√Toyota LandCruiser Mini due next year: Everything we know so far

Two reputable Japanese car magazines have outlined plans for a miniature version of Toyota’s most iconic off-road nameplate, with heavy-duty underpinnings and, possibly, hybrid power.

Japanese car giant Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, may be preparing a rival for the five-door Suzuki Jimny.

And it could be offered with the option of hybrid or electric power, according to two new reports out of Japan.

Japanese magazines Best Car and Magazine X – which have solid track records for inside ‘scoops’ on upcoming Toyota models – report a so-called ‘LandCruiser Mini’ is planned to reach showrooms sometime next year.

It will be the production version of the Compact Cruiser EV concept unveiled in 2021 – also referred to as the ‘LiteCruiser’, or ‘Yaris Cruiser’ in some of the company’s communications.

Although the Compact Cruiser concept was electric, the production version is tipped to use a petrol or diesel engine to broaden its appeal in markets where electric cars are not as widespread, particularly in rural areas.

Reports so far differ on whether it will use petrol or diesel power – and if there will be the option of hybrid and/or electric power for certain markets.

Toyota published a new teaser of the “baby” LandCruiser at the unveiling of the new Prado in Japan last month, showing a silhouette almost identical to the Compact Cruiser concept vehicle.

The overseas reports claim the LandCruiser Mini will be underpinned by a heavy-duty ladder frame, rather than the ‘TNGA-C’ car-derived architecture under the Corolla hatch and Corolla Cross, as some have anticipated.

MORE: Toyota teases two new LandCruisers

Illustration credit: Magazine X, September issue.

According to both outlets, it would be a similar size to – or slightly smaller than – the Corolla Cross small SUV in showrooms today, and about 400mm longer bumper to bumper than the new Suzuki Jimny five-door.

Magazine X claims it will measure approximately 4350mm long, 1860mm wide and 1880mm tall – more than half a metre shorter nose to tail, but only 120mm narrower, and almost the same height as the new Prado, for a more imposing stance on the road.

Illustrations of the showroom vehicle – created by Best Car and Magazine X using information from their sources – show it will look very similar to the Compact Cruiser concept, and official Toyota teaser, with only small differences for the final version.

Circular headlights are reportedly planned (rather than the rectangular lenses on the concept car), along with a tailgate-mounted spare tyre – something the Prado has dropped for its latest generation.

Toyota Compact Cruiser EV concept (aka Yaris Cruiser, or LiteCruiser)

Where the rival Japanese publications differ is the engine that will sit under the bonnet, and the level of electrification – either hybrid or electric propulsion – that will be offered.

Best Car speculated – without confirmation from its Toyota insider sources – on the 2.0-litre petrol engine from the Corolla Cross, with or without hybrid technology, or the 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid from the larger RAV4.

In its original report published earlier this year, Magazine X said it expected “pure” internal-combustion engines only “with no electric technology, to facilitate maintenance in emerging markets.”

“It seems that it is difficult to install both internal combustion and electric technologies in a compact [vehicle] while using a [ladder] frame structure that is not space efficient. Therefore, [hybrids] and [plug-in hybrids] may not exist at this time. However, this has not been confirmed,” it said in its report.

Now Magazine X – in the latest issue of the magazine published this week – says it has learned the car may be available with engines from the Prado and HiLux, including the familiar 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

It claims the diesel engine may be offered as a hybrid in markets such as Japan, with an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission, and the battery under the boot floor – suggesting the ability to drive the wheels on electric power alone.

It is not to be confused with the mild-hybrid system in the new Toyota Prado – which can only power ancillaries, and cannot drive the wheels on electric power alone – which also uses the 2.8-litre diesel engine.

Magazine X reports a 2.7-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine is also planned, while work is underway on a battery-electric version – albeit at a “slow pace”.

“Apparently the priority is to make the [electric drivetrain] viable in the Tacoma pick up for North America [which would share the new SUV’s underpinnings], and after completion, the unit will be modified and used in the lower-ranked LandCruiser Mini,” Magazine X says.

The publication claims the LandCruiser Mini will be produced in South-East Asian countries including Thailand – where Toyota HiLux utes are produced for Australia – for export to Japan and other global markets, with a focus on Asia.

However it suggests electric versions could also be produced in Japan.

It is unclear if the project is related to the Toyota ‘Rangga’ compact ute planned to be produced in Indonesia from next year, with a focus on developing South-East Asian markets.

Magazine X speculates the LandCruiser Mini – which has reportedly been dubbed internally the “Jimny killer” – could be shown at the Tokyo motor show next month, but this is yet to be confirmed.

Illustrations via Best Car and Magazine X print issues except image top of story, click here.

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