Land Cruiser 70 is said to only be available as a JDM model.
The Toyota Land Cruiser, now 72 years old, has been a staple of the rough and tumble worldwide. Remember, the Aussies have a saying that goes something like, “if you want to head bush, take a Land Rover. But if you want to come back out again, take a Land Cruiser.”
Toyota’s legendary reliability and simplicity meant that the Land Cruiser rarely broke down, and when it did, it was relatively easy to fix with a rock and some string while deep off the beaten track. And when talking about Land Cruisers going off the beaten track, people often think of scenes such as these:
The image one would have in mind is likely that of the Land Cruiser 70 Series, which was launched in 1984 as a heavy-duty model primarily
for commercial use and in harsh environments. And so, in 2023, Toyota has re-introduced the Land Cruiser 70, albeit for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) only.
Featuring a 2.8-litre direct-injection turbo diesel engine that puts out 204hp and 500Nm of torque, this new 70 Series will not be left wanting in the rough and tumble of nature.
Its superb abilities off the beaten track primarily derive from a six-speed automatic transmission that’s mated to a part-time selectable four-wheel drive (4WD) system featuring electronic differential locks, and everything’s mounted to a tough ladder frame.
Aiding these foundational aspects of the Land Cruiser 70 are an array of driving and braking control systems, including Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Active Traction Control (A-TRC), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and Downhill Assist Control (DAC).
On the inside, this 70 Series seats five and features cavernous cargo capacity in the back. Also equipped are Back Monitor and Toyota Safety Sense which features the new Pre-crash Safety, auto-control lighting, and drive-start control functions for greater peace of mind.
Being basic and straightforward is what makes the Land Cruiser 70 perfectly suited for the rough and tumble.
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price or MSRP is JPY4,800,000 plus applicable local fees and taxes (accurate at the time of this article). Toyota expects a production volume of 400 units per month.
Given this number, we won’t be surprised if this Land Cruiser 70 becomes available in other markets through grey-import channels IF Toyota decides to keep the 70 Series JDM-only.
We certainly hope to see a few units running around in Singapore, although not in mountain climbing as the image above suggests. Maybe Bukit Timah Hill and Mount Faber negotiating-guise.
Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!
