Behold the new Land Cruiser we really want
Toyota is not only still building the 70 Series, it will again sell it in Japan. Eat your heart out Grenadier
As the market for all things retro (i.e. from the ‘80s onwards) swells like an overinflated spare wheel left in the sun, so carmakers scramble to meet that growing desire with product. This surely accounts for Toyota’s decision to not only treat the venerable Land Cruiser 70 Series to its first significant facelift in 15 years, but also offer it for sale again in the JDM as a regular model. Certainly, it would not have done so if it did not believe there was an underlying appetite for a car that it considers the ‘direct descendent’ of the Toyota BJ.
In case you aren’t familiar with the 70 Series, the best way to think of it is as a Japanese Land Rover Defender. The parallels are all the more satisfying because Toyota kicked off production at almost the same time, and, aside from basic updates and a revolving door of engines, has simply continued to build the model ever since. Of course, while its legend is built on much the same peerless off-road ability that the Defender enjoys, the 70 Series' reputation is underwritten by supreme and indefatigable toughness. Which is why Toyota continues to sell it in parts of the world that back onto extremely inhospitable regions. Like Africa. And Australia.
"The Land Cruiser 70 Series has built up a loyal and passionate fanbase with customers drawn to its rugged styling and legendary off-road performance and this substantially upgraded model builds upon those strengths," commented Aussie Toyota exec, Sean Hanley.
"Now with a new powertrain including an automatic transmission for the first time, along with the significant increase in safety and convenience technology, the LC70 is an ideal vehicle for those working on the land or as a tool of trade and recreational users heading off on an outback adventure.”
You know you’re dealing with a monolith of man-strength when you discover that Toyota hasn’t actually offered the car with two pedals in one of its major markets since 1990. The new powertrain in question is a 204hp 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel mated to a six-speed automatic. However, likely guessing that it might sound too weak-spirited to appeal to the cork-hatted faithful, in Australia you’ll still be able to buy a 70 Series with a ‘proven’ oil-burning 4.5-litre V8 and five-speed manual. Across three Single Cab grades and two Double Cabs. Ripper.
Elsewhere Toyota has given the squared-off styling a surprisingly comprehensive makeover - based on the fact that it has completely redesigned the front end - although this is only really to make its references to the iconic 40 Series even more explicit. Underneath it all there’s the same ladder frame chassis and enough go-anywhere nous to put a rhino to shame. Except now you get a 6.7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay to go with it. Retro, done right.
Like a “Japanese Land Rover Defender” erm
Alan Partridge wants his synonym back. That aside, assuming the comparison is with the original defender (as it is nothing like the new one) this will probably last a lot better, not let you down as much whilst keeping your legs and feet dry when it rains
As I understand it there's a significant LC retro scene both in Japan and in other markets where the LC has iconic status. Think how Series LR fandom has grown in recent years, from walts fingering grubby copies of the Bat Fastard catalogue to Twisted driving West End Tarquins - and reimagine that in Japan or Aus.
To be fair to Toyota they were all in on the ugly hybrids a decade before everyone else - great that they can now have the confidence for these kinds of new cars while everyone else runs around frantically trying to create some pseudo futuristic electric cars that noone will buy
To be fair to Toyota they were all in on the ugly hybrids a decade before everyone else - great that they can now have the confidence for these kinds of new cars while everyone else runs around frantically trying to create some pseudo futuristic electric cars that noone will buy
Thinking back to all the ridicule the Prius received 15-20 years ago, and so many ugly boring cars in the meantime. And now, Toyota doing a bunch of properly cool stuff as well as still having the world’s best hybrids.
My only problem with this model is that they widened the front to accept the V8 in certain markets but left the rear narrow as it was in the 1980s. Once you see this you can’t un-see it! It makes for an odd from 3/4!
Still would. It's got an honesty to it that the obvious comparisons lack.
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