel.
While Toyota New Zealand has previously said that the GR Sport would only be offered locally with five seats, new overseas press images show the model with seven seats.
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