Fresh Land Cruiser 70 Series also gets a 2.8 turbodiesel
Toyota has steered the King of Africa into a new era. You’ll notice the latest, sharpened-up Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series returns to round headlamps and a fresh grille and look, but the biggest news lurks under the bonnet. The seventy now also comes with a torque-rich four-cylinder automatic to help propel it into the future.
70 Series gets tried & tested Hilux 2.8
You should know the tried and tested 150 kW 500 Nm 2.8-litre four cylinder and it six-speed box well. They were nicked out of the Hilux, among other top Toyota models. Need any better introduction? The new combo come in all three single and double cab and station wagon ‘Cruiser 70 body shapes.
Best of all, while you can now also get the powerful and economical 2.8 four pot, both the naturally aspirated 4-litre petrol (in the bakkies) and 4.2-litre diesel straight-sixes, and the 4.5-litre turbodiesel V8 continue, continue with their 5-speed manual transmissions too.
Four-pot Tweaked for toughest conditions
The four-pot has undergone several modifications for its insertion to the 70 Series, mainly around cooling and low speed operation to ensure optimal performance in the toughest conditions and under heavy towing loads. All 70 Series models also retain their epic 3,500 kilogram braked towing capacity.
Moving down the drivetrain, the Land Cruiser 70 Series range continues with its tough as Africa part-time 4×4 with low-range. The tried and tested durable live axles and front coil suspension are still there. The new four-cylinder models however add front and rear locking differentials, and Downhill Assist Control.
Back to the future looks for 70 Series
Clearly influenced by previous generation Land Cruisers, these fresh new lines hark back to the future. A new black mesh grille with ‘TOYOTA’ in pride of place, sits above a 75 Series-like three-slot vent, and below the bonnet vent borrowed from the original 40 Series.
Grey metallic 16-inch alloys, a broad bumper and black over-fenders bring a certain sense of macho, too. The Station Wagon now also sports a steel bumper. Colours include the mandatory hearing aid beige, white, and metallic silver, graphite, ruby and blue. The LC78 Wagon comes exclusively in black or bronze.
70 STILL durable but smarter inside
Step aboard and 2.8 GD-6 versions durable get grey fabric chairs, but the Wagon VX adds leather upholstery. A new centre console opens up to a storage box, cupholder and multiple small item compartments. And an optional fridge, while the VX also adds Rockford Fosgate sound and a new reversing camera.
Station Wagons get new 60:40 split-folding-second-row seats that tumble forward to maximise cargo space. Upgraded multimedia brings a new screen and systems without taking away any of the good old knobs and buttons the Cruiser is famous for
Your King of Africa is waiting for you
All Land Cruiser 70 Series models come with a 3-year/100 000km warranty and an optional 100 000km service plan. Owners can also open a MyToyota profile for quick and convenient access to supplementary Connect services via wi-fi.
Fresh and ready to conquer, your King of Africa is waiting for you in its latest guise at any of the over 200 Toyota dealerships countrywide.
Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series Pricing Single Cab LC79 4.0 Petrol 5MT R765K Single Cab LC79 4.2 Diesel 5MT R829K Single Cab LC79 2.8 GD-6 Diesel 6AT R917K Single Cab LC79 4.5 Diesel V8 5MT R956K Double Cab LC79 4.0 Petrol 5MT R864K Double Cab LC79 4.2 Diesel 5MT R920K Double Cab LC79 2.8 GD-6 Diesel 6AT R1,009M Double Cab LC79 4.5 Diesel V8 5MT R1,039M Station Wagon LC78 4.2 Diesel 5MT R900K Station Wagon LC76 2.8 GD-6 Diesel 6AT R999K Station Wagon LC76 4.5 Diesel 5MT R1,076M Station Wagon LC76 2.8 GD-6 VX Diesel 6AT TBC