Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series could start to lose its V8 heart as early as 2024: report

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Toyota could ditch the Land Cruiser 70 Series’ iconic 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine if reports turn out to be true. 

A recent article published by South African automotive outlet cars.co.za indicates that the V8 could be pulled from sale as soon as August 2024 for the 76 Series body style, and then the 79 Series Land Cruiser ute with V8 power in August 2025. 

As many will already know, for 2024, the Land Cruiser 70 Series has been made available for the first time with a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine shared with the Toyota Hilux and the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. 

The four-cylinder unit makes more torque than the 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine and is claimed to be more fuel efficient, also. 

According to the Australian Green Vehicle Guide, the Land Cruiser’s 4.5-litre V8 currently emits a combined 280g/km of CO2 when compared to the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel Hilux engine, which emits a combined 220g/km of C02.

Toyota remains focused on the hybridisation of its fleet, however it does have an array of electric vehicles in the works, set for a later release around 2026. 

What could a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series look like?

It’s possible that the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series might go hybrid sometime around 2025 or 2026 in accordance with expected new emissions standards here in Australia. 

Toyota has already confirmed that it will bring a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance very soon. This engine configuration could one day end up in a Land Cruiser 70 Series. 

A 2025 70 Series could also be powered by a V6 engine in the future, such as the engine found in the current 300 Series Land Cruiser wagon, or even the I-Force Max petrol engine found in the upcoming Toyota Tundra. 

Toyota has previously gone on the record to say that the mild-hybrid systems designed for future Hilux and potentially Land Cruiser are safe even in the wildest of conditions, such as driving through water crossings and deep mud, for instance. 

Many automakers selling cars locally have voiced their concerns that transitioning away from diesel-powered vehicles – especially commercial-based vehicles – in Australia will be difficult, considering its widespread popularity not just in the private sector but also for the trucking and commercial industries.