First look: 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport is a Super-Duper King with Dakar Rally tech
CY Foong · Aug 2, 2021 03:45 PM
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Toyota has just released more details on the first-ever Land Cruiser to be given the GR Sport treatment two months after it was announced. The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport might not gain any performance enhancements but it was developed with the help of Dakar Rally drivers.
Known as the world’s toughest race, the Toyota Land Cruiser has participated in the Dakar Rally since 1995 in the production car category. The development for the Land Cruiser GR Sport saw some input from drivers that took part in the gruelling event.
Toyota’s goal was to implement improvements and create a vehicle that was tough, easy-to-drive, and able to withstand even in the harshest driving conditions through motorsports.
Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body competing at the 2020 Dakar Rally which took victory in its class
Which is why it also announced that a works team called Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body will take part in the Dakar Rally with the Land Cruiser GR Sport from 2023 onwards.
Diesel powertrain shown
The Land Cruiser GR Sport does not see any performance upgrades with both 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol (415 PS/650 Nm) and 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel (309 PS/700 Nm) engines carried over from the standard 300 Series. Both engines are paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and the petrol variant is available with 7 seats while the diesel variant loses out the third row.
While performance remains unchanged, the Land Cruiser GR Sport does come with an advanced suspension control system called Electronic-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) which makes its production debut here.
E-KDSS automatically and electronically controls each front and rear stabilisers independently, reacting to road conditions. It also controls the individual conditions of each of the four wheels to provide more precise stabilisation adjustments.
Toyota claims this increases driving stability in urban environments and provides superior off-road performance. Besides E-KDSS, the Land Cruiser GR Sport is also equipped with front and rear electronic differential locks as standard that provide improved performance in a variety of off-road environments.
That being said, the Land Cruiser GR Sport also comes with some accessories and features that make it stand out from the rest of the 300 Series. Outside, the SUV sports a different front radiator grille with “TOYOTA” spelled out, GR emblems, 18-inch Mud Grey aluminium wheels, and black-painted trims.
Inside, the GR Sport recognition is seen with GR emblems seen on the front seats, the steering wheel, and on the start-up screen. Buyers can choose between an all-black or a black and dark red combo for the interior.
The Land Cruiser GR Sport is expected to be shown in dealers in Japan on 21-August 2021 with prices listed at JPY 7.7 million (~RM 297k) for the petrol variant and JPY 8 million (~RM 308k) for the diesel variant. Meanwhile, fans in East Malaysia would probably have to wait a little longer until the first units arrive in recon dealers.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
