The refreshed Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series is on its way to SA and we’ve unearthed details of the expanded local line-up, which gains the 2.8 GD-6 engine, an auto transmission and a new VX-badged flagship derivative…

The updated Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series was revealed in August 2023 in Japan, complete with fresh exterior and interior styling. Now, ahead of this revised J70-generation model’s imminent launch in South Africa, Cars.co.za has unearthed fascinating details of the expanded local line-up.

So, what’s new? Well, the refreshed 70 Series range will again comprise Land Cruiser 76 station wagon, Land Cruiser 78 wagon (or “Troopy”) and Land Cruiser 79 (single- and double-cab) bakkie derivatives. However, according to our information, the portfolio will swell from 8 variants to 12, thanks to the addition of the 2.8 GD-6 powertrain.

Also read: Land Cruiser V8 to be retired in 2024

In Mzansi, 4 derivatives in the Land Cruiser 70 Series range will use the 2.8 GD-6 powertrain.

Available in both the 76 and 79 line-ups (but seemingly not the 78), the 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel – familiar from the Hilux, Fortuner and Land Cruiser Prado line-ups – here generates peak outputs of 150 kW (at 3 400 r/min) and 500 Nm (at 1 600 r/min). Drive is delivered to all 4 wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission, with the latter option being a first for the 70 Series range.

Our understanding is that 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) will soldier on as part of the local line-up – for the time being, at least. As a reminder, each of these older motors comes standard with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

In total, Toyota SA Motors will offer 4 derivatives featuring the 2.8 GD-6 powertrain. There’s the Land Cruiser 79 2.8 GD-6 6AT single cab, the Land Cruiser 79 2.8 GD-6 6AT double cab, the Land Cruiser 76 2.8 GD-6 6AT station wagon and the Land Cruiser 76 2.8 GD-6 VX 6AT station wagon.

For the first time, the Land Cruiser 70 Series will be available with an automatic transmission.

In addition, we believe all 2.8-litre models will score additional safety equipment, including vehicle stability control, active traction control, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, hill-ascent control and down-ascent control. The pair of 4-cylinder station wagons, meanwhile, will furthermore gain cruise control. No word yet on braked towing capacity for the new derivatives.

So, what sets the new VX-badged station wagon model apart from the rest, besides its powertrain? Well, our information suggests the Land Cruiser 76 2.8 GD-6 VX 6AT will boast items such as leather upholstery (featuring “Land Cruiser” embroidery), a new 4-speaker sound system, sound deadening for the door panels, a reverse-view camera, a console fridge and a steel front bumper, the latter complete with a winch.

This is the Aussie-spec GXL, which should be similar to our Land Cruiser 76 2.8 GD-6 VX 6AT.

As before, a service plan will be optional for all Land Cruiser 70 Series derivatives, with intervals of 10 000 km in each case (including for the new powertrain). Toyota’s 3-year/100 000 km warranty will again be standard.

As a reminder, the J70-generation Land Cruiser has been in production for nearly 40 years. It’s currently theoldest “new” vehicleavailable in South Africa, having been sold here in its current form (more or less) for more than 2 decades. Though Toyota SA Motors has yet to announce a launch date for the revised range, we believe the first units will arrive either late in 2023 or early in 2024. In the meantime, we’ll keep our ears close to the ground for pricing…

Revised Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series line-up for SA

Land Cruiser 76 4.5 V8 Station Wagon 5MT

Land Cruiser 76 2.8 GD-6 Station Wagon 6AT

Land Cruiser 76 2.8 GD-6 Station Wagon VX 6AT

Land Cruiser 78 4.2 Wagon (Troopy) 5MT

Land Cruiser 79 4.0 Single Cab 5MT

Land Cruiser 79 4.2 Single Cab 5MT

Land Cruiser 79 4.5 V8 Single Cab 5MT

Land Cruiser 79 2.8 GD-6 Single Cab 6AT

Land Cruiser 79 4.0 Double Cab 5MT

Land Cruiser 79 4.2 Double Cab 5MT

Land Cruiser 79 4.5 V8 Double Cab 5MT

Land Cruiser 79 2.8 GD-6 Double Cab 6AT

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