For last year, Toyota was only able to sell 3376 units of the Land Cruiser. Although this is the case, no one can contest that the Land Cruiser is the Toyota model that was able to sell most since the Japanese maker started selling their vehicles in America in 1958. It is not surprising then that Toyota will be introducing another generation of the Land Cruiser. And it will do so as part of the company’s 50th year in existence in the United States. Changes in the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser includes a hauling of its 4.7 liter engine to a Tundra 5.7 liter V8. This gives the Land Cruiser more power with an additional 116 hp and 73 lb-ft in torque. This power gives the new Land Cruiser more ability to easily manage its 5690 pound curb weight. As for its output, it can generate as much as 381 hp and 401 lb-ft.
All these features are supposed to make the Land Cruiser all the more lovable to the American market. Apart from these, the big Land Cruiser ute even gets bigger. For the latest model, it gains 265 pounds and 2.4 inches more when it comes to length and a 1.2 inches add-on its width. As for the torsion bar type front suspension system that used to be found on 2007 models of the Land Cruiser, it gets replaced with a double A-arm setup that are equipped with coil over Toyota shocks that are available at Bilstein shocks. This unique combination of the ’08 Land Cruiser’s suspension system increases the wheel travel to around 9.05 inches. This is an inch higher than the previous ones. As for the rear suspension, it basically stays the same. It has a four-link solid axle that is geared with coil springs as well as Panhard-bar setup. This setup is especially engineered in order to handle a considerable increase in power from the engine.
As for the ride on-road, Toyota estimates that 99 percent of Cruisers in the Unites States are to spend 99 percent of their time close to perfection. This is because the Cruiser has a big body frame that hardly glides over the pavement. The ’08 edition is relatively quiet. When inside the cabin, one can rarely hear any noise from the outside, which makes it perfect for anyone who wants to have comfort in his or her driving
