Toyota Mega Cruiser
{{Short description|Full-size four-wheel-drive SUV}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox automobile
|name=Toyota Mega Cruiser
|image=JASDF Toyota Mega Cruiser(45-5910) left front view at Hamamatsu Air Base October 20, 2019 01.jpg
|caption=A Toyota Mega Cruiser BXD20 used by the Japanese-Air Self Defense Forces at Hamamatsu Air Base.
|manufacturer=Toyota
|production=1995–2001
3,000 produced
|body_style=4-door SUV
|related=
|weight= {{convert|2850|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
|wheelbase= {{convert|3395|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|length= {{convert|5090|mm|in|1|abbr=on|}}
|width= {{convert|2170|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|height= {{convert|2075|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|engine= 4.1L 15B-FTE I4 (turbo-diesel)
|transmission=4-speed Aisin A443F automatic
|layout= Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
|assembly= Japan: Gifu (Gifu Auto Body){{cite web |url=https://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-mega-cruiser-25-years |title=Toyota Mega Cruiser: 25 years of the daddy of SUVs |publisher=Toyota |location=UK |date=2020-06-25 |access-date=2020-07-05}}
}}
The {{nihongo|Toyota Mega Cruiser|{{langx|ja|トヨタ・メガクルーザー}}|Toyota Megakurūzā}} is a large, heavy-duty four-wheel-drive SUV introduced by Toyota in 1995. As the largest 4WD vehicle ever built by Toyota, its design resembles that of the Humvee and Hummer H1.{{cite web |url=http://www.toyota.co.jp/Museum/data/magazine77/magazine77_6.pdf |title=GM・ハマーH1 |trans-title=GM/Hummer H1 |publisher=Toyota |location=Japan |author=Shimizu Michiaki |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121125542/http://www.toyota.co.jp/Museum/data/magazine77/magazine77_6.pdf |archive-date=2015-01-21 |url-status=dead}}
Like the Humvee, the Mega Cruiser was originally designed primarily for military use{{cite web |url=https://drivetribe.com/p/heres-why-the-toyota-mega-cruiser-QCuFpffOQRGfwItuA4aJiQ?iid=JqEBi8XaRwG82kwE33JjZA |title=Here's why the Toyota Mega Cruiser is better than a Hummer |first=Ben |last=Welham |work=Drive Tribe |location=UK |year=2019 |access-date=2020-07-05}} with the vehicle seeing duty as a transport vehicle in the Japan Self Defense Forces (see :ja:高機動車).{{cite news |url=https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/feature-articles/toyota-mega-cruiser-is-the-only-japanese-surplus-vehicle-we-want |title=Toyota Mega Cruiser is the only Japanese surplus vehicle we want |first=Vernon B. |last=Sarne |work=Top Gear |location=The Philippines |date=2014-11-21 |access-date=2020-07-05}}
Sold exclusively in Japan via Toyota Store locations, the Mega Cruiser was also used by prefectural police, the Japan Auto Federation and fire/rescue departments. As of 2020, it was reported that Toyota had produced 3,000 units before production was halted.{{cite news |url=https://www.automobilemag.com/news/toyota-mega-cruiser-history-hummer-h1-photos-specs/ |title=Toyota Mega Cruiser: Did You Know Toyota Made a Hummer H1 Lookalike? |first=Aaron |last=Gold |work=Automobile |location=US |date=2019-11-09 |access-date=2020-07-05}} A total of 133 Mega Cruisers were sold to civilians.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/news/31247/the-1995-toyota-mega-cruiser-king-of-off-roaders-is-legal-to-import-in-2020|title=The 1995 Toyota Mega Cruiser, King of Off-Roaders, Is Legal to Import in 2020|first=James|last=Gilboy|website=The Drive|date=31 December 2019 }}
History
A prototype of the Toyota Mega Cruiser was first presented to the public at the 30th Tokyo Motor Show in October 1993.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gifubody.co.jp/global/message/history.html|title=History of Gifu Auto Body |publisher=Gifu Auto Body Co., Ltd.}} Production began in late 1995{{Cite web|url=https://www.bosshunting.com.au/motors/toyota-mega-cruiser-hummer-rival/|title=Toyota's Mega Cruiser Is An Ultra-Rare Hummer Rival|date=17 April 2019|website=Boss Hunting}} at Toyota's Gifu Auto Body subsidiary before sales began in 1996.
All Mega Cruiser production was reported to have been halted in 2001 while sales officially ended in 2002.{{cite web |url=https://4.files.edl.io/74f9/11/02/18/144846-ecac3a04-67b9-4a75-8a63-59d963a94355.pdf |title=The Toyota Mega Cruiser is the Twenty-Year-Old Japanese Behemoth You Have Never Heard Of |last=Kobasa |first=Peter |website= 4.files.edl.io|access-date=2020-07-05}} The reason being slow sales due to strict vehicle taxes and Japan having a lot of narrow streets.
