THE new Toyota Land Cruiser is launched this week. According to Toyota, for more than 50 years the Land Cruiser has “established a heritage of strength, reliability and rugged performance.”

In creating a new Land Cruiser for the 21st century, the company has reinforced these attributes with new levels of refinement, comfort, safety and on-road performance.

Replacing the Land Cruiser Colorado, the Land Cruiser will be offered with a choice of two engines: a new 4.0-litre VVT-i V6 petrol unit and Toyota's latest generation 3.0-litre D-4D common rail turbo diesel. The turbo diesel will be available from launch, with the V6 following from March next year.

Available in three and five-door body styles, with the wide body styling treatment on selected models and four distinct trim levels - LC2, LC3, LC4 and LC5 - the Land Cruiser offers a wider market appeal.

On-the-road prices will start at £23,995 for the LC2 three-door diesel with manual gearbox. The car will come with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty and three-year paint and 12-year anti-perforation warranties, in line with all other new Toyota models.

The new Land Cruiser is one of the most technically advanced vehicles to be launched by Toyota. It is equipped with a series of electronic systems designed to make driving on and off-road safer, more refined and more pleasurable.