Toyota Land Cruiser 70 2015

Powering the 70 is a 4.5-litre turbo diesel V8 engine producing 151kW at 3400rpm and 430Nm at 1200rpm. Those numbers aren’t that impressive given that there are some four-cylinder units with half the engine capacity pushing out more torque in family SUVs, but the fact the pulling power comes in from so low in the rev range means this is a very usable engine.

Chassis/Body

The Land Cruiser 70 draws on the heritage of previous models. It has been designed to far more demanding standards than regular passenger vehicles and also leverages 30 years of improvements to realize superior robustness and durability since it launched. The traditional closed ladder frame mounting with cross braces provides a high degree of rigidity for traveling on rough roads, while also offering superior safety and comfort. Generous approach, break-over and departure angles for travel on rugged roads and over obstacles enable the vehicle to drive on grueling terrain beyond the capabilities of a regular passenger vehicle.

The four-door van has a typical Land Cruiser form and offers excellent riding comfort. The Japan-first double-cab pickup truck provides sturdy deck space, and can bear up to 600 kilograms of cargo.

Driving Performance

The V6 4.0-liter 1GR-FE engine is the first of its kind in Japan. The use of VVT-i² provides high intake efficiency, while a light aluminum cylinder block and an Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS) enable a 6.6 km/L fuel efficiency (under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s JC08 test cycle) along with high power performance of 170 kW (231 PS) maximum rpm and 360 N/m (36.7 kgf/m) maximum torque.

The five-gear manual transmission uses triple cone synchros on the second and third gears, achieving superior maneuverability and durability. The vehicle is equipped with a part-time four-wheel drive system (with dual-mode automatic locking hub) which allows the driver to select driveline using the transfer lever bar. This offers the option of quiet and fuel efficient two-wheel drive driving in town and on the freeway, while switching to four-wheel drive provides comfort and driving performance on uneven ground and slippery roads.

An optional extra electric differential lock (front and rear) prevents the vehicle getting stuck due to wheel-spin. Switch-operated locking of the differential gear transfers driving power to the grounded wheels, improving the vehicle’s capability to traverse mud and holes. An optional extra electric winch for the front bumper bar assists in moving the vehicle if it gets stuck, in removal of obstacles and for moving heavy loads.