Some Mega Cruisers were sold overseas from Japan as grey imports.{{Cite web |url=https://jalopnik.com/the-toyota-mega-cruiser-is-25-years-old-you-know-what-1844031085 |title=The Toyota Mega Cruiser Is 25 Years Old. You Know What That Means. |first=Max |last=Finkel |date=2020-04-16 |access-date=2020-07-26 |website=Jalopnik |location=US}}
Development
The Mega Cruiser was designed as a 4-door full-size SUV and features a 4.1 L turbo diesel inline-4 engine. The engine was rated at {{cvt|153|hp|kW|0|order=flip}} and {{cvt|282|lbft|Nm|0|order=flip}} of torque at 1,800 rpm{{cite web | last=Golden | first=Conner | title=Just Listed: 1998 Toyota Mega Cruiser | website=Automobile Magazine | date=2017-08-24 | url=https://www.automobilemag.com/news/just-listed-1998-toyota-mega-cruiser/ | access-date=2020-07-05}} while also being very robust. A 4-speed Aisin-Warner automatic transmission with a two-speed transfer case transfers power to all four wheels.
Its wheelbase is {{convert|3,395|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} and it is {{convert|5,090|mm|in|0|abbr=on|}} in length. The vehicle is {{convert|2,075|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} high and {{convert|2,170|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} wide. It has a load capacity of 600 kg and has a curb weight of {{convert|2,850|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=https://global.toyota/en/detail/7882359 |title=Toyota Introduces the Mega Cruiser |publisher=Toyota |date=1996-01-09 |access-date=2020-07-19}} The SUV featured front, center, and rear differential locks, as well as four wheel steering. It has a central tire pressure system installed as an optional feature and has a hardtop roof. The Mega Cruiser has seats for two people in front and four people at the back.
The vehicle was intended to test designs that would eventually make their way into mass-produced Toyota SUVs, such as the Land Cruiser, but was financially unsuccessful for Toyota.
While the Mega Cruiser was produced by Toyota in RHD configuration,{{Cite web |url=https://topgear.com.sg/features/the-toyota-mega-cruiser-is-the-ultimate-japanese-suv |title=The Toyota Mega Cruiser is the ultimate Japanese SUV |work=Top Gear |location=Singapore |date=16 June 2020 |access-date=29 July 2020}} a few were reported to be made in LHD configuration.{{cite web |url=https://www.motorbiscuit.com/in-2020-youll-be-able-to-import-japans-hummer-the-toyota-mega-cruiser/ |title=In 2020, You'll Be Able to Import Japan's Hummer, the Toyota Mega Cruiser |date=2 January 2020 |website=Motor Biscuit |access-date=26 July 2020}} As of 2020, around 12 were known to have been produced in LHD.{{cite web | title=Toyota Mega Cruiser Is Japan's Off-Road Dinosaur You Can Now Import In The US | website=Carscoops | date=2020-01-05 | url=https://www.carscoops.com/2020/01/toyota-mega-cruiser-is-the-coolest-off-road-dinosaur-you-can-now-import-in-the-us/ | access-date=2020-07-05}}
Variants
=Mega Cruiser (BXD10)=
File:JGSDF High Mobility Vehicle(06-9502) left front view at Camp Akeno November 4, 2017.jpg
The BXD10 version was made for military purposes such as personnel and military equipment transportation. In JSDF service it was called High Mobility Vehicle, or HMV.{{cite web|url= https://rikuzi-chousadan.com/soubihin/sourin/koukidou.html|title=高機動車|access-date=Jan 9, 2023|language=ja}}
{{clear}}
=Missile launcher (BXD10)=
File:JGSDF_Koukidousha_(TOYOTA)_10.jpg
A modified BXD10 mounting the Type 93 Surface-to-air missile, produced by Toshiba Heavy Industries.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}
{{clear}}
=Mega Cruiser (BXD20)=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web |url=http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/MegaCruiser/index.html |title=Toyota Mega Cruiser |publisher=Toyota |location=Japan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000520101224/http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/MegaCruiser/index.html|archive-date=2000-05-20 |url-status=dead}}
- {{cite web |url=https://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/vehicle_lineage/car/id60012597/index.html |title=75 Years of TOYOTA {{!}} Mega Cruiser |publisher=Toyota |year=2012 |access-date=2022-11-03}}
- {{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvZbKpwHT5g |title=The Toyota Mega Cruiser Is a Crazy Hummer From Toyota |first=Doug |last=DeMuro |via=YouTube |date=2022-10-04 |access-date=2022-11-03}}
{{Commons category|Toyota Mega Cruiser}}
{{Toyota cars}}
{{Toyota road light truck/SUV/crossover timeline, 1985–date}}
Category:Full-size sport utility vehicles
Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles
Category:Military light utility vehicles
Category:Post–Cold War military equipment of Japan
Category:Military vehicles of Japan