One of the oldest cars on Australian roads has benefited from significant changes, though they come at an eye-watering cost.
2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series with four-cylinder turbo diesel engine
Toyota has jacked up the prices on its rugged LandCruiser 70 Series range, charging almost $9000 more for customers to get hold of its classic four-wheel-drive.
The iconic machine has a strong following in Australian and beyond, thanks to no-nonsense underpinnings that date back to the 1980s.
Toyota has updated the LandCruiser 70 Series.
Toyota is slowly dragging the 70 Series into the future with the addition of an automatic transmission and four-cylinder engine borrowed from the more modern HiLux.
It also has a redesigned front end with circular LED headlamps that have an automatic high beam function to prevent you dazzling other drivers.
On the inside, a 6.7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto joins an updated dashboard with retro fonts.
An automatic transmission represents the most significant change to the car.
But the big news for the new 70 Series is the option of a four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota says the “1GD” four-cylinder 2.8-litre turbo-diesel makes 150kW and 500Nm, and benefits from improved cooling and oil supply compared to the HiLux, as well as a new balance shaft to improve refinement.
The four-cylinder engine is standard on all models in the range.
Toyota’s LandCruiser range has a long waiting list.
Priced from $75,600 to $83,500 plus on-road costs in four-cylinder form, the new 70 Series costs about $4000 more than the outgoing V8 model.
The old car’s 4.5-litre turbo diesel V8 and a five-speed manual transmission remain available on all but the cheapest “WorkMate” wagon as a $4100 option.
Which means that, like-for-like, a V8 LandCruiser 70 Series costs up to $8800 more than before.
A long waiting list for the V8 will make it hard for customers who are not already in the queue to get hold of one in the near future.
Toyota introduced the V8-powered 70 Series in 2007.
Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley, said the new machine is ready to go to work.
“Introducing the new automatic transmission, four-cylinder powertrain to the LandCruiser 70 Series range will broaden its appeal even further, making it more accessible to a wider cross-section of customers than ever before.
“Along with the upgrades to safety, convenience and styling, there has never been a better time to own a LandCruiser 70 Series.”
Keyword: Toyota reveals price jump for 70 Series