Toyota Land Cruiser Transforms Into Carbon Fiber Monster

If you’re heading off to explore the Sahara desert or venture into Australia’s outback, there’s only one vehicle that should be on your radar – Toyota’s Land Cruiser 300. Sadly, it won’t be heading to the States (although that may change soon) but, elsewhere, Japan’s ultimate off-roader does battle with a bevy of full-size SUVs.

Mostly purchased by practical people who have very little need for superfluous styling add-ons, this hasn’t stopped tuning companies from lending the brute an extra dose of aggression. The latest company to turn its hand to the Land Cruiser is Khann International. At first glance, it appears rather tasteful and restrained, but a closer inspection will quickly dispel that notion.

Bedecked in carbon fiber, the lightweight material sits at odds with the vehicle’s character. The wide-body kit adds even more width to the leviathan, with the fender flares giving it a more muscular look. Together with the rest of the kit, this will set buyers back a whopping $2,500.

Still, it’s not the most unnecessary addition; the trunk lid spoiler, at $1,350, doesn’t add anything to the overall styling of the mighty Land Cruiser and, frankly, looks tacky. The $5,200 hood cover isn’t particularly appealing, either. What we can’t find fault with is the set of 22-inch forged wheels that lend the Land Cruiser plenty of presence. You pay for all that style though, as they’re listed at $8,600. We can’t imagine they’re much help when off-road, though.

Equally appealing is the carbon-fiber front grille ($2,060). When fitted to a black-painted vehicle, it’s subtle and doesn’t detract from the sensible persona of the Land Cruiser. Elsewhere, buyers can opt to fit their Land Cruisers with additional carbon fiber touches ($2,240), as seen around the front fog lamp clusters and flared wheel arches. The mirror covers are less successful and feature a wing-like styling flourish on the upper bit of the mirror cap.

Still, it’s not the worst tuned SUV we’ve seen in recent months – by a long way. Some would agree that it’s still not as conspicuous as its Lexus-badged twin, the LX600.

Demand for the LC300 remains strong, with monied buyers willing to fork out massive sums of money for Toyota’s desert destroyer. In a statement to would-be buyers, Toyota previously warned customers that they could wait as long as four years for their new Land Cruiser. Those who lack the patience to wait for the latest model will be pleased to know there’s a company that can transform the previous generation into a near-replica of the current model.

With regards to the Khann International LC300, we don’t see much point in the upgrades. While it’s not overly offensive, the additions detract from the Land Cruiser’s off-roading abilities; the main reason for purchasing the SUV in the first place. There’s no word on whether the company offers interior or engine upgrades, either.