Scoop! Toyota SA Motors will soon add a manual-gearbox version of the 2.8-litre GD-6 4-cylinder powertrain to its Land Cruiser 70 Series line-up. Here’s what you’ll pay…
Back in February 2024, Toyota South Africa Motors updated its long-running Land Cruiser 70 Series range, adding the option of a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Now, Cars.co.za can confirm this 4-cylinder motor will soon become available locally with a 5-speed manual gearbox, too.
From what we understand, this manual-equipped powertrain will be offered in both Land Cruiser 79 single-cab form and Land Cruiser 76 station-wagon guise, expanding the local 70 Series portfolio to 13 derivatives. As an aside, the 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel’s days appear to be numbered, with this motor no longer available locally in the 76-badged station wagon (but still offered in the Land Cruiser 79 single- and double-cab line-ups).
It seems that though the 2.8-litre (1GD-FTV) engine’s peak power remains 150 kW when specified with the 5-speed manual transmission, maximum torque falls to 450 Nm (from the auto version’s 500 Nm). Moreover, this peak twisting force is on tap over a narrower rev range: between 2 400 and 3 000 rpm in the case of the manual compared to broader bookends of 1 600 and 2 800 rpm for the auto.
So, where will these 2 new 4-pot manual derivatives fit it? Well, according to our information, the Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 5MT single cab will be priced at R887 000, which will see it slot in above the likewise manual-equipped 4.0-litre V6 (R765 500) and 4.2-litre straight-6 (R829 000).
For the record, that represents a saving of R30 100 compared with the Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 6AT single cab (R917 100). The Land Cruiser 79 4.5D-4D V8 LX 5MT single cab (R956 200), meanwhile, looks set to remain the flagship version of the 2-door 70 Series for the time being. Interestingly, the new gearbox option will not be offered (initially, at least) in the double-cab and “Troopy” body styles.
Meanwhile, it’s our understanding that the Land Cruiser 76 2.8GD-6 LX 5MT will be priced from R969 800, likewise making it R30 100 more affordable than the Land Cruiser 76 2.8GD-6 LX 6AT (R999 900). The Land Cruiser 76 4.5D-4D V8 LX 5MT (which had been priced at R1 076 800) is sadly no more, while the Land Cruiser 76 2.8GD-6 VX 6AT (R1 091 400) will ostensibly continue unchanged.
It’s interesting that Toyota has opted for a 5-speed manual gearbox rather than the 6-speeder mated to the same 2.8 GD-6 engine in the Hilux. Still, according to information released by Toyota’s Australian division, the Land Cruiser 70 Series’ new manual cog-swapper is distinct from the version used on other engines in the line-up.
Indeed, the Japanese firm’s representatives Down Under say the transmission “offers unique gear ratios and strengthened components to suit the usage of the Land Cruiser 70 Series”, adding that it was “designed to make the most of the 4-cylinder engine’s higher torque output, with shorter 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears to aid start-off performance, and a longer 5th gear to help improve fuel economy and reduce engine noise when cruising at highway speeds”.
The fresh powertrain option furthermore adopts a new flywheel compatible with a 12-inch clutch, providing what Toyota Australia describes as “excellent clutch-slip resistance”, while a triple synchronisation mechanism has been added for 1st gear to “enhance shifting operability”. The new 3-pedal derivatives also gain a dust seal for the rear-end plate to “prevent ingress of foreign matter” to the release bearing.
How much does Toyota’s Land Cruiser 70 Series cost in SA?
Land Cruiser 79 single cab:
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.0 V6 5MT single cab – R765 500
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.2D 5MT single cab – R829 000
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 5MT single cab – R887 000
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 6AT single cab – R917 100
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.5D-4D V8 LX 5MT single cab– R956 200
Land Cruiser 79 double cab:
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.0 V6 5MT double cab – R864 600
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.2D 5MT double cab – R920 800
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 2.8GD-6 6AT double cab – R1 009 000
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4.5D-4D V8 LX 5MT double cab– R1 039 200
Land Cruiser 78 Troopy:
Toyota Land Cruiser 78 4.2D 5MT – R900 100
Land Cruiser 76 station wagon:
Toyota Land Cruiser 76 2.8GD-6 LX 5MT – R969 800
Toyota Land Cruiser 76 2.8GD-6 LX 6AT – R999 900
Toyota Land Cruiser 76 2.8GD-6 VX 6AT – R1 091 400
The prices above include Toyota’s 3-year/100 000 km warranty, while a service plan is optional (with intervals of 5 000 km in the case of the 4.2-litre motor and 10 000 km for all other engines).
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