Toyota Reveals Concept, Reality
February 4, 1998 -- Toyota unveiled the 1998 Land Cruiser and gave journalists a sneak peak at the concept for the T150 truck at the 90th Chicago Auto Show today.
The Land Cruiser gets a new 4.7-liter 32-valve DOHC V-8 engine with 230 horsepower--the same engine that is in the new Lexus LX470. Actually, the new Land Cruiser is pretty much identical to the LX470, if you take away the wood trim.
Improved in the Land Cruiser are the vehicle's chassis, suspension and transmission. Promising a quiet ride and fuel efficiency, the 1998 sport-ute meets California emissions regulations. The suggested retail price will be $45,950, up a whopping 11.6 percent over last year's model.
The new T150 due out in the spring of 1999 is Toyota's answer to the full-size truck market. Powered by the same engine as the Land Cruiser and the Lexus L470, the T150 wins no points for originality. Though Toyota's designers tried to add unique character to the truck, it still lacks style. The enormous fog lamps, located in the front air dam, diminish the approach angle. And the silver protrusions from the C-pillars impede access into the truck bed and serve no purpose other than to display the name "T150."
The T150 will be built in Toyota's new $700 million production plant in Indiana. Aimed at brand-loyal customers, the T150 replaces the current Toyota T100 trucks which will stop being imported as of August 1998.
February 4, 1998 -- Toyota unveiled the 1998 Land Cruiser and gave journalists a sneak peak at the concept for the T150 truck at the 90th Chicago Auto Show today.
The Land Cruiser gets a new 4.7-liter 32-valve DOHC V-8 engine with 230 horsepower--the same engine that is in the new Lexus LX470. Actually, the new Land Cruiser is pretty much identical to the LX470, if you take away the wood trim.
Improved in the Land Cruiser are the vehicle's chassis, suspension and transmission. Promising a quiet ride and fuel efficiency, the 1998 sport-ute meets California emissions regulations. The suggested retail price will be $45,950, up a whopping 11.6 percent over last year's model.
The new T150 due out in the spring of 1999 is Toyota's answer to the full-size truck market. Powered by the same engine as the Land Cruiser and the Lexus L470, the T150 wins no points for originality. Though Toyota's designers tried to add unique character to the truck, it still lacks style. The enormous fog lamps, located in the front air dam, diminish the approach angle. And the silver protrusions from the C-pillars impede access into the truck bed and serve no purpose other than to display the name "T150."
The T150 will be built in Toyota's new $700 million production plant in Indiana. Aimed at brand-loyal customers, the T150 replaces the current Toyota T100 trucks which will stop being imported as of August 1998.
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