Refreshed Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series Scores Hilux Engine

Toyota has unwrapped a refreshed version of its Land Cruiser 70 Series in Japan, handing the venerable off-roader the 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine from the Hilux…

Toyota has revealed what it describes as a “significantly upgraded” version of the Land Cruiser 70 Series, handing the J70-generation range the 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine already employed by the likes of the Hilux, Fortuner and outgoing Land Cruiser Prado (as well as the all-new version).

The unveiling of the updated model in Japan – which furthermore scores an automatic transmission – comes as the nameplate makes a return to its domestic market. Though Toyota South Africa Motors has yet to confirm when the revised 70 Series is due to make local landfall, we’d speculate an arrival date either late in 2023 or early in 2024.

“The LC70 refresh is on the cards for South Africa, however, we are unable to commit to introduction timing and model line-up just yet,” Riaan Esterhuysen, Toyota South Africa Motors’ senior manager of Product PR, told Cars.co.za. “The LC70 Series is a model where global demand often outstrips supply, and therefore global markets often follow different production and introduction timelines.”

Of course, in May 2023, Toyota’s local division told us it was “studying” the possibility of introducing this oil-burning 4-pot to the Land Cruiser 70 Series line-up, though added it would be able to confirm such a move only “towards the end of the year”.

In Land Cruiser 70 Series guise, the 2.8-litre turbodiesel mill generates 150 kW at 3 400 r/min and 500 Nm between 1 600 and 2 800 r/min. A 6-speed automatic transmission delivers drive to all 4 corners. This, of course, is an engine tune familiar from the likes of the Hilux and Fortuner.

As a reminder, the current Land Cruiser 79 bakkie line-up comprises 6 derivatives (3 single- and 3 double-cab variants), with the choice of a trio of engines. There’s the 4.0-litre V6 petrol unit (170 kW/360 Nm), the 4.2-litre straight-6 diesel motor (96 kW/285 Nm) and the 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel mill (151 kW/430 Nm).

The 8-cylinder 4.5D-4D engine is also employed by the Land Cruiser 76 station wagon, while the 4.2-litre oil-burner powers the special-order-only Land Cruiser 78 (aka Troopy). From what we understand, these current 70 Series engines will likely soldier on – rather than simply fall away – alongside the new 2.8 GD-6 option, though this has yet to be officially confirmed.

So, what other changes have been made to the Land Cruiser 70 Series? Well, there’s a redesigned front end that makes a clear reference to the design of the Land Cruiser 40 Series, along with a “styling refresh” inside. Indeed, the instrument cluster and centre console have been revised for “improved ergonomics, visual ease and practicality”, while a 4.2-inch multi-information display has been added.

Moreover, we know the Australian-market version will gain an upgraded multimedia system that features a 6.7-inch touchscreen compatible with (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Down Under, the Land Cruiser 70 Series will also score “substantially improved” safety technology in the form of lane departure alert, speed sign recognition and automatic high beams.

As a reminder, the J70-generation Land Cruiser has been in production for nearly 40 years. It’s currently the oldest “new” vehicle available in South Africa, having been sold here in its current form (more or less) for more than 2 decades.