2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series: Engine outputs, model range leaked – report

and it appears likely it will adopt turbo diesel V6 power despite speculation from some media outlets an inline six-cylinder diesel from Mazda would be adapted.

The latest round of purported information centres around the new LandCruiser's model line-up in Japan, including standard equipment levels and the long-awaited power and torque outputs for the new Toyota 4WD's six-cylinder turbo diesel and petrol engines.

2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series engine specs

Japanese outlet Creative311 claims the much-rumoured 3.3-litre F33A-FTV turbo diesel engine will take the shape of a V6, and will produce 227kW and 687Nm – a notable increase over the 200kW and 650Nm extracted by the 4.5-litre turbo diesel V8 in the current 200 Series.

The turbo-diesel V6 is said to deliver its power through a 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and a selectable four-wheel drive system.

Creative311 reports a non-hybrid 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 borrowed from the Lexus LS500 (above, codenamed V35A-FTS) will be offered in certain markets (most likely Russia and the Middle East where petrol is more popular), delivering a claimed 309kW and 589Nm through a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

As for a hybrid option, the outlet claims mild- and full-hybrid options won't be available until 2022 at the earliest – and possibly not until closer to 2025 pending further off-road testing.

However, as with the engine outputs listed above, Toyota is yet to officially confirm any information.

It's also claimed a seven-seat interior layout could be exclusive to the diesel variant, with petrol models in other markets said to be five-seat only. How that will affect petrol-electric hybrid models is unclear.

2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series model range

Creative311 reports a total of five LandCruiser variants will be offered in Japan.

Making up the lower portion of the range are entry-level GX, mid-spec AX and high-grade VX variants, which will be offered exclusively with the 3.5-litre petrol V6 and four-wheel drive.

Sitting atop the line-up will be a pair of flagship variants, both available with a choice of petrol or diesel power, but pitched at two different driving environments: the luxury-oriented ZX, and the off-road-focused GR-S, the latter tuned by Toyota's Gazoo Racing performance division.

Whereas the ZX – or Sahara ZX, as trademark filings suggest it could be badged locally – will offer premium 20-inch aluminium alloy wheels, the GR-S will reportedly feature an "off-road-oriented" exterior with large-diameter (likely all-terrain) tyres and smaller 18-inch alloy wheels.

However, the off-road capability will come at a cost, with the Japanese publication reporting prices will start at over 10 million yen (AU$120,000) – about 43 per cent dearer than a flagship LandCruiser 200 Series in Japan.

Apply that increase to Australian pricing and local buyers could be looking at a recommended retail price (before on-road costs) of close to $180,000 – though Toyota is yet to confirm pricing.

If the report proves true, the arrival of a GR-S variant would make the LandCruiser the first vehicle tuned by the Gazoo Racing division for increased off-road capability, rather than on-road performance and driving dynamics.

Expect this model to feature the GR-branded engine start/stop button leaked last week (above).

2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series standard equipment

Across the wider range, Creative311 claims all LandCruiser 300 Series models will be fitted as standard with Toyota's full Safety Sense active safety suite, set to include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist, traffic-sign recognition and automatic high-beams.

Also standard is said to be a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring.

Flagship ZX and GR-S grades will reportedly score genuine leather trim, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with satellite navigation (versus a 9.0-inch unit on lower-spec models), a JBL premium sound system, and a (non-panoramic) sunroof.

It'll also offer a fingerprint authentication system for secure engine starts, a 3D multi-terrain monitor system for navigating off-road trails, and an array of Multi-Terrain Select off-road drive modes – the latter two being evolutions of the systems offered in the 200 Series.

Leaked images and drawings in recent months show the systems will be joined by an array of off-road aids, including locking differentials, low-speed crawling modes, a second-gear start setting for the gearbox, hill-descent control, and the all-important low-range transfer case.

Meanwhile, there is some speculation the new 300 Series LandCruiser could be a heavy reskin of the current 200 Series. Patent drawings show similar proportions between the two vehicles, albeit with slightly different glass areas and new front and rear appearances.

The major reskin could make sense given the significant investment required in new engine development, and the fact that the 200 Series platform is already proven. Toyota is also likely to have used the opportunity to make significant upgrades to the 300 Series underpinnings.

The 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series is due to make its debut later this year, with Creative311 aligning with previous reporting by Drive that the covers will come off on 1 August – the 70th anniversary of the LandCruiser nameplate.

Order books in Japan will reportedly open earlier, on 19 July 2021.