Toyota Land Cruiser 2008 News

A purpose-built 4x4 track at the Australian International Motor Show offers visitors the chance to evaluate a range of different vehicles.Show-goers are able to experience as close to a real-life off-roading situation as you can get in the city.Exhibiting 4WD brands are:Hyundai - Santa FeJeep - WranglerKia - Sportage, SorentoLexus - LX 570Mitsubishi - Triton GLX-R, PajeroNissan - X-TRAIL Turbo DieselRenault - KoleosToyota - Landcruiser 200Volkswagen - TouaregVisitors to the show interested in a particular 4x4 will receive a VIP pass to the 4x4 track to experience the vehicle’s performance and are driven around the track by a professional driver.Track is built to demonstrate the abilities of each vehicle and obstacles are designed to demonstrate the vehicles’ increasingly advanced technology and abilities.The see-saw gives an indication of vehicle balance, the hill structure tests traction and control, the moguls and rocks show-off ground clearance and the new addition of the u-turn at the end of the track demonstrates the tightness of the turning circleThe vehicles navigate the track in slow motion; just as experienced four-wheel-drivers would approach such obstacles in real-life situations.

No one knows the importance of State of Origin better than Shane Webcke. The Queensland rugby league legend was an integral part of the "state-against-state, mate-against-mate'' series and has a growing media profile as a sports newsreader in the north. Webcke is a former Australian player who made his name in the front row with the Brisbane Broncos and has been driving cars on his family's property since he was eight.It is no surprise the 33-year-old, a proud Queenslander, drives a Toyota LandCruiser in the state's maroon competition colours. Or that he is the subject of the latest book in the Icons of Australian Sports series by Hyperactive. Webcke, who will take up an assistant coaching position at the Broncos next year alongside former players Alan Langer, Peter Ryan and Paul Green, says he loves to drive, especially on Victoria's Great Ocean Rd.What was your first car?I grew up on a rural property so I was driving from the age of eight. My first car was a 1968 VE Valiant Sedan, white with a blue bonnet. We used to call her Valva. She let me down that often. I would top her up with petrol and oil -- she was disgraceful. I had her for exactly 12 months. The night the registration was running out I was driving back to our family property and halfway, in the middle of a freezing cold Darling Downs winter's night, she seized up. I had to walk for three miles to the nearest farm house to ring my mum so she could come and get me.What do you drive now?I drive a current-model Toyota LandCruiser. It's maroon.Do you have a favourite drive and who would you take?The Great Ocean Rd in Victoria is spectacular and I'd take my wife.How far would you drive in an average year?I would drive roughly 40,000km a year.Do you have a favourite motoring memory?I've done a few road trips. I once drove from Mt Isa, in central north Queensland, to Brisbane in a day. It's a long way but I was with a couple of mates and it was a great trip. I love driving.What would you buy if money were no object?Another Toyota. I love Toyotas. It's the best car ever made.What music is playing in your car?It would be a mixture of things. Slim Dusty gets a fair run, so does Johnny Cash. There's also Jimmy Barnes and Cold Chisel. It depends on my mood. If I'm going bush I like to put Slim on, but if I'm driving around town and I need to be a bit aggressive, I'll put some Barnsey on.How much is too much for a new car?Anything over $30,000. Most cars these days cost what a house used to!What should be done to make driving safer?We need better roads. I think roads are as much the problem as the people behind the wheel. One of the solutions to all the problems in life is that we all live too fast. And it manifests itself in our driving sometimes -- the aggression and speed. People are always in a hurry to get where they are going. It's a part of life today as we know it and I don't know how you fix that.Are you sponsored by a car company?Yes I am, Toyota.

