Published on May 15th, 2023 | by Sounder Rajen

Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series Set to Show Major Changes

The new Toyota LandCruiser 70 series will include features from the Hilux

The Toyota LandCruiser 70 series is set to be revised with some major changes in Australia. Some of them are even supposed to be borrowed from the current generation Toyota Hilux pickup truck. Many details and specs have yet to be confirmed, but what we do know is that the 2.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine will be featured under the bonnet.

This means that other tech and features like an automatic transmission, for the first time in more than 30 years after the original four-speed automatic which was only introduced from 1985 to 1990, are also on the table. Not much else has been confirmed but the automatic transmission is sure to boost the Toyota LandCruiser 70 series sales.

Moreover, Toyota expects to re-open orders for the LandCruiser 70 series in Australia by the end of the year after being paused since the middle of 2022 due to overwhelming demand. Now with the addition of the 2.8 litre turbo diesel will join the popular 4.5 litre V8 turbo diesel.

The addition of the 2.8 litre four-cylinder will give the already well received Toyota LandCruiser 70 series will offer more power and torque as well as even better fuel economy and lower emissions than the V8 without sacrificing towing, payload, or off-road capabilities.

While the four-cylinder engine outputs for the new Toyota LandCruiser 70 series are yet to be confirmed, the unit in the Hilux pickup truck currently makes a maximum of 165kW of power and 550Nm of torque while the V8 in the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series makes 151kW of power and 430Nm of torque.

On top of that, a mild-hybrid version of the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel is also under development and set to be revealed soon. This powertrain option is meant to be used in the Hilux, Prado and Fortuner though it is unclear whether this powertrain will be used in the Toyota LandCruiser as well.

Apart from the four-cylinder engine, the new Toyota LandCruiser 70 series is expected to also include other upgrades such as a new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Toyota Hilux steering wheel that came with the 70^th anniversary edition in 2021 along with minor cosmetic changes to the exterior.

Now, it should be noted that Toyota Australia did not comment on any future model plans, however Toyota dealers in Australia have been advised to expect “a big change” to the LandCruiser 70 series as it approaches its 40^th production anniversary and is one of the oldest new Toyota vehicles still on sale today.