Toyota Land Cruiser 2011

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser remains unique in the market, an iconic and luxurious, full-size SUV imbued with undeniable go-anywhere capability and the safari-conquering spirit of its world-famous forbears.

Photo: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

Also unique is the way the eight-passenger Toyota Land Cruiser has evolved from a basic four-wheel-drive utility vehicle into an upscale vehicle without compromising its roots – and that is the root of its loyal following.

Photo: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

The latest in Toyota’s “connected” and telematics technologies help ensure that the Land Cruiser can provide its driver and passengers with safety, security and convenience.

PerformanceThe Toyota Land Cruiser’s 5.7-liter DOHC V8 engine produces 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. Ninety percent of peak torque is available at just 2,200 rpm, helping make the Toyota Land Cruiser an outstanding tow vehicle. The Land Cruiser uses regular-grade (87 AKI) gasoline and is ULEV-II certified.

Photo: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota V8's advanced dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) system controls valve timing and overlap on both the intake and exhaust valves, which helps to optimize power, fuel efficiency and emissions. The Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS) switches the length of the intake tract in two stages, based on RPM and throttle angle, to improve torque across the engine speed range. Stainless steel exhaust manifolds flow into a full stainless steel exhaust system. A water-cooled oil cooler helps control oil temperature while towing.

The Toyota Land Cruiser’s six-speed automatic transmission is designed to handle high torque while performing with luxurious smoothness. Fourth gear is direct drive, and both fifth and sixth gears are overdrive ratios. The transmission's control unit estimates road conditions to select the appropriate gear ratio for the vehicle's speed and driving conditions. A sequential shift mode allows the driver to select gears manually.

Photo: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

 Capability, Handling and Ride
The Toyota Land Cruiser’s body-on-frame construction provides ruggedness and durability in extreme driving conditions, plus impressive towing capability and ride isolation characteristics. The front of the frame features a three-stage crush structure, so frame damage to other areas of the vehicle is minimized in the case of frontal impact.

The high-mount double-wishbone front suspension system uses gas-pressure shock absorbers, a hollow stabilizer bar, and coil springs. This system provides a high level of off-road driving capability and suspension control while maintaining outstanding on-road driving comfort. Approach and departure angles are 30 degrees and 20 degrees, respectively. At the rear, the reliable and proven four-link, coil-spring with lateral rod format provides a long suspension stroke and also features gas-pressure shock absorbers and a hollow stabilizer bar.

The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) adjusts the lean resistance provided by the front and rear stabilizer bars. KDSS may reduce maximum body-sway angle by as much as 50 percent to help enhance both on-road handling response and off-highway capability. By using hydraulic cylinders acting on each stabilizer bar and linked by a pressure-sensing valve, KDSS reduces the degree of sway stiffness provided by the stabilizer bars in response to changing road conditions and driver inputs.

In off-road driving situations, KDSS allows the wheels on each axle to move with a larger degree of side-to-side independence, helping to minimize any tendency for wheel lift. During cornering, when both front and rear cylinders are compressed, no fluid is flowing in the system, and the stabilizer bars work conventionally to help reduce body lean. When an uneven surface is encountered, one compressed cylinder causes fluid to flow between the front and rear cylinders, allowing the stabilizer bars to move freely. This action increases wheel articulation and travel and also helps to equalize wheel loading. By allowing the stabilizer bars to disengage in certain situations, the nominal stiffness of the bars can be notably increased, thereby reducing body lean and improving handling without negatively affecting ride comfort or off-road performance.

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Toyota Land Cruiser rolls on P285/60 R18 mud-and-snow steel-belted radial tires mounted on 18 x 8.0-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a high-gloss finish (including a full-size spare). The brake system employs 13.4-inch ventilated discs with four-piston calipers up front and 13.6-inch ventilated discs at the rear.

Variable gear ratio power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering requires just 3.1 turns lock-to-lock. Gear ratio is set larger around the steering center and smaller around the end position.

The lightweight, compact transfer case provides full-time four-wheel drive with a low-range 2.618:1 ratio for traversing challenging driving surfaces, such as steep inclines. The system uses a TORSEN® limited-slip locking center differential to distribute power 40:60 front-to-rear, directing more power to the wheels with the best grip should slippage occur. Traction control (TRAC) employs both brake and throttle intervention to help control wheel spin. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), with a cut-off switch, helps maintain directional control during cornering.

The Crawl Control feature helps make traversing difficult terrain easier. With the transfer case shifted into low range, Crawl Control regulates engine speed and output (along with braking force), to propel the vehicle forward or in reverse at one of three low-speed settings. This allows the driver to maintain focus while steering over very rough level ground or steep grades, without having to also modulate the throttle or brake pedals. Crawl Control includes Downhill Assist Control (DAC), which is designed to augment the low-speed ascending ability of low-range by helping to hold the vehicle to a target speed with practically no driver intervention. Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) provides additional control for off-road driving by helping to keep the vehicle stationary while starting on a steep incline or slippery surface.

For towing convenience, the Land Cruiser has a towing connector and sub wiring harness to connect a commercial trailer brake controller.

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SafetyThe Land Cruiser utilizes welded high-strength sheet steel, especially in the A-, B-, C- and D-pillars, and in the rocker area to increase rigidity and reduce weight. The B-pillars are designed to help absorb side impacts and transfer them into the rest of the body structure where they dissipate.