It is big enough and tough enough to tackle the Toyota LandCruiser, but Kia Australia has given the thumbs down to its seven-seat off-roader, the Borrego.The off-roader was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show last week, but Kia Australia spokesman Jonathan Fletcher says there are three strikes against it reaching showrooms here.Even though it is built in South Korea, the seven seater is available only in left-hand drive, and aimed at North America, where it will be sold in two and four-wheel drive and called the Mohave.Fletcher also says it may be too big for our market and it is not available with a turbodiesel.“All those things work against it for Australia,” he says.In outright size, the Borrego is close to the LandCruiser Series 200, which starts at $70,000.It is 4879mm long, 1915mm wide and has a wheelbase of 2896mm, 46mm longer than the LandCruiser.As Kia's most powerful vehicle, the full-size off-roader will be available with a 3.8-litre V6 and Kia's first 225kW 4.6-litre V8, the same engine that powers the luxury Hyundai Genesis.The V8 will be mated to a six-speed sequential automatic.Visually, Kia's wagon is based on the 2005 Mesa concept vehicle.It has a contemporary look with flared back headlights, an upright grille and chiselled bonnet.Like the LandCruiser, the big off-roader has a body-on-frame construction designed for durability, off-road strength and towing.It sits on independent front and rear suspension matched with coil-over springs, designed to provide a composed ride on and off-road.Inside, Borrego has an in-dash, six-disc 600-watt CD stereo system and USB/iPod capabilities.When it goes on sale, the car will have electric adjustable pedals DVD navigation system, and a rear reversing camera with dashboard display.Kia has tried to make the wagon as versatile as it is big.Inside there is plenty of space. The middle row of seats folds flat and slides to allow access to the third row, which fold into the luggage area.It has dual front, side and curtain airbags, hill-descent control, anti-skid brakes, brake assist and traction and stability control.Kia expect to sell 18,000 Borregos in South Korea this year, with 30,000 destined for export markets. 

The star of Lamborghini's stand; one of the most expensive cars on display at the Australian International Motor Show which opened yesterday, a Murcielago LP640 Versace and is the only one left.

Toyota’s return to rock-crawling was sung in by a big country star, but the huge new LandCruiser and massive neon stage threatened to dwarf him in lights and sounds.Lee Kernahan crooning to a hip rural beat as the new 200 Series LandCruiser took the spotlight; all of it. The ‘Cruiser is even more of a bruiser than before, bulked up, with a greater kerb weight, 60mm longer, 30mm wider, 15mm higher…While a monocoque chassis will have to wait ‘til a ‘300 Series’, the new powertrains, chassis, suspension and components are rather futuristic.In a claimed ‘World first,’ Toyota has introduced its Crawl Control technology, which enables the driver to toggle between low speeds over the rocky offroad rubble like a fancy hill descent or assist. The suspension is also reworked and is hydraulically-assisted, while active rollbar technology works to keep the wheels planted on terra-firma.Toyota also took a plunge into the oil pool with two new V8 engine choices; a large 5.7-litre petrol V8 matched to a five-speed automatic, and a 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel with a six-speed auto.The latter boasts 190kW and an enormous 600Nm, and is a welcome return to the world of large-capacity diesels for the Japanese automaker (since the new emissions laws came in, Toyota has been without a big oil-burner).While we will see the 200 Series in showrooms by mid-November, the tricked-up tray backed TRD Hilux will be postponed until at least March.The supercharged dual-cab has been delayed due to a recent issue with the new supercharged TRD Aurion performance sedan. It is believed that the incident several weeks ago was caused by the combination of a wide open throttle and a slip of the gears (apparently, it was accidentally put into neutral from drive by a Toyota staffer).Toyota immediately halted the Hilux to investigate the problem, and it has backed up the production line.Next for TRD, once they pass this hurdle, may be a TRD Corolla in the spirit of the current ARC rally cars and possibly even a TRD 4X4 of some sort… See this car at the Australian International Motor Show  

The show has been expanded this year with additional internal and external displays.More than 50 new models will be unveiled amongst the 500 cars on display.Headliners include the world premieres of Mitsubishi's Evolution X cult car, the new generation Toyota LandCruiser featuring new Australian-developed suspension technology, and Holden's new sportswagon. Several other world premieres are expected.Other highlights include a Lexus that parks itself, and cutting-edge concept cars from BMW, Hyundai and Škoda, and new sportscars from Bufori, Lamborghini, Lotus and Maserati.View all the latest news and action on the official Australian International Motorshow website at www.australianmotorshow.com

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November.