Toyota’s New Electric Land Cruiser Concept Drops The Off-Road Act

Among the greats of off-roading, the Toyota Land Cruiser is arguably at the very top. Alongside the Land Rover Defender and Jeep Wrangler, it carries a reputation for ruggedness above all else that some SUV manufacturers could only dream of. Well, Toyota could be about to weaken that a little bit - with a new concept taking the nameplate to a road-focused electric car.

Previewed ahead of the Tokyo Mobility Show, kicking off on October 28th, the Land Cruiser Se concept gives a taste of a reinvented all-electric version - and it’s quite a departure.

For a start, its exterior design is a complete contrast to the recently revealed combustion-powered Land Cruiser. Rather than using the retro FJ60-inspired styling of that car, the Se very much takes on a futuristic look.

The front end is heavily reminiscent of the bZ4X’s, with ultra-thin LED headlights and a huge body-coloured panel where most cars would have a grille. Notice the big alloy wheels riding on low-profile tyres, too, which you wouldn’t expect to see on a proper 4x4 - hinting a production electric Land Cruiser could be more focused on the road.

That theory is backed up by a short line in Toyota’s press release stating “[electric vehicle] quietness helps create a comfortable cabin space when driving in urban areas and other on-road situations.”

There are a few design bits linking this concept to the most recent road-going Land Cruiser though, mainly the near-square wheel arched and staunch creases in the bodywork.

Technical details are scarce for now, though Toyota says it sits on a monocoque chassis rather than a ladder frame as seen on the regular Land Cruiser and will have three rows of seating. Again, another sign of a car focusing on-road comfort rather than go-anywhere ability - but Toyota does say it “offers highly responsive handling and confidence in tackling rough terrain”.

Granted, Toyota hasn’t confirmed if or when the Land Cruiser Se will be heading into production, but this concept doesn’t look all that far from road-ready. Presumably, it’d be sold alongside the true Land Cruiser 4x4 and leaning on its badging for kudos - rather than serving as a replacement.

Alongside the Land Cruiser Se, Toyota will also be showing the EPU - a mid-size electric pick-up - and the Space mobility prototype, a buggy designed for use on the moon.

It’ll be showing off a new ‘NEO steer’ system too, a yoke-like system based on motorbike handlebars. This puts the accelerator and brake pedals onto the steering wheel, creating a bit more space for the driver’s feet - as well as allowing those with lower limb impairments an easier-to-use alternative.