2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series facelift unveiled with four-cylinder diesel automatic option, due in Australia this year

Toyota has surprised the world’s media with the unveiling of a facelift for the venerable 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series – with the option of 2.8-litre diesel four-cylinder power and an even more retro look.

The covers were unexpectedly taken off the first major update for the LandCruiser 70 Series since 2007 – and the latest since the vehicle launched 38 years ago – at the unveiling of the new Prado.

Toyota Australia has confirmed the new 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine will be coupled exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission, and will be available alongside the current 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 and five-speed manual transmission for the time being.

It has not been confirmed if order books will re-open for the LandCruiser 70 Series when the updated model arrives between October and December 2023.

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The 2.8-litre turbo-diesel produces 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm from 600-2800rpm – 70Nm more but 1kW less than the V8, which continues to produce 151kW at 3400rpm and 430Nm from 1200-3200rpm.

Buyers will be able to option the four-cylinder and automatic transmission across the range, in all three single-cab chassis variants – Workmate, GX, and GXL – and the Workmate and GXL grades in the dual-cab chassis, five-door wagon and Troop Carrier.

The V8 will be dropped from the Workmate wagon – but will remain available in all other model grades.

Drive has exclusively reported it will be sold alongside the venerable 4.5-litre single-turbo diesel V8 and five-speed manual transmission for the immediate future.

It will be the first four-cylinder Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series sold in Australia since 1991, and the first automatic version since a four-speed gearbox was discontinued in 1990.

The latest update for the 70 Series wears a new front fascia with an even more retro-inspired look than today’s model – including bold circular LED headlights referencing the sealed-beam headlights of the original 1985 model.

The front end appears to have been completely redesigned, with a new bonnet, front wheel arches, bumper and grille – which has slim retro cut-outs similar to early 70 Series models, and ‘TOYOTA’ script.

There is a new alloy wheel design for Japanese models, but this is not shown in the Australian media images.

Inside, there is a new 6.7-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the first time – but the new system does not resemble any other infotainment screen in the Toyota range, and it is unclear if it is an in-house Toyota design.

The instrument cluster has been redesigned with a retro-inspired central speedometer, and a 4.2-inch digital instrument display with a digital speedometer for the first time.

The advanced safety suite has been expanded to include lane departure alert, speed sign recognition and automatic high-beams.

It is in addition to autonomous emergency braking technology – with pedestrian and cyclist detection – which was added last year.

The 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series is due in Australian showrooms between October and December 2023. Prices are due to be announced closer to launch.

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