Like all Toyotas, the Toyota Land Cruiser comes standard with the STAR Safety System. A new, four-wheel multi-terrain anti-lock braking system (ABS) automatically selects the optimal ABS profile to provide the most suitable brake force for on- and off-road driving surfaces. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) balances braking forces between the front and rear brakes, while Brake Assist (BA) provides auxiliary force to assist the driver during emergency braking. Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) helps maintain traction during acceleration by controlling engine output and braking forces to the wheel, distributing the drive force that might have been lost to the wheels and tires that have traction. VSC with a cut-off switch, helps maintain directional control during cornering by manipulating engine torque and individual wheel-braking influence if it detects tire slippage.

The new-generation Toyota Land Cruiser features 10 standards airbags: driver and front passenger dual-stage advanced airbags; driver and front passenger knee airbags; front- and second-row seat-mounted side airbags; and three-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags with a roll-sensing cutoff switch.

A direct tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) helps to alert the driver to severe pressure drops in any of the tires, including the full-size spare. A parking sonar system uses ultrasonic sensors on the front and rear bumpers to sense obstacles.

Photo: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

 

All eight seating positions feature three-point seatbelts. Active headrests on the driver and front passenger seats move up and forward almost instantly in the event of certain rear-end collisions to help reduce the distance between the occupant's head and the headrest. An available advanced seatbelt system is designed to retract the front seatbelts when the brakes are suddenly applied or when tire slippage is detected by the VSC system.

Telematics and Connected TechnologyToyota Land Cruiser debuted the Safety Connect™ telematics system for model year 2010, and this helpful feature carries over for 2011. Safety Connect can dispatch emergency responders in the event of certain severe collisions. The system also provides a number of other useful services, including stolen vehicle tracking.

Available by subscription, with or without the optional navigation system, the Safety Connect telematics system offers four safety and security features: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and enhanced Roadside Assistance, which adds GPS data to the already-included warranty-based Toyota roadside service.

In case of either airbag deployment or severe rear-end collision; Automatic Collision Notification is designed to automatically call the response center. If the response agent cannot communicate with the occupants, the agent can contact the nearest emergency-services provider to dispatch assistance.

Pushing the “SOS” button can summon help in an emergency and for a wide range of roadside assistance needs. If a Toyota Land Cruiser equipped with Safety Connect is stolen, the system can help local authorities locate it. The first year of service is included in the new vehicle purchase price.

Photo: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

To better deal with traffic congestion on city streets and highways, the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser has available XM NavTraffic®. XM NavTraffic is part of the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser’s satellite radio feature that includes a 90-day trial subscription to XM® Satellite Radio. The audio system is Bluetooth® compatible and features an auxiliary audio jack and USB port for connecting portable digital music players.

The nation's first satellite-delivered traffic information service, XM NavTraffic enables the Toyota Land Cruiser’s navigation system to display continually updating traffic conditions for the driver’s desired route. In more than 100 markets, XM NavTraffic offers drivers access to critical and customized information, such as traffic congestion, accidents, incidents, road construction, average speed and estimated driving time. All information is compiled using the best, verified national and local traffic data available.

Comfort and ConvenienceWith 28 total air vents, the four-zone climate control system is designed to bathe occupants in comfortable air -- even during extreme heat -- rather than simply projecting streams of cool air at them. For extreme cold situations, the Land Cruiser’s auxiliary positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater warms air instantly by passing it over an electrically heated ceramic element. The system also includes a micro-dust and pollen filter, and seven-level blower control.

Photo: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser comes luxuriously equipped, with standard features that include rear privacy glass, a JBL premium audio system with in-dash six-disc CD changer and 14 speakers; Smart Key keyless entry with push-button start that allows the driver to unlock or start the vehicle by carrying the key; anti-theft security system; engine immobilizer; cruise control; power moonroof; auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors; HomeLink®; steering wheel-mounted audio; heated, power front seats with driver's memory; and power tilt and telescopic steering column with memory.

OptionsThe Toyota Land Cruiser is luxuriously equipped but can be taken to an even higher level with options. These include: rear seat entertainment system, simulated wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, cool box, second-row seat heaters, rear spoiler, rain-sensing windshield wipers and headlamp cleaners.

Exterior DesignThe Toyota Land Cruiser is designed to convey an "Advanced and Rugged" theme with enlarged front and rear fenders. The thick, rectangular grille and headlamps maintain Land Cruiser's steady and confident appearance, while the hood flows gracefully into the grille and beltlines.

Character lines in the front, the area around the rear door handles, and the back door panels suggest strength. Foam-filled A-pillars help reduce wind noise, and a “bifacial” molding between the windshield and the body helps reduce wind noise.

Underbody panels behind the front bumper and extending under the engine and behind the rear wheels are designed to protect the engine and transmission and to help the vehicle traverse rocky terrain smoothly. These underbody panels in addition smooth the airflow under the vehicle to help minimize drag and turbulence.

Interior DesignToyota Land Cruiser seats up to eight, with three-across seating in the second and third rows. The instrument panel features a set of bright Optitron gauges with clear turquoise illumination. Beneath these gauges, a multi-informational display shows gear selection, odometer, tripmeter, fuel consumption, individual tire pressures and cruising range.

Photo: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

The vehicle's center console features a gate-type shifter with sequential shift mode operation, the parking brake, a storage box with several compartments and a removable tray, auxiliary audio jack/USB port and cup holders.

The passenger-side second-row seat features a one-touch tumble mechanism for easier third-row ingress and egress. The second-row seats slide forward and aft 4.1 inches for more passenger comfort and cargo storage versatility. The second row also provides the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child seat attachment system.



Photo: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

Limited WarrantyToyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. Toyota dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.