Exploration of Land Cruiser's Seven Decade-Long Evolution and Design Principles: Conversation with Top Engineers (Continuation)

Toyota's New Land Cruiser 300 Series: Built for the World, Tested to the Limit

Toyota Motor Corporation has unveiled the all-new Land Cruiser 300 Series, marking the model's 70th anniversary. The Land Cruiser, a vehicle that sustains the lives and livelihoods of people all over the world, has been developed with a focus on durability, reliability, and performance on rough terrain.

At the heart of the Land Cruiser's development philosophy is the concept of "genchi genbutsu," meaning visiting harsh environments where the vehicle is used to gain insights. This approach has been a development keyword for the Land Cruiser since its inception, with successive generations of developers working with users in markets different from Japan to meet expectations and keep promises.

The Land Cruiser 300 Series was developed with a body-on-frame arrangement, using a rubber-mounted cabin on a ladder frame to create a stronger chassis. The development team aimed to check how far the car can be pushed before breaking down, enabling them to send it out into the world with confidence. Thorough testing until the breaking point ensures safety and durability.

Breakdown testing involves putting the car under extreme stresses to check its limits before breaking down. Real vehicle evaluation, where actual cars are driven to find and fix anything that breaks, is a crucial part of the development process. As model cycles for each generation become longer and the cars spread around the world, repairability improves for Land Cruisers.

The 300 Series uses an entirely new platform based on the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) design concept. The vehicle has been designed to feel "stress-free" to drive, with a lower center of gravity and lighter weight compared to the 200 Series. The 40 Series, 70 Series, and other Land Cruiser models share a surprising number of repairable parts among each series, making maintenance and repairs more accessible.

Sadayoshi Koyari, the Project General Manager for the Land Cruiser 70 Series and the Land Cruiser Prado, has been with Toyota Motor Corporation since 1985. Takmai Yokoo, the Project General Manager for the Land Cruiser 300 Series, joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 2000 and has been involved in differential design for the Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser Prado. The name of the project leader responsible for the development of the Land Cruiser 300 Series is not mentioned in the provided search results.

The Land Cruiser development team aims to ensure ongoing improvement, as the car may be subject to over-harsh conditions even with 100% reliability. Koyari and Yokoo agree that the final judgment on the success of the Land Cruiser rests with the customer. With the 300 Series, Toyota has delivered a vehicle that is built to last, designed to perform, and ready to take on the world's toughest terrains.

Exploration of Land Cruiser's Seven Decade-Long Evolution and Design Principles: Conversation with Top Engineers (Continuation)