The 1VD-FTV 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel has been in the LandCruiser 70 Series since 2007, and it's now headed for retirement. Toyota Australia confirmed on 8 July 2024 that order-taking for the V8, paused for nearly two years, won't reopen, and that final production runs are being scheduled across all body styles.
Toyota also announced a new five-speed manual gearbox for most four-cylinder 70 Series variants, available from October 2024 production.
At a Glance
- Final V8 production for the Wagon, Troop Carrier, and WorkMate and GX pick-ups is scheduled for September 2024, with deliveries expected late 2024 or early 2025.
- V8 production for the 79 Series GXL single and double cab variants runs into 2025, with dealer deliveries expected through to the final quarter of 2025.
- The new H153F five-speed manual comes from the V8's H150F unit, reworked with unique gear ratios for the 1GD 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.
- The 1GD makes 150kW at 3200-3400rpm and 450Nm of peak torque across a 1600-3000rpm band, 20Nm more than the outgoing V8.
- Since its 1985 introduction, Australians have bought 346,742 examples of the 70 Series, with almost half (171,010 vehicles) powered by the V8.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said shifting regulations and community expectations made the V8's retirement inevitable. "Bidding farewell to the V8 marks the end of one chapter and the start of another for the go-anywhere 70 Series, a vehicle that's renowned for its ruggedness, reliability and simply getting the job done," Mr Hanley said.
Mr Hanley said the only alternative to investing in the four-cylinder future of the nameplate was dropping the model entirely. "That was not an option," he said, noting that both Toyota Australia and its Japanese production team had committed significant resources to keeping the 70 Series in the line-up for years to come.
The new H153F manual gearbox is the centrepiece of that investment. It's adapted from the V8's H150F five-speed, with shorter first, second and third gears to sharpen off-the-line performance. First gear gets a triple synchronisation mechanism for smoother changes. Fifth runs longer than on the V8 unit, which cuts engine noise at highway speeds and improves fuel economy.
A new flywheel takes a 12-inch clutch for strong engagement and maximum power delivery. A dust seal on the rear end plate keeps foreign matter out of the release bearing, a durability measure specific to manual variants. Toyota noted that a front console box and Downhill Assist Control remain exclusive to automatic variants.
The new manual covers all body styles and grades from October production, apart from single cab and WorkMate Wagon variants. Pricing and fuel economy figures come closer to the on-sale date.
If you're one of the roughly 171,000 Australians who've owned a V8-powered 70 Series, or you're still waiting on allocation, you now have a timeline to work with. And if you want a four-cylinder and prefer to row your own gears, the new manual is a real mechanical upgrade.
