Iceland’s Arctic Trucks has been building Toyotas to tackle the ‘fire and ice’ landscape of its native country for more than three decades, so it didn’t take long for the company to launch its version of the new Land Cruiser 250.
To make the Cruiser capable of crossing absolutely any terrain Arctic Trucks has focused on giving it extra ground clearance. That required ‘reprofiling’ the frame, and fitting a 10-piece widebody package to accommodate new suspension, wheels and tyres.
There’s a wider track and a 40mm increase in height courtesy of Arctic Trucks and R53 two-way adjustable performance suspension, featuring longer-travel front coilovers and new rear springs and dampers. 17×10 Heritage dual-valve forged alloy wheels wear 37-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/AK03 or Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tyres, and the updated wheelarches incorporate a tyre pressure guide and central inflation system recess.
Arctic Trucks also widened the track and extended the wheelbase by relocating the rear axle which aids stability and comfort when negotiating extreme obstacles. Additional external add-ons include unique mud guards, new side steps and a two-inch multi-function receiver hitch for easy fitment of a tow ball, winch, gear carrier or even a barbecue. Inside, the updates are minor, with just a new gear selector, dash trim and carpets.
The project is the result of a joint venture between Arctic Trucks’ Icelandic HQ, its UK division and Toyota’s Africa distributor. “This collaboration of teams across the Arctic Trucks group has resulted in a vehicle that is truly fit for use in any market,” says Arctic Trucks International R&D Manager, Freyr Þórsson. “Combining our three decades of off-road expertise with technology and innovation from the UK supply chain has achieved outstanding results and reaffirms our ongoing commitment to delivering complete vehicle solutions for both work and play.”
The Arctic Trucks Land Cruiser 250 will be available from the second half of 2025 as an official Toyota dealership-supplied vehicle or as a customer conversion in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the U.S.A.
Most famous for creating the first vehicle to reach the Magnetic North Pole for Top Gear‘s 2007 Polar Special, Arctic Trucks has a long list of world records under its belt including the fastest overland journey to the South Pole, the longest distance expedition in Polar history, the first expedition to drive through all seven continents, the first Antarctic crossing by passenger vehicle and the first wheeled vehicle in history to travel from the Magnetic North to the South Pole. With its latest Land Cruiser the big question is where to next?
