Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series replacement confirmed

Toyota Australia has confirmed the evergreen LandCruiser 70 Series will live on beyond the current generation.

However, the turbo diesel 4.5-litre V8 that currently powers the range will be eventually killed off because of tightening emissions legislation.

Speaking with carsales.com.au this week, Toyota Australia sales and marketing director Sean Hanley confirmed the Toyota 70 Series would be maintained within the local line-up for the foreseeable future.

His sentiments are the strongest indication yet of Toyota’s plans for the iconic and cult-like utility, dual-cab, wagon and troop carrier, and arrive in the face of tightening emission and safety laws.

“No end date,” Hanley said of the 70 Series’ future.

“I can assure LandCruiser owners – farmers, tradespeople, mining, construction, industry in general, private buyers and both men and women of Australia – that Toyota will have a solution going forward regardless of legislation.

“That solution will see a change in powertrain, maybe not a change of car but change of powertrain.

“What we are very realistic about is that if you want hybrid, if you want plug-in hybrid, if you want electric, if you want fuel-cell to take off and be a reality of our world over the next five to 30 years, then it has to perform and it has to be able to service the needs of our diverse group of customers.

“I can tell you there’s no plan that I’m aware of to discontinue LandCruiser.”

The LandCruiser 70 Series has been an icon for Toyota in Australia, finding favour with farmers and industry since its introduction in 1985.

While there have been significant safety and drivetrain updates throughout that time, the 70 Series has been able to maintain its utilitarian roots.

The current model has been on sale since October 2016, and there is no timeline in sight for a replacement.

But for Toyota, the anticipated adoption of stricter emissions laws and an added emphasis on active safety systems such as autonomous emergency braking will pose new obstacles in maintaining the 70 Series’ rugged appeal.

However, Hanley believes Australia’s most popular auto brand is well placed for the challenge.

“The 70 Series will have to change, of course it does,” Hanley said. “But does that mean that it has to serve a capability less than what it does today? Not necessarily, just different.”

Toyota’s commitment with respect to safety is to adapt its Toyota Safety Sense suite to every model it sells, as evidenced with the soon-to-be-updated HiLux.

And in terms of emissions, the car-maker plans to electrify every model it sells in Australia by 2025.

LandCruiser is Toyota’s longest-running nameplate in Australia, 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.