2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 short-wheelbase spied

A facelifted 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series has been spied in short-wheelbase form in the Middle East, one week after the surprise reveal of Toyota’s updated four-wheel drive workhorse.

A video posted by Kurdistan Automotive Blog on Instagram – and a Twitter (now X) post by @oriba080 – show a three-door example of the new-look LandCruiser, complete with decals that are a common fitment to Toyota four-wheel-drives in the Middle East.

Along with the new look for 2024 – which is partially covered in plastic wrapping – this example of the LandCruiser 70 Series is also fitted with an automatic transmission.

This is an interesting new detail for the development of the 2024 LandCruiser 70 Series, which was recently revealed with the option of 2.8-litre diesel power and a six-speed automatic gearbox for the Australian market.

However, Middle Eastern markets have always opted for petrol power over diesel, using a 4.0-litre petrol V6 for the 70 Series in lieu of the diesel V8 that is used in Australia.

In recent years, the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series has only ever been available with a manual transmission, regardless of engine choice.

It’s currently unclear what engine is used in this particular example of the short-wheelbase LandCruiser 70 Series in the pictures.

While short-wheelbase variants of the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series have been continually available in other markets in recent years, Australia hasn’t had one available locally since the late 1980s.

Unfortunately, Australians will be waiting even longer for any chance of a 70 Series ‘shorty’ appearing locally.

A representative for Toyota Australia told Drive there are ‘no current plans’ to bring a short-wheelbase variant of the LandCruiser 70 Series to Australia, but also said they are constantly studying the market for new opportunities.

Since the now legendary 40 Series was always available in a short-wheelbase format, the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series only kept the option of a three-door ‘shorty’ and a similar short-wheelbase Bundera – as well as a mid-wheelbase 73 Series – up until 1990.

The Toyota LandCruiser Prado was available as a short-wheelbase between 2009 and 2013, while the retro-styled FJ Cruiser offered similar styling (but with smaller suicide-style rear doors) between the years of 2011 and 2016.

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