Essay Sampel on Toyota Land Cruiser: From Military Prototype to Heavy-Duty Workhorse

In 1951, the production of the first generation of Land cruiser was done as a military prototype. These vehicles were a version of the Toyota and jeep-like models (Corporation). The land cruiser has since been improved and produced in several body styles, such as the station wagons, convertible body styles, and hardtop. The land cruiser models were made and meant for heavy-duty work. The first version of the Toyota Land Cruiser was the BJ series. Mainly, the BJ was produced to use the police service of Japan. This model was fitted with a 6-cylinder Type B engine of gasoline and 3,00cc that powered the AC and the AA models of the BJ series. Although the Toyota jeep BJ's large displacement engine facilitated high performance, this model did not have an extensive track record. Therefore, this model was converted from military use to civilian use.

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Land Cruiser 20-series was the next generation of the land cruiser, which was developed around 1957. This land cruiser model had an excellent appearance designed for civilian use. Only two chassis were made available, with the base of the wheel being 2285 mm and 2430 mm, respectively. The model consisted of two engines of 6-cylinders of gasoline were available. Towards the first model, the model was fitted with a type engine version that used fire for gasoline combustion (Williams, 32). During this period, the 4-wheel model was also produced, with several body variations such as a pickup, 4-door vans, soft top, and fire engines.

Land Cruiser 40 series was later developed. This generation was developed around the 1960s. It had the same chassis as the second generation though a wheelbase of 2950 mm was added to the pickups and export trucks. The body variations were similar to the one used in the 20-series models with a fire engine, a pickup, and a 2-and 4-door van. Afterward, the 55 and 60-models were developed before the 1970s (Corporation). This 55 cruiser model was a wagon that was more comfortable and friendly to the passengers than the previous models. The 55 Series model was developed with a 3.9-liters engine and a new camshaft shape of the head, therefore, improving its big SUV to cruise when at high speed. Also, the pre-'75 three-speed was replaced by a four-speed manual in this model. Besides, the 60 series model was engineered to provide more on-road comfort. Its SUV was four wheels and had live axles at the front and the back. Also, it had a new dashboard and a 3F-type 4.0-liter engine.

The land cruiser 70 series was later developed as an improvement of the previous models. This model had an improved external style and more comfortable to ride while its SUV was four-wheel. The model was made more spacious, adopted a new curved glass in the windshield, and enhanced utility. In the body variations, an FRP top was added, including vans and soft pans. Also, five wheelbases were engineered, ranging from 2310 mm to 3180 mm (Williams, 32). Finally, this model consisted of a chassis for mounting custom-designed coachwork. The model was developed in various styles; mm, such as two-door and four-door and a wagon's variant size. The 70 Series model went through several developments and became the first land cruiser.

From the 1990s, the Toyota Land Cruiser 80-series was engineered. Its body was more comprehensive and longer than the other cruiser series,' and the source of power was a 155-hp 4.0- liter engine (Williams, 32). Also, the model was four-wheel full time. Later stages of this model, the engine was changed to a 4.5-liter inline-six, which could produce 212 horsepower. Afterward, the Toyota land cruiser 100-series was developed with a new 230-hp inline-six engine. The structure's rigidity was improved by 50 percent and was fitted with an independent suspension, which replaced the previous axle at the front. Later, five horses are added to the V-8'S stable, therefore boosting the land cruiser V-8 to 275 horsepower. Toyota land cruiser 120-series was developed in the 2000s and was the first to be adopted in the US market. This model shared much of the 100-series Prado's bodywork with 4.3 inches shorter than the 235-hp 4.7-liter V-8. It was also developed as a full-time four-wheel-drive system, although its rear belies the GX470's roots.

The next development was the engineering of the Land cruiser 150 series. This model was also adopted in the US market in the form of the 2010 Lexus GX460. The model has an automatic transmission paired with 301-hp 4.6 liters V-8 engine. Finally, the Toyota land cruiser 200-series was developed. This model borrowed most of its principles from the Toyota 100-series. It has an automatic transmission and packs a 381-hp 5.7 liter V8 mated to six speeds (Corporation). It is fitted with electronic toys that ensure that SUV is a 194.9-inch long cruise overland on its path and the SUV lives long. The latest model of the 200-series, the 5226-pound land cruiser, is an eight-speed automatic model that makes 60mph in 6.7 seconds.

If you ever need the best off-road vehicle with 4×4 capabilities, then the Toyota land cruiser is the right vehicle for you because of the following expansive capabilities. First, it has a Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system that controls the wheels' spin and lockup of the brakes to optimize driving performance over the off-road surfaces ("2021 Toyota land cruiser review, pricing, and specs"). These surfaces include; mogul, rock, sand, rock and dirt, loose rock. Also, it has a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). KDSS helps keep the best traction despite the challenging terrain it may be driven on. On activation of KDSS, it disconnects the sway bar and optimizes the suspension system to aid in better articulation of the wheel, hence countering the uneven terrains.

