Land Cruiser 80 Series

LAND CRUISER 80 SERIES
	By 1989, the 60-series was being driven more for leisure or family use as a town car than as an off-road vehicle. Over time, demand had increased for more fashionable and passenger car-like characteristics. Regular minor changes, all leading to greater luxury, were introduced. These changes eventually led to the transformation of the ever-popular 60-series into the new 80-series, released in October of 1989. The transition of the 60-series into the 80-series was more drastic than that from the 50-series to the 60-series. A number of new technologies were introduced, making the transition more revolutionary than evolutionary. The aim of the 80-series was to be at the forefront of both technology and luxury. Along with passenger car-like styling in the front design, wide tyres and large fenders gave it a bold effect, looking something like a luxury battleship that could cruise the land. It was a break from the trad ition of the Japanese 4x4. Still, accommodations remained for off-road applications, such as space in the instrument panel to install wireless equipment and a rail for mounting a roof carrier. It was large at 5 metres in length and 2 metres wide, with three engine types: two diesels and one petrol. For all but one model, it came with rigid coil springs in front and rear, and a full-time 4x4 power train. In August 1996 all models took on ABS and airbags as standard equipment. The 80-series was born in the favourable environment of an economic boom. However, it did not suffer when the boom cycle ended -- the 80-series lasted for nine years, getting larger and more luxurious until it was eventually replaced in January of 1998 with the 100-series Land Cruiser. The transition to the next generation was made when the 80-series still enjoyed a high level of popularity, much the same as had happened earlier when the 60-series made way for the 80-series.