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The illustrations featured on this story aren’t associated to nor endorsed by Toyota.
Earlier this 12 months, Toyota unveiled the brand new 250 Sequence Land Cruiser, marking the highly-anticipated return of the nameplate to the USA, with the identical mannequin to be bought because the Land Cruiser Prado in some markets together with Europe and Australia. Shortly after, the Japanese automaker teased the shadowy silhouette of a compact off-roader whereas saying plans to develop the legendary nameplate, sparking hypothesis concerning the potential introduction of one other Land Cruiser variant positioned under the 250 Sequence.
Now, it’s been reported that this “child” Land Cruiser might go by the identify “Land Hopper”, serving as the most cost effective level of entry in Toyota’s rising lineup of off-road-ready SUVs.
Based on Greatest Automobile Internet, the Land Hopper identify was registered as a trademark on August 8 with the Japanese Patent Workplace. The trademark falls underneath the Class 12 definition, which encompasses such classes as motors and engines for land autos, couplings and transmission elements for land autos, and different elements which will make up stated land autos.
We must always word right here that Toyota’s selection of the Land Hopper moniker could also be particular to sure markets like Japan, as they could make use of a distinct naming technique in different areas. For instance, they might revive the well-known FJ Cruiser nameplate for the North American market or go for an alternate identify, corresponding to Compact Cruiser, which aligns with the idea believed to preview the manufacturing mannequin.
Learn Extra: Do You Suppose There’s Room For A Child Land Cruiser In Toyota’s Lineup?
What’s much more intriguing is the rumored pricing for this compact off-roader, which might start at underneath $27,000. Based on the Japanese journal, the beginning value is predicted to fall inside the vary of three million to three.8 million Yen, equal to $20,100 – $25,500 (at present change charges), within the home market. Whereas it was previewed by ideas just like the Compact Cruiser upon which our renders are primarily based, there’s an opportunity it might undertake the much less playful and extra utilitarian styling particulars of the 250 Sequence Land Cruiser. Moreover, the information outlet anticipates it should share comparable dimensions with the Corolla Cross.
With pricing and sizing like that, it will compete with different compact journey SUVs just like the Ford Bronco Sport. Nonetheless, whereas the overall consensus is that these autos are extra on the “soft-roader” facet of issues, the Land Hopper is predicted to return with the off-road prowess anticipated of a Land Cruiser so as to compete with some bona-fide child off-roaders just like the Suzuki Jimny.
Extra: New Toyota Land Cruiser Might Get PHEV, Hydrogen, And EV Choices In The Future
Very like how the Bronco Sport borrows its engine choices from the extra pedestrian Escape, it’s suspected that the Land Hopper might use variations of the Corolla Cross’s gasoline and hybrid engine vary, with the potential of the RAV4’s powertrain choices being supplied as an improve.
The journal additionally mentions the potential of an EV possibility being added down the road, however it has us questioning whether or not Toyota would undergo the difficulty of engineering a separate electrical powertrain for what is meant to be essentially the most inexpensive Land Cruiser. With that in thoughts, the 250 Sequence might get an EV possibility sooner or later, and the unique Compact Cruiser idea was electrical itself, so it might probably’t be dominated out totally. Both method, it looks as if we’ll be discovering out extra concerning the SUV quickly, because the Japanese shops predicts a reveal on the Japan Mobility Present in late October earlier than an eventual launch within the second half of 2024.
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