LC300 wading depth, approach and departure angles, towing, locking diffs and tyre specifics confirmed! What you REALLY need to know about the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series

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More LC300 details have been revealed.
Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
11 Jun 2021
3 min read

Yesterday's Toyota LC300 reveal was filled with all the usual marketing carry-on - lots of images of the LandCruiser 300 cresting sand dunes, but not much in the way of nitty-gritty detail when it comes to the important stuff.

But worry not, because Toyota in New Zealand has spilled the beans on everything we - and we presume you - want to know, from the off-road specifics to the type of rubber used and everything in-between.

So let's get stuck in, shall we?

First, what did we already know? The new 300 Series scores a twin-turbo V6 petrol producing 305kW and 650Nm, and which pairs with a 10-speed automatic.

But New Zealand isn't even taking that model, and we suspect Australia, too, will stick exclusively with a diesel line-up, and that means a newly developed 3.3-litre twin-turbo-diesel V6 that produces 227kW and 700Nm, and pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission - a sizeable jump over the 4.5-litre V8's 200kW and 650Nm.

We've been given fuel-use estimates, too. While the V8 required 9.5L/100km on the combined cycle, Toyota says the new model will shave around 10 per cent off that number, meaning fuel use of around 8.5L/100km.

"Amazingly, the engineers have extracted more power from less. We have lost two pistons but have gained power and torque," says Toyota New Zealand General Manager of New Vehicle Sales and Product Planning, Steve Prangnell.

All of which we found out yesterday, but digging deeper into Toyota New Zealand's product briefing unearths lots of new info we were waiting on.

Describing the LC300's 4X4 capability as "total", Toyota NZ says the new model will offer a wading depth of 700mm, ground clearance of 235mm, an approach angle of 32 degrees and a departure angle of 25 degrees.

"There are times when you just need a big strong diesel engine, a ladder chassis, and a terrific four-wheel drive system. The new Land Cruiser 300 has all those attributes and more," the document reads.

The GR Sport model is also fitted with Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, Adaptive Variable Suspension, four Drive Modes (Sport S, Sport S+, Comfort and Customise), and is fitted with lockable front and rear differentials.

All LC300 models will ride on Dunlop Grand Trek AT30 rubber - from the same family as the tyres fitted to the LC200 - with the VX and GR Sport trims getting 18-inch wheels, and the top-spec VX Limited getting 20-inch wheels.

For towing, Toyota NZ says the LC300 will "tow a 3500kg braked trailer load with ease".

There are some big changes inside, too, with the LC300 family now fitted with a Head-Up Display, and a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There's six total USB points, keyless entry, push-button start and a host of premium touchpoint in the cabin, too.

We also know that Toyota New Zealand will be delivering the LC300 from October this year, which should be around the same time as the Australian debut, scheduled for Q4 this year.

Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold. But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul. And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard. When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House. But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others. More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.
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