Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series V8 unlikely to go back on sale

The chances of Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series V8 order book reopening in Australia continue to diminish.

Toyota Australia is now actively encouraging thousands of order holders on the waiting list for the 4.5-litre V8 to transfer to the new 2.8-litre mild-hybrid four-cylinder turbo-diesel that went on sale as part of the facelifted LC70 range late last year.

Toyota is placing some of the blame for the likely death of the V8 engine on the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that is due for introduction on January 1, 2025.

But it is also clear that obtaining supplies of the Japanese-built V8 is proving incredibly difficult. Order books for the tough old-school off-roader were closed in 2022 and have not reopened.

“At this stage it is closed and for the foreseeable future I can’t see that opening,” Toyota Australia sales, marketing and franchise operations chief Sean Hanley told carsales at this week’s launch of the company’s first EV, the 2024 Toyota bZ4X electric SUV.

carsales first reported the likely end of the 70 Series V8 in January.

“We are working through now to try and offer customers in existing V8s [orders] the opportunities to go to four and we are seeing very good take-up,” Hanley said this week.

“We can’t get all the V8s quickly and this is a credible opportunity – we can get the four-cylinders.

“And secondly of all, if you want to say anything with NVES, it now puts those cars into question big-time.”

Once the final LC70 V8 order bank number is finalised, Toyota Australia will go to its Japanese parent seeking that production.

After that, Hanley says it’s possible V8 orders could be reopened, but if not only the four-cylinder engine will be offered here.

“[Reopening order books on V8] is possible but now we are in this world of uncertainty around new vehicle efficiency standard I wouldn’t be prepared to go out on a limb and say anything more.”

Hanley said Toyota Australia kept trying to leverage LC70 V8 supplies from Japan for one reason: “Because customers want them”.

But he made clear the four-cylinder engine – which has as much power and more torque than the V8 – is the future for the LC70.

“Under what we know about the NVES today it is cars like that [V8] you would certainly look at [discontinuing] given we have a four-cylinder 2.8 that is every bit as capable and it meets Euro 6 emissions standards,” he said.

The decision on the V8 could be taken out of Toyota Australia’s hands as overseas reports indicate V8 production is stopping in 2025. Hanley wouldn’t confirm those reports.

“Whether it [V8 production] stops I don’t know, but the likelihood of orders reopening is unlikely,” he said.

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