Besides, the Torsen limited-slip- center differential empowers the wheel and axle to keep optimal traction. The cruiser has a locking feature that helps switch 50/50 front distribution of power in off-road surfaces. Moreover, it has a crawl control system that is equipped with off-road turn assist. The system controls the brakes and throttle on low-speed settings. Therefore, allowing a tighter turning radius hence easily navigate turns in off-road surfaces. Additionally, the Toyota land cruiser offers both part-time and full-time 4WD capability that helps make your driving smooth, whether in icy roads, muddy paths, slick roads, among others.

The Toyota land cruiser is highly-priced because it offers good quality material and is reliable. Despite the planned obsolescence in most automotive fields, Toyota land cruisers are genuinely designed to last longer. Since Toyota produced its first land cruiser in 1951, it has always been dependable every year. The thick metal grade used on the cruiser's exterior parts makes it withstand harsh conditions hence reliable in off-roads ("2021 Toyota land cruiser review, pricing, and specs"). Also, Toyota makes the SUV in small batches hence able to address product quality problems. Therefore, every year that it makes a new group of cruisers, the product quality problems are minimized. Also, the cruisers are known to maintain their mechanical integrity despite the hundreds of thousands of miles covered compared to other cars, which covers at most 200,000 miles. Besides, the maintenance cost is meager since most parts are cheap and easy to fix; hence you don't necessarily need a mechanic. Conclusively, the features mentioned above make land cruiser very reliable, hence the best vehicle choice for anyone who needs a reliable vehicle.

The land cruiser has also been designed to be sumptuous for both the passengers and the driver. The cruiser has a spacious cabin with a capacity of 8 where the second low seats are fitted with an armrest at the center and a third low seat that is split. Therefore, in the case of an expedition with your entire crew, everyone rides in comfort. It is fitted with heated and ventilated seats. The driver and passenger seats are made of leather, ventilated, and multi-stage heated to ensure no one is left in the cold.

Moreover, it has over 20 vents in the cabin where the driver and the passenger can control the climate from their seats' comfort. Besides, the cruiser has a very high tech luxury, which can be used for any expedition. It has 14 JBL speakers that make the sound of high quality hence entertaining while in the cruiser. Furthermore, it has a 9-inch high-resolution touch screen that helps access the integrated navigation system and the music-making the entertainment experience to be a high notch ("2021 Toyota land cruiser review, pricing, and specs"). Also, the cruiser has a DVD entertainment system that provides personalized entertainment for the passengers. Also, the eight-speed automatic transmission makes the cruiser more comfortable since it gives the driver an option to manually select the gears when needed through the sequential shift from automatic to manual.

The price of a new and used land cruiser differ. While a new land cruiser is expensive due to the high efficiency and luxurious nature associated with it, a used land cruise is cheap because of the depreciation of its value showcased by the loss of its original appeal. A used land cruiser may have a good, large, and luxurious SUV (Corporation). Therefore, it would be the right choice, especially for those people who want ruggedness and reliability. However, fresh interior styling and the latest technology may not be in these used land cruiser models. Besides, used land cruisers may have high fuel consumption estimation, the interior may be less luxurious, and the infotainment system may have a slow response. These drawbacks make the pricing of used land cruisers low.

Used land cruisers are on demand because of their reliability. They maintain mechanical integrity (the engine, 4wd system, and transfer case), therefore no significant difference from the newly bought land cruiser ("2021 Toyota land cruiser review, pricing, and specs") . Therefore, people would prefer buying a used one at a lower price but of the same quality and reliability as a new one from the dealership lot. Used land cruisers are not readily available. However, if one needs a used model, the Toyota certified used vehicle program is the right place. The used vehicle passes through a 160-point inspection plus an additional one year or 12,000-miles warranty and seven years or 100,000-miles warranty. Besides, there are other certified dealers that one can check for the used model he needs. The only drawback of buying used or older land cruisers is the availability of their parts. Toyota sets standards that are of high quality; hence the aftermarket parts are not reliable to hold up for a long time.

Toyota land cruiser claims higher longevity due to its decorated reputation on durability and reliability. Therefore, owners hold it for an average of 11.4 years. Also, Toyota Land Cruiser can stay for an average of 9 years in the market without any design alteration ("2021 Toyota land cruiser review, pricing, and specs"). The latest model has an improved design, and hence owners do not see the need to trade it for a new model. Additionally, at 1.5 percent, Toyota land cruiser lasts for more than 300,000 miles.

Works Cited

"2021 Toyota land cruiser review, pricing, and specs." Car and Driver, 30 July 2020, www.caranddriver.com/toyota/land-cruiser

Corporation., T. M. "Heavy duty." Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website, https://www.global.toyota/en/mobility/toyota-brand/features/landcruiser/history/evolution/heavy-duty.html

Williams, Stephen. "Toyota's new Land Cruiser." African Business 284 (2003): 32-32. https://www.elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=639734