2008 LC photos -- Toyota of Honduras

[haven]

Here are several photos of the 2008 Land Cruiser,
courtesy of Toyota of Honduras:

http://www.toyotahonduras.com/cf/nuevos_p.html

I hope the version that makes it to USA looks like this.
It seems less bulbous than the Lexus variant. I think
the 2008 LC will be gasoline engine only. I suppose
if you can afford a new Land Cruiser you won't care
about the gas mileage.

Chip Haven

 

[DaveInDenver]

Added photos ruthlessly stolen from the website.

 

[FortyMileDesert]

Styling seems a mix of Camry, Montero Sport and Santa Fe - - - -

 

[cruiser guy]

I think the 2008 LC will be gasoline engine only. I suppose if you can afford a new Land Cruiser you won't care about the gas mileage.

Chip Haven

In the US maybe but if there isn't a diesel variant in most of the world it won't sell. Only Americans and Canadians are adversely inclined towards diesel.

 

[flyingwil]

I don't care for the styling... might as well buy a Sequoia, at least I like their styling.

 

[spressomon]

I don't care for the styling... might as well buy a Sequoia, at least I like there styling.

Well...its built on a Sequoia platform...

 

[Brian894x4]

Anyone figure out what this new platform will be? Type of suspension, axle size, etc? Fully boxed frame still, I hope?

As long as Toyota USA didn't give any design imput, it should be OK....but I worry. Seems like Toyota has been getting away from it's Japanese roots and letting a bunch of reject GM designers take over, lately.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I just don't see Toyota sticking the 'Land Cruiser' name on something not really a Land Cruiser here. But outside the US & Canada I would bet they certainly don't call it a Land Cruiser unless it starts life in the Honsha and Araco plants or a Prado unless it's built at Tahara. Sequoias are made in the TMMI plant in Indiana, USA. They could do a name that implies 'Land Cruiser', like the FJ Cruiser (which is actually built at Hino Hamura plant in Japan). The Land Cruiser is much too important to Toyota for them to mess with just pimping the name out. If they stop importing the truck, the name of any truck that replaces it will probably not be 'Land Cruiser'. But I don't see them changing things, they have several SUVs bigger and smaller, so the Land Cruiser fits in as their top-of-the-line vehicle and a showpiece for them. They don't really need it to fill a super unique size or price point or anything.

 

[spressomon]

Anyone figure out what this new platform will be? Type of suspension, axle size, etc? Fully boxed frame still, I hope?

As long as Toyota USA didn't give any design imput, it should be OK....but I worry. Seems like Toyota has been getting away from it's Japanese roots and letting a bunch of reject GM designers take over, lately.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=100359&postcount=6

:REOutArchery02:

 

[spressomon]

I have liked the looks of every LC except the '08! I don't think this one's going to grow on me either (OK...I 1/2 like the FJ)...should fit right in with the mall crowd.

 

[haven]

LC still made in Japan

There was speculation that Toyota would stop importing the Land Cruiser, and sell an upgraded version of the Sequoia in its place. But this hasn't happened yet.

The Land Cruiser will be made in Japan for 2008. The engine and transmission for USA and Canada will be the 5.7L/6speed auto combination used in the 2007 Tundra. I think the rest of the world will continue to have a choice between the 4.7L gas V8 and the inline 6 diesel.

At $57,000 in 2007, the Land Cruiser is priced close to a Porsche Cayenne S, Range Rover Sport, Mercedes GL450 and Audi Q7 Premium. Even the Cadillac Escalade costs this much. Some fully-optioned full-size diesel pickups cost almost $50,000, too. So I'd say the LC is a bit of a bargain if you're shopping in this neighborhood.

For two years there have been rumors about a 4.4L twin turbo diesel engine under development at Toyota for use in the Land Cruiser and the Tundra. Now that Ford, Chevy and Dodge have announced plans to produce a similar size diesel for their light trucks, maybe Toyota will follow suit. I don't expect to see these engines until the 2009 model year. That's only 18 months from now!

Chip Haven

 

[DaveInDenver]

Here's a shot of the new European market Land Cruiser, does it look the same as the one from Honduras? I still really think we'll be getting the regular 130 series Land Cruiser, not a rebadged Sequoia.

Chip, isn't the new Cruiser supposed to have a new V8 4.4L twin turbo diesel? I dunno if we'll get it here, but maybe in the Tundra?

 

[calamaridog]

I guess I'm the only one that likes it:shakin:

I can't afford to upgrade, but in a few years I'm sure the used market will soften up a bit

I think it will look damn sexy with a couple inches of lift, bumpers, and some off road tires.

I'm pretty excited about huge brakes, 10.5 inch rear end, and 400 lb-ft of torque too.

I saw a spy shot of the new Sequoia and the front looks just like the new Tundra.

 

[Brian894x4]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=100359&postcount=6

:REOutArchery02:

What? The new Land Cruiser is built on the Sequoia platform? No way.

I'd have to see that first, before I believed it.

Maybe if might be more accurate to say that the new Sequoia uses the new Land Cruiser platform. If the Sequoia is going to be bigger to match the new Tundra, this I can believe, as it will need a heavier duty frame and larger front and rear axles.

Actually I can imagine the Tunda, new Sequoia and Land Cruiser all using the same front and rear axles as they are pretty heavy duty. Only I'd hope for something a little beefier up front for the Land Cruiser.

Oh heck....It will be 15 years before I could afford a new generation Land Cruiser and by that time, we'll probably all be driving around on motor scooters, because gas is $20/gallon.

If my 80 dies, I can always upgrade to a 100 instead. (I use the word "upgrade" lightly). :sombrero:

 

[preacherman]

A buddy of mine in Africa has a 2005 prado from japan and it looks alot like that 2008 LC....weird