Toyota Australia has added a double-cab ute to its LandCruiser 70 Series lineup, citing strong demand from the mining sector and rural and regional customers. The new LC79 Double Cab arrives in late September 2012, becoming the fourth body style in the range alongside the single cab-chassis, troop carrier and wagon.
Australia is the first country in the world to receive the variant, which is offered in two grades, Workmate and GXL, both sharing the same core hardware underpinning the rest of the 70 Series range.
At a Glance
- LC79 Double Cab on sale late September 2012, priced from $63,990 (Workmate) and $67,990 (GXL), excluding on-road costs.
- Australia is the first market in the world to receive the new body style.
- Both grades use the 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 producing 151kW at 3400rpm and 430Nm from 1200rpm to 3200rpm, paired with a five-speed manual and part-time 4WD.
- Rated one-tonne payload capacity with seating for five adults.
- Production upgrades applied across the range include standard anti-skid brakes, an A-pillar snorkel, improved seats and a Bluetooth-capable audio system.
Both Double Cab grades are fitted with the 4.5-litre 32-valve common-rail direct-injection turbo-diesel V8, which is Euro IV compliant and features an intercooler. Power is rated at 151kW at 3400rpm, while peak torque of 430Nm is reached at just 1200rpm and held through to 3200rpm, which Toyota describes as the flattest torque curve of any engine in its lineup. Drive goes through a five-speed manual transmission and a part-time 4WD system with two-speed transfer case. Both grades carry a 130-litre fuel tank.
The Workmate grade opens at $63,990 and comes with 16-inch steel split rims, aluminium side steps, vinyl seat facings and floor coverings, black bumpers and an optional differential lock. The GXL, priced from $67,990, adds 16-inch alloy wheels, over-fender flares, remote central locking, standard differential locks, fog lamps, power windows, carpet and cloth seats. Seven exterior colours are available across both grades.
The Double Cab also benefits from a series of production updates applied to the broader 70 Series range, including anti-skid brakes fitted as standard across all grades, an air-inlet snorkel mounted on the A pillar, improved seats, an in-dash multi-function clock and an audio and CD system with Bluetooth hands-free calling, audio streaming and voice-recognition phone and audio control.
Toyota Australia's Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Matthew Callachor, said demand for the configuration had been clear for some time, with customers already modifying wagon variants to achieve a similar result.
"The 70-Series is so popular for the really tough jobs that customers have been modifying the wagon version to provide the flexibility of a double-cab ute," Mr Callachor said. "The double cab will carry five adults as well as providing a one-tonne payload for their heavy gear, such as surveying equipment."
Mr Callachor noted the appeal extended beyond the resources sector. "For other customers, including farmers, the large cabin will allow the touring benefits of a dual-cab ute along with the legendary LandCruiser toughness," he said.
The 70 Series has been in production in various forms for several decades. The wagon body style and 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 were introduced during a major facelift in 2007, and dual front airbags became standard across all variants in 2009. Toyota notes that buyer loyalty within the nameplate is exceptionally strong, with the majority of purchasers replacing an existing 70 Series vehicle.
For the full 70 Series range, wagon grades are priced from $59,990 (Workmate) and $64,290 (GXL); troop carrier grades from $65,790 (Workmate) and $67,990 (GXL); and single cab-chassis grades from $58,790 (Workmate), $60,790 (GX) and $62,790 (GXL). All prices exclude dealer delivery, government and statutory charges and optional extras.
The arrival of a factory double-cab option removes the need for the aftermarket conversions that 70 Series owners have long relied on to achieve this configuration.
