It has been 16 years since there have been any changes to the local Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series powertrain line-up, but that recently changed with the car’s retro-looking facelift.
The Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series range is now available with a version of the HiLux‘s newer but still tried-and-tested 1GD-FTV 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which produces 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
This four-cylinder engine is available exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is a first for the iconic model.
When asked how Australian demand for the new four-cylinder and automatic-equipped LandCruiser 70 Series has been so far, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley told CarExpert it’s still “very early” but believes it “will get a lot of traction in the market”.
“We don’t think that it going to take over that segment,” said Mr Hanley.
“But we’re thinking, you know, 30 per cent take up won’t be outrageous up front. In fact, I think it could be a lot more than that.
“As time progresses I expect that when people drive and experience the LandCruiser 79 four-cylinder 2.8 auto, they’ll like what they see.”
It’s worth noting the LandCruiser 70 Series is still available with the venerable 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine and the five-speed manual transmission on the majority of body styles, though it costs $4100 more than four-cylinder-equipped variants.
As previously detailed, the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series range now starts at $75,600 before on-roads for the LandCruiser 76 Series Wagon WorkMate with the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.
It also now extends all the way to $87,600 before on-roads for the LandCruiser 79 Series double-cab chassis GXL with the 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel.
Automatic transmission-equipped models feature a power/haul mode, as well as a second start switch which starts the vehicle in second gear for better traction.
A transmission guard adds extra underbody protection for the oil pan, while the breather hose has been raised 900mm to assist water crossing performance.
At the front the updated LandCruiser 70 Series has new heritage-inspired circular LED headlights with automatic high-beam.
A black mesh grille with a heritage-inspired bonnet and turn signals, dark grey alloy wheels and overfenders are added on 76 and 79 Series GX and GXL models.
Inside, the updated LandCruiser 70 Series has a new 6.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice recognition and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’s also a 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, as well as a new-look speedometer and tachometer.
GXL grades gain two new USB-C ports in place of the existing 12V outlet, while the 76 Series Wagon gains a reversing camera.
All models get lane departure warning, speed sign recognition and automatic high-beam. This follows the standardisation of autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection across the range for 2023.
