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Just a few days ago, it was reported that the Japanese automotive giant Toyota is gearing up to introduce a new addition to the Land Cruiser family – the Toyota Land Hopper. Well, upon further investigation, it has now been reported that the company has filed trademark filings for this exact name. Most likely, the company will be launching this new model as a rival for the Suzuki Jimny and the Ford Bronco Sport in the international markets. It could also be launched in India as well.
Land Hopper’s Design and Styling
From the recently released rendered images from Autoevolution, it can be noted that the Toyota Land Hopper will draw inspiration from its much larger siblings. The rendered images show the upcoming Land Hopper boasting a boxy and rugged appearance. The front of the SUV could get a massive Toyota badge along with round all-LED headlights and DRLs. The front bumper will be made of blacked-out plastic and will boast a rectangular appearance with large air dams. The bonnet will be flat and short.
Moving on to the side profile, it will continue to boast the rectangular body shape and will get straight doors without a smooth body curve. This boxy look ties it with the other Land Cruiser models. The rendered iteration has been shown with a set of massive diamond-cut alloy wheels. Additionally, on the rear, it could get a sleek connected LED taillamp with a rugged bumper and a skid plate.
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Platform and Powertrains
Underneath its rugged exterior, the Land Hopper is expected to share its platform with the Toyota Corolla Cross. Internationally, this platform is known as TNGA-C. It is one of the most versatile platforms by Toyota and can accommodate various powertrains, including petrol and hybrid options. Additional reports have also stated that it could even get a potential electric version down the line.
At the moment, the exact powertrain configurations remain unknown. However, as per the reports, Land Hopper is likely to be offered with a variety of options to increase its popularity among buyers of different types. The Land Hopper could come equipped with a 1.8L gasoline NA engine, possibly coupled with a hybrid system, similar to the Corolla Cross.
Additionally, it could also be offered with a hybrid variant with a 2L gasoline engine and a 2.5L hybrid system, similar to the RAV4. Apart from these powertrain options, there are reports that have also suggested a 1.5L turbo hybrid engine.
Target Market and Competition
According to media reports, the Land Hopper is being designed to cater to the buyers who want a simple yet rugged crossover SUV experience. It has been stated that although it may look like a baby Land Cruiser, it might not be as capable due to its expected unibody construction rather than a body-on-frame design. Meanwhile, in terms of competition, the Land Hopper is expected to challenge other compact adventure SUVs like the Ford Bronco Sport and Suzuki Jimny.
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