Abschied vom V8-Diesel: Australiens Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Lebt Weiter mit Schaltgetriebe

The Toyota Land Cruiser's 4.5-liter V8 diesel engine is no longer in production. However, the option to purchase the SUV with a manual transmission still exists if you're willing to relocate to Australia. When Toyota released the new 300 series Land Cruiser in 2021, it did not come with a V8 engine, nor was it available for purchase in the United States. Fast forward to 2023, and the 250 series hits the market; while it's accessible in North America, a V8 engine is not an option, and there isn't even one with six cylinders available.

A third model of the Land Cruiser can be found in select markets. It used to feature a hefty V8 engine, however, this is no longer the case. The Series 70, which was launched four decades ago, continues to be available for purchase in Australia. Unfortunately, the venerable 4.5-liter turbo diesel V8 engine has been discontinued.

The press team at Toyota Australia has cited "evolving regulations and societal expectations" as the reason for discontinuing the diesel engine. The phase-out has been anticipated for some time, given that the order books were closed almost two years ago. Although production will continue for some time to fulfill existing orders, the company will not accept any new orders for vehicles equipped with the 1VD-FTV engine.

The initial models to cease production include the four-door wagon and the two-door troop carrier, both technically classified as SUVs. Toyota Australia will halt manufacturing these two variants in September 2024, alongside the discontinuation of the single and double cab pickups in the GX trim level.

The final units of these four equipment options are set to be delivered to customers before the year's end. Meanwhile, the GXL model pickups will continue to be available until the end of next year, with the last batch expected to reach buyers in the last quarter of 2025.

Toyota has discontinued the V8 engine from its lineup, however, the five-speed manual transmission will still be available to consumers. Starting in October, Toyota plans to introduce a 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine paired with a manual transmission. This four-cylinder engine will produce 204 horsepower and will also be available with a six-speed automatic transmission, although it should be noted that the torque will decrease from 500 to 450 Nm.

Photo Gallery: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series (Japanese Domestic Market)

This is the same manual transmission from the previous V8 model, but with altered gear ratios. The initial three gears have been shortened to enhance acceleration. Meanwhile, the fifth gear has been extended, resulting in improved fuel economy and a quieter cabin when traveling at faster speeds.

Australia isn't the only market where Toyota continues to sell the Land Cruiser generation that debuted in 1984. The 70 Series was reintroduced in Japan at the end of last year, featuring a fender-mounted side mirror. Additionally, the LC70 is available in the United Arab Emirates, equipped with a V6 engine for both the three-door and five-door SUV models.

Over the years, the 70's series Land Cruiser has undergone several updates, with the most recent one in 2023, introducing contemporary features such as a 6.7-inch touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay through a wired connection. This versatile SUV/pickup is also equipped with automatic high beams, traffic sign recognition, and a lane-keeping assist feature. Additionally, models with automatic transmission benefit from a hill descent control system.

The legendary off-road vehicles Land Cruiser and Mercedes G:

Despite being one of the longest-standing models available, there's still a strong market interest. In Australia, new orders are facing a delivery wait time of well over six months, and at one point, customers even faced a four-year wait period.

It's easy to see why, in an era where cars are increasingly packed with complex technologies that are seldom used, the vehicle remains a favorite. The LC70's simplicity adds to its appeal, particularly when dependability is a top priority, as there are fewer components that could potentially malfunction.

Source: Automotive Specialist

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