Toyota has just released the first official pictures of the refreshed 2012 Land Cruiser. This marks the SUV’s first major update since its launch in 2007.

Aesthetically the Land Cruiser doesn’t evolve much and the biggest change is a more aggressive front bumper. Other updates include new headlights with a row of LEDs, and an updated grille with chrome accents. Around back, the taillights have been very slightly redesigned.

Where the Land Cruiser really evolves is under the skin. Toyota has developed what it calls a multi-terrain monitor that uses a four small cameras mounted around the car to display road conditions on a dash-mounted screen.

The 2012 Land Cruiser is also available with a multi-terrain select system which allows the driver to change the traction control and the brake settings based on the terrain. The options available are rock, rock & dirt, mogul, loose rock and mud & sand.

The last bit of new technology packed into this body-on-frame SUV is a turn-assist function that decreases the turning radius. It can only be turned on at very low speeds.

On the Japanese market, the Land Cruiser gets a 4.6 V8 that churns out 318 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed sequential transmission is the only unit offered.

The refreshed Land Cruiser will go on sale in Japan on January 6th, 2012. Prices start at 4.4 million yen, or about $56,500.

International versions of the Land Cruiser are expected to follow roughly the same redesign, at least on the outside. The updated version for the European market will make its debut at the Brussels Motor Show that will run from January 12th to the 22nd of next year.