Toyota Australia today launched the latest generation of the LandCruiser wagon - the vehicle that helped Toyota establish its foothold in the world and Australian automotive markets.

New LandCruiser 200 Series has a stronger body, improved suspension, more powerful V8 engines that use less fuel and new technology that makes it even more capable in all conditions.

Advanced features include the Australian-invented Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS).

LandCruiser 200 also has the world's first Crawl Control (on petrol models), multi-terrain anti-skid brakes and up to 10 airbags.

Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner, said LandCruiser had evolved over almost 50 years from a basic four-wheel-drive utility vehicle into an upmarket SUV.

"Everything Toyota has learnt in half a century of building four-wheel drives has gone into the design, development and manufacturing of the new LandCruiser 200," Mr Buttner said.

"It has retained the capability of the original LandCruiser, and added the comfort and convenience of a luxury sedan.

"New LandCruiser is more than a step forward; it's a giant leap ahead in technology, performance, specification and value."

LandCruiser 200 is available in three grades - GXL, VX and Sahara - with two engine choices, both of them V8s.

The new 4.5-litre twin-turbo, multi-valve direct-injection V8 diesel lifts power to 195kW and produces a massive 650Nm of torque.

This is 30 per cent extra power and more than 50 per cent additional torque than the previous six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

Fuel consumption has been improved by 6.3 per cent and is just 10.3 litres/100km¹ based on the official ADR 81/01 combined cycle.

For the Euro IV-compliant petrol V8 engine, now with variable valve timing (inlet), power is up 18 per cent while fuel use is down almost 10 per cent.

"It really is amazing what Toyota is achieving with the latest generation of engines," Mr Buttner said.

The updated petrol V8 is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission while the diesel engine is mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Both have sequential shift that allows the driver to select gears manually.

The transmissions have artificial intelligence control, which allows their computers to select the appropriate gear ratio by estimating road conditions and predicting the driver's intention.

New LandCruiser 200 will tow up to 3500kg and the towbar is now integrated into the chassis for maximum strength.

Engineers developed an all-new chassis structure that offers superior strength and rigidity by maintaining a separate frame and body.

Torsional strength has been increased by 40 per cent and bending strength by 20 per cent.

New LandCruiser 200 incorporates styling changes that add to its adventurous, rugged image.

It is 60mm longer and 30mm wider, contributing to greater interior space without sacrificing off-road manoeuvrability.

LandCruiser's coefficient of drag has been significantly improved from 0.39 in 100 Series to 0.35 in new 200 Series.

The interior is all about space, comfort, security and safety for the driver and up to seven passengers.

With the adoption of shorter-format V8 engines, the bonnet length has been reduced for improved visibility.

The front pillars have been pushed forward to increase interior length by 130mm.

The front seats adjust over 240mm longitudinally and the second row also adjusts 105mm, which means more legroom in the third row.

For security against theft, all models have an engine immobiliser.

LandCruiser VX and Sahara also have an alarm.

A newly developed transfer case employs a Torsen^® limited-slip centre differential with a dial-actuated locking function.

LandCruiser engineers designed all-new suspension hardware for dramatically increased wheel articulation.

KDSS enables new LandCruiser 200 to enjoy two previously contradictory benefits - longer wheel articulation for the most challenging off-road driving and the roll control needed for confident on-road driving.

KDSS is optional on GXL turbo-diesel and standard on the other five models.

LandCruiser's chassis now employs high-mount double-wishbone suspension at the front with a hollow stabiliser bar and coil springs, replacing the torsion-bar set-up of the previous model.

At the rear, the reliable and trusted four-link with lateral rod, coil-spring system is further refined, delivering a longer suspension stroke for improved performance and better handling, ride comfort and stability.

The Crawl Control system on petrol models aids driving in extreme off-road situations, such as over rocks, sand or steep hills.

It automatically controls the engine and brakes to maintain very low speeds - in forward or reverse - with minimal spinning or locking of the wheels.

Multi-terrain ABS reads the available road grip to provide the correct brake strategy on dirt, gravel, sand and bitumen.

All models have Hill-Start Assist Control, which minimises vehicle roll-back when starting on steep hills or climbing slippery surfaces.

Turbo-diesel models also feature Downhill Assist Control, which controls speed on steep descents.

New LandCruiser features Vehicle Stability Control and active Traction Control across the range and up to 10 airbags - the most in any Toyota vehicle.

Recommended retail prices for the LandCruiser 200 range start at $69,990².