Toyota 70 Series to soldier on

UPDATED 25/09/2015: Toyota has today announced that 70 Series single-cab moels will in the second half of next year be fitted with an extra three airbags (not five, as stated two days ago) -- a driver's knee airbag and twin side curtain airbags -- but not front-side airbags.

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Toyota Australia has announced its trusty 70 Series LandCruiser will receive significant safety upgrades designed to extend its already-long 30-year lifespan.

All 70 Series variants — including single-cab ute, double-cab ute, five-door wagon and two-door troop carrier — will be fitted with electronic stability control, brake assist and cruise control.

However, the upgrades won't come until the second half of next year and only the volume-selling single-cab will receive side airbags, which will make it eligible for a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.

An extra five airbags (front-side, side curtain and driver's knee) for the single-cab follows the fitment of twin front airbags and anti-skid brakes as standard across the 70 Series range in 2009 (when telescopic steering wheel adjustment and Bluetooth connectivity were also introduced) and 2012 respectively.

Motoring.com.au understands structural changes will also be made in order for the 70 Series single-cab to achieve the top ANCAP rating now required by many large fleet customers.

All 70 Series models currently come with a sub-standard three-star ANCAP rating.

At the same time, the 4.5-litre diesel V8 that powers all 70 Series models will be upgraded to meet the full Euro 5 emissions standard due in effect from November 1, 2016.

All new cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles launched since November 2013 have had to comply with what is known as the “core” Euro 5 emissions standard, which includes relaxed targets for particulate matter emissions and NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions for petrol-powered vehicles, and is also more lenient on diesels and flex-fuel vehicles.

But from November next year all new cars, SUVs and LCVs sold here will have to meet the “full” Euro 5 emissions regulation, regardless of when they were released.

Similarly, all vehicles launched from July 2017 will have to meet the even more stringent Euro 6 emissions standard, which will apply to all new vehicles sold after July 2018 regardless of when they were launched.

As we reported exclusively in 2013, Toyota has begun preliminary studies into a successor for the legendary 70 Series, which celebrated its 30th birthday in Japan last August and notches up three decades on sale in Australia this year.

But whether a new 70 Series eventuates and whether the existing truck can be upgraded to Euro 6 standards – and therefore be sold beyond mid-2018 – remains to be seen.

If not, it could be the second Australian farming and outback icon to disappear from showrooms, following Nissan's recent confirmation it will axe the old Patrol ute and wagon within 18 months

Toyota Australia product planner Michael Elias told motoring.com.au yesterday the current 70 Series has "no end date".

"It's a very important model," he said. "Customers love it as it is. Sometimes they complain when we change it. They like the rugged nature. There's no other vehicle that can do the job, no other vehicle that's fit for purpose."

Elias said that despite a resurgence in popularity of the 70 Series in Japan, where it was discontinued in 2004, the latest safety upgrade was primarily driven by Australia – one of the world's top 70 Series markets alongside the Middle East.

"It's mainly being delivered for Australia. The whole thing had to be justified as a package."

Toyota Australia's Tony Cramb said the latest changes would sure up the 70 Series' future in Australia, at least for now.

"These updates will support continued strong buyer demand for an unapologetically rugged vehicle that is renowned for its heavy-duty capabilities," he said.

"It secures the future of the 70 Series for customers who require a vehicle with an unrivalled reputation for class-leading mechanical reliability and serious towing, load carrying and off-road performance.

"Added safety features build on LandCruiser's 'always get you home' ethos and will be highly valued by people who rely on the 70 Series in harsh and remote work environments around Australia.

"We have worked closely with employers in mining, agriculture, construction, communications support and recreation to develop these improvements."

LandCruiser is Toyota's longest-running nameplate, with its origins dating back to the BJ of 1951, before the 4WD was renamed LandCruiser in 1954.

Australia became Toyota's first export market after early predecessors of LandCruiser 70 Series -- the FJ25, FJ45 and FJ43 – were employed by construction magnate Leslie (later Sir Leslie) Thiess during the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme.

More than 250,000 versions of Japan's answer to the Jeep Willys, Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class have been sold in Australia since 1985.