As expected, Toyota has officially pulled the pin on the cherished V8 in the LandCruiser 70 Series, with production coming to an end in 2025.
The new 2024 70 Series debuted with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine last year. However, buyers could option for the old 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 if they were prepared to wait some lengthy delivery delays. But now, Toyota Australia has confirmed the inevitable.
Toyota says the V8 will no longer be produced for the wagon (76 Series), the Troop Carrier (78), and GX versions of the ute (79) after September 2024, while the GXL single- and double-cab utes in V8 form will continue “well into next year”, with final deliveries finishing up by around the last quarter of 2025.
At the moment the only manual transmission option available is for the V8, with the 2.8L four-cylinder using a six-speed auto. Although it is good to see an auto option for the legendary workhorse, Toyota says it will be offering a new five-speed manual for the 2.8L in some variants.
The manual will be available from October this year for all 70 Series models except the single-cab ute and WorkMate wagon. Toyota Australia’s vice president of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, said:
“Bidding farewell to the V8 marks the end of one chapter and the start of another for the go-anywhere 70 Series – a vehicle that’s renowned for its ruggedness, reliability and simply getting the job done.
We continue to work closely with our production team to receive the maximum possible V8 allocation so that we can fulfil as many local customer V8 orders as possible.”
Over the years, since 1985 specifically, Toyota has delivered a whopping 346,742 examples of the 70 Series to customers in Australia. Almost half of those (171,010) are made up of the V8 model, first introduced in 2007.
As for the manual option for the 2.8, it will include a new H153F transmission which is different to the H150F five-speed that’s paired up to the V8. It features shorter first, second, and third gears, while fifth is longer to help with highway cruising and economy. It also features triple synchronisation for first gear to ensure a smooth shift.
While power output remains at 150kW for the 2.8 with the manual, torque is reduced to 450Nm (from 500Nm in the auto). However, keep in mind the V8 developed 151kW and 430Nm. There’s also a new flywheel that’s compatible with a 12-inch clutch, promising excellent engagement and power distribution.
Pricing details for the new 2.8 manual will be announced later this. For those wanting a V8, best to get your order in fast.
