Toyota ditches V8 model
Toyota New Zealand has dropped the 4.5-litre V8 engine and manual transmission options from its Land Cruiser 70 line-up as part of efforts to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its fleet.
Orders for such models closed during April and the company’s range of Land Cruiser 70 vehicles has now been reduced to four core models.
They will all be available with the latest generation Toyota diesel powertrain technology and powered exclusively by the 1GD four-cylinder, 2.8-litre turbo diesel automatic engine.
Andrew Davis, chief strategic officer, says the time has come to retire the V8-powered model as Toyota NZ seeks to keep the Land Cruiser 70 heritage while reducing CO2 emissions.
“We acknowledge it was a legendary powertrain, but we are confident the complete switch to the 1GD four-cylinder and auto transmission gives a better option for customers,” he explains.
“This powertrain will offer better in-use performance with a smoother operation and better ride quality, which customers have been quick to praise.”
Davis adds the Land Cruiser 70 will be available in four grades – the LT ute with either a two-door single cab or four-door double cab, the LX double cab ute and the LX wagon.
“The single and double-cab Land Cruiser 70s are incredibly resilient and tough vehicles,” he continues.
“While the range has been updated in the past year to carry LED headlights, cruise control, and touchscreens, the core of the vehicle is relatively unchanged with a strong ladder chassis design and build quality and durability second to none.
“Land Cruiser 70 is literally designed and built to go places and tackle those tough jobs right across New Zealand.”
The vehicle was first offered with the 1GD engine, which also features in the Hilux, Hiace and Land Cruiser Prado, in 2024.
The engine has a combined town and country fuel economy of 10.6L/100km and combined exhaust emissions of 279g/km compared with 316g/km for the V8.
The 1GD option also delivers output of 150kW and torque of 500Nm, which compares with 151kW and 430Nm respectively from the V8.
