The head of Toyota SA says there’s a “good likelihood” of a turbodiesel engine being offered in the Land Cruiser FJ, though cautions it’s still a “couple of years” away…
- FJ tipped to eventually gain turbodiesel mill
- “Couple of years” away, says Toyota SA boss
- 2.8-litre GD-6 seems most likely candidate
The man at the helm of Toyota South Africa Motors says there’s a “good likelihood” of the new Land Cruiser FJ eventually becoming available in turbodiesel guise, though cautions such a move is potentially still a “couple of years” away.
As a reminder, the new Land Cruiser FJ officially hit dealers around South Africa on 18 May 2026. The FJ-badged ladder-frame SUV is offered exclusively with the Japanese brand’s long-in-the-tooth naturally aspirated 2.7-litre petrol engine – but that could eventually change.
Andrew Kirby, President and CEO of Toyota SA Motors, spoke to us about the new Land Cruiser FJ during an intriguing interview in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s SA Auto Week 2026 gathering in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal in October.
“There are no firm plans [to offer a turbodiesel engine in the new Land Cruiser FJ], but we think there’s a good likelihood that we’ll be able to get a diesel derivative. Not in the next couple of years, unfortunately, so it’s going to take us a little bit of time,” he said, adding that such a motor would “make a big difference to the performance of the vehicle”.
For the record, the FJ’s atmospheric 2.7-litre petrol mill (2TR-FE) is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard and generates peak outputs of 122 kW and 245 Nm. The part-time 4-wheel-drive system features with selectable “H2”, “H4” and “L4” modes, while the claimed fuel consumption is listed as 10.7 L/100 km.
Though Kirby didn’t state which turbodiesel engine might be under consideration for the Land Cruiser FJ, it’s thought to be Toyota’s 2.8-litre GD-6 motor (1GD-FTV), familiar from the likes of the Hilux, Fortuner, Land Cruiser 70 Series, Land Cruiser Prado and Quantum Bus.
In those models, the 4-cylinder oil-burner offers anywhere from 115 kW and 420 Nm to 165 kW and 550 Nm, though most iterations generate maximum figures of 150 kW and 500 Nm. Another option for the FJ might be the smaller-capacity 2.4 GD-6 engine (2GD-FTV), which makes 110 kW and 400 Nm.
Despite the lack of a turbodiesel option, sales of the Land Cruiser FJ – which starts at R714 000 – have been steady since launch. Some 127 units were registered in SA in its opening month, a figure that climbed to 264 units in June and 344 units in July. A further 255 units and 278 units were sold in August and September, taking the nameplate’s running tally to 1 268 units.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Toyota introducing a turbodiesel engine for the new Land Cruiser FJ?
A: While Toyota South Africa Motors President and CEO Andrew Kirby confirmed to Cars.co.za that there’s a “good likelihood” of a turbodiesel variant being added to the Land Cruiser FJ line-up, he cautioned that it is still a “couple of years” away from official launch.
Q: Which engine currently powers the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ in South Africa?
A: The Land Cruiser FJ is launched exclusively with Toyota’s naturally aspirated 2.7-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine (2TR-FE), delivering 122 kW and 245 Nm of torque via a 6-speed automatic transmission and a selectable part-time 4×4 system.
Q: Which turbodiesel engine is most likely to join the Land Cruiser FJ range in the future?
A: Although unconfirmed, Toyota’s 2.8-litre GD-6 turbodiesel (1GD-FTV) — which powers the Hilux, Fortuner and Prado — is considered the primary candidate. The smaller 2.4-litre GD-6 engine (110 kW/400 Nm) also serves as an alternative possibility.
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Ryan Bubear
Having written about everything from sport and politics to crime, Ryan eventually settled on motoring. For well over 15 years, he's been penning articles – both online and in print – about the broader automotive industry, though he's particularly fascinated by vehicle-sales statistics. A freelance writer and editor, Ryan has owned a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 for 20-plus years.
