Toyota Land Cruiser to Undergo Electric Revolution in 2025

No matter how much it resists all elements, without electrification, there is no salvation in France for the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser.

The Land Cruiser is a true automotive emblem of ingenuity and durability, born 73 years ago, on August 1, 1951, under the name Toyota B. Quickly, it demonstrated its power and exceptional performance by becoming the first vehicle to successfully climb up to the sixth station on the slopes of Mount Fuji. The Land Cruiser name was officially adopted in 1954. Since then, this model, now the oldest in Toyota’s lineup, has conquered the world, selling over 10.4 million units across more than 170 countries and regions. A real legend on wheels.

Toyota’s goal with the Land Cruiser remains unchanged: to provide its customers with a vehicle capable of safely taking them to their destination, even in the most hostile environments. The formula is simple with unmatched reliability, exemplary durability, and the ability to face the most extreme conditions. The Land Cruiser is not just a vehicle; it is a benchmark in quality and robustness.

The new generation presented this year stays true to the values of the original model and retains an element that makes it both its strength and its weakness: a Diesel engine. The 2,755 cm³ inline 4-cylinder direct-injection DACT engine develops a maximum power of 205 hp/151 kW at 3,000 rpm and is paired with a new 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. But the Diesel technology mainly gives it a truck-like maximum torque of 500 Nm, allowing it to tow loads of up to 3,500 kg.

But in France, where Diesel equals maximum Malus (penalty), with CO2 emissions of 275 g/km, it unsurprisingly incurs the maximum penalty of €60,000, which is 75% of its starting price in the “Légende” launch version. At €140,000, it’s clear there’s virtually no chance it will sell. So, the only solution for its future is hybridization. Toyota has confirmed a mild hybrid version of the Land Cruiser for Europe in 2025, combining the 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine with a 48V electric motor-generator, a compact lithium-ion 48V battery, and a stop & start system. This setup should allow it, at least partially, to escape the penalty while maintaining the ability to handle extreme conditions. The next step to maintaining a robust powertrain is well known: transition to a 100% electric powertrain with a project already in development. But a legend over 70 years old doesn’t rush!

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