By Steve Laser
The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 has returned to showrooms in Japan, just in time to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year. The new model gains enhanced styling, an updated powertrain, improved handling and stability, more safety features, plus new accessories.
While the 70 Series retains its classic silhouette, retro-inspired exterior design cues up front include new circular bi-beam LED headlights with manual levelling, a black-mesh grille with Toyota script logo, a small hood vent above the grille, and triple vents below.
Customers can personalize their rides with accessories from Toyota Original, Modellista* and JAOS** (selected by Modellista). The above photo shows the JAOS front bumper garnish with vertical LEDs, and a cross-country style aluminum front undercover.
The Land Cruiser 70 above is fitted with Toyota Original side visors and a sporty side stripe kit. It rides on Modellista 18-inch Matte Bronze alloy wheels wrapped with Yokohama Geolander A/T 265/60R18 tires. And there’s a JAOS rear undercover, plus a roof-mounted flat-rack kit with removable wall bar.
Toyota Original offers this good-looking accessory spare tire cover. In addition to protecting the spare, it’s dressed with an LC70 silhouette with the words: “LAND CRUISER – Where the road ends, the legend of the Land Cruiser begins. All over the world Land Cruiser is a trusted partner.”
The new 70 Series rides on a rugged ladder frame with live axles and an improved suspension designed to enhance ride comfort. The expanded list of driving assist systems includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Active Traction Control (A-TRC), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and Downhill Assist Control (DAC).
Power is supplied by a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine with direct-injection, rated at 150 kW (204 PS) and 500Nm (51 kgf-m) torque. It’s teamed with a Flex Lockup Super Intelligent 6-speed automatic transmission (ECT), part-time 4WD with low-range, and electronic differential locks.
The cabin has a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel, Optitron meter with 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display, center console, manual air conditioning, and two front USB-C charging ports. Toyota Original accessories offers a 7-inch navigation system with Bluetooth, and (not shown) in-vehicle HD camera, 360-degree camera, drive recorders, ETC 2.0, and rearview monitor.
Standard seating for five features synthetic leather and fabric upholstery. The reclining 60/40-split folding rear seats feature a one-touch tumble function for cargo carrying flexibility. Modellista offers an interior panel set (not shown) with woodgrain instrument panel inserts, air vent register panels, and power window panels for the front and rear.
The cargo compartment provides plenty of space for bulky items and outdoor adventure gear. A JAOS accessory luggage tray (above) helps to protect the floor from wet and dirty items. Toyota Original offers a variety of accessory floor mats for the first and second rows.
Toyota’s Land Cruiser 70 base sales volume target for Japan is 400 units per month. The new model is built at the Yoshiwara Plant by Toyota Auto Body Co., Inc. In addition to conventional retail sales, the Land Cruiser 70 is also available in Japan via Toyota’s KINTO subscription program.
News source and photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp.
Note: Features, specifications and accessories for Japan market models are subject to change without notice. The new Land Cruiser 70 is not available in America
*Toyota Customizing & Development Co., Ltd., provides products via the Modellista brand
**JAOS (Japan Offroad Service) Corp. is an independent manufacturer of 4WD accessories
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