Toyota Australia has revealed a heavily revised LandCruiser 70 Series, and it brings the first automatic transmission option this model has ever had, alongside styling, safety and technology updates. The upgraded 70 Series is due to reach Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2023.
It's the biggest overhaul the 70 has seen in some time. The changes cover the engine, the exterior, the interior and the safety kit across all four body styles.
At a Glance
- New 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel makes 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm between 1600rpm and 2800rpm, paired only with a six-speed automatic.
- The 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel (151kW, 430Nm) carries on with a five-speed manual gearbox.
- Redesigned front end references the classic LandCruiser 40 Series look.
- New 6.7-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on every grade.
- Toyota Safety Sense added, including lane departure alert, road sign recognition and automatic high beam.
The big news is the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel. It makes 150kW at 3400rpm and peak torque of 500Nm between 1600rpm and 2800rpm.
That's 70Nm more torque than the V8 diesel, which matters if you're towing heavy or working rough country. The four-cylinder comes only with the six-speed automatic, and you can get it in three Single Cab grades (Workmate, GX and GXL) plus Workmate and GXL grades for the Double Cab, Troop Carrier and Wagon.
The long-serving 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel stays, with 151kW at 3400rpm and 430Nm from 1200rpm to 3200rpm. It keeps the five-speed manual and covers the same grades and body styles, except the Wagon, where the V8 comes in GXL only.
The front end has been redesigned, and Toyota says it references the LandCruiser 40 Series. Inside, the instrument cluster and centre console have been reworked for better ergonomics, with a 4.2-inch multi-information display in the cluster.
The multimedia system steps up to a 6.7-inch touchscreen on every grade, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota Safety Sense also arrives in the 70 for the first time, bringing lane departure alert, road sign recognition (speed signs only) and automatic high beam as standard.
Toyota Australia's President, Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, said the upgrades widen the model's appeal without losing what owners value. "Now with a new powertrain including an automatic transmission for the first time, along with the significant increase in safety and convenience technology, the LC70 is an ideal vehicle for those working rural properties or as a tool of trade and recreational users heading off on an outback adventure," Mr Hanley said.
Full Australian specifications and pricing are expected closer to the local launch later in 2023. That's when you'll see where the automatic and manual variants sit against each other in the lineup.
If you already own a 70, a factory auto and an engine with more torque are worth watching. Wait for the confirmed specs and prices before you plan your next build.
