Off-road icon to get PHEV tech with a catch

Toyota’s iconic LandCruiser 300 Series off-roader is already offered with petrol-electric hybrid technology in certain markets and it’s soon coming to Australia, but more electric oomph is reportedly on the way.

As reported by Japanese publication Creative Trend, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain is on the cards for the LC300 which would bring more electric range.

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It’s reported the system will likely use the existing 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine as a base with an electric motor, like the existing LandCruiser Hybrid, but with a larger high-voltage battery pack.'

At this stage total system outputs haven’t been confirmed, however the LandCruiser Hybrid produces 340kW and 790Nm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Having a larger battery pack in the LandCruiser PHEV could reportedly lead to issues with vehicle weight, interior space and fuel tank capacity.

Although the LandCruiser Hybrid will only be offered with five seats in Australia, in other markets there are seven-seat versions.

Creative Trend also speculates the LandCruiser PHEV’s fuel tank could be reduced to around 50L. For context, the LandCruiser Hybrid has either a 68L or 98L fuel tank in the UAE, depending on the trim level.

Plus, the diesel-powered LC300 diesel and the related petrol-powered Lexus LX600 in Australia both have 110L fuel tanks.

Despite the bigger battery pack, it’s reported that overall driving range for the LandCruiser PHEV could only be around 500-600km. A diesel-powered LandCruiser 300 Series has a theoretical range of well over 1000km in Australia.

This latest report comes after Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley, told CarsGuide that PHEV technology isn’t being ruled out for the LandCruiser.

“I think plug-in hybrid is going to be a tremendously big seller over the next five years, and with battery technology evolving, it offers, I think, a big, broad scope of capability,” said Hanley.

“A key to it though with this car is you can’t compromise on the towing. That’s the issue.

“So if you do bring in a plug-in hybrid, it’s got to be able to tow.

“It’s got to be capable and practical, otherwise [we’re] wasting time.

“But having said that, not every LandCruiser goes out towing vans.

“[In the future] you may have a LandCruiser technology or powertrain that really is for those city people.

“They might do a bit of light off-road occasionally. Then you’ll have the other LandCruiser, which could be this one [the hybrid], or some other variant, for performance and towing, and it’d be this kind of setup in the future.”

It’s unclear whether this statement opens up the possibility of an electric LandCruiser or smaller, more city-oriented model in the future.

Toyota has previously shown off concepts for both but neither have been revealed in production form.

The Tokyo motor show will kick off at the end of October and you can expect Toyota to reveal some significant new metal, so keep an eye on CarsGuide for any updates.