These are the first pictures of the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser, which makes its official debut at the Sydney motor show in October.Although it looks pretty similar to its predecessor, the new Land Cruiser is based on a totally redesigned platform. Like its predecessors, the eight-generation 4x4 uses a body-on-frame design, which in theory gives it greater off-road ability. Toyota is also claiming that it's more refined than ever."For more than 50 years now three key words have been the basis of each generation of Land Cruiser: strength, durability and reliability," said Land Cruiser chief engineer, Sadayoshi Koyari. One of the key developments for the Land Cruiser is the new 4.5 D-4D V8 diesel engine; previously the Land Cruiser Amazon used a 4.2-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel.The new motor packs 480lb ft from 1600rpm and 282bhp, which ought to give it serious towing abilities. It comes mated to a new six-speed auto 'box, and claimed fuel consumption is 27.7mpg, four per cent better than before.There will also be a tweaked version of the existing 4.7-litre petrol V8, with a five-speed auto, which develops 439lb ft and 284bhp.Off-road gadgets include a new "Crawl Control system", available with the petrol engine, which automatically controls the engine and the brakes to maintain a very low speed, and means the driver only needs to steer the vehicle.European sales start in December, while the new Land Cruiser may already be familiar to American readers – it's sold over there as the Lexus LX 570, which was unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April
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