Toyota LC70 turns 30

It’s the LandCruiser that put Toyota on the proverbial map Down Under. There was a rumour in the 1990s that more than two out of three Aussie farmers owned a 70 Series LandCruiser. When strength and reliability were critical, the LC70 was your first choice, and many farmers still swear by that.

But if you thought the LC70 was on its last legs, think again. Arguably the world’s most versatile SUV, the LC70 is making a comeback of monumental proportions.

It might be 30 years since the world's largest car-maker debuted its rough diamond and a decade since the legendary all-purpose vehicle disappeared from showrooms in Japan, but Toyota has decided to revive it and offer the car for one more year in its home market, which is testament to its following there too.

While the Land Cruiser 70 holds onto its chunky, retro looks, it has been updated with a revised grille and bonnet, and newly designed headlights with integrated indicator signals. Bespoke 30th anniversary emblems have been attached on both sides and the flared wheel-arches have been further highlighted.

The interior has also been revised with 21st Century trim and fittings, including a new dashboard featuring a large central screen and fresh air-vents, while a leather key case and maintenance record holder have been added to enhance the ownership experience.

However, Toyota Australia says it has no plans to introduce the 30th Anniversary model or its upgraded cabin technology to the 70 Series here, where the Japanese workhorse range was joined by the five-door wagon in March 2007.

"[Toyota Australia has] No plans to introduce an LC70 30th Anniversary model or adopt the interior locally," Steve Coughlan, Toyota Australia Product Public Relations Manager.

Nor will Toyota Australia make our 70 Series available with the commemorative model's 4.0-litre V6, which is seen here in the Prado and HiLux.

"In terms of the engine, we're maintaining the turbo-diesel V8 as our sole powerplant for Australia," said Coughlan.

While all 70 Series models (TroopCarrier, wagon and ute) sold in Australia since January 2007 have been fitted with a 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8, power for the LC70 30th Anniversary model comes from Toyota's 4.0-litre 1GR-FE V6, generating 172kW/360Nm and mated to a heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission.

A switchable four-wheel-drive system with dual-mode automatic locking hubs is fitted, along with the option of electric locking differentials for both the front and rear axles and an electric front winch.

Of course, the Japan-only 70 Series comes with twin front airbags and anti-lock brakes, which along with minor interior upgrades became standard in Australia in August 2012.

At that time, Toyota also released the first dual-cab 70 Series, which was designed specifically for Australia. Japan's limited-edition will be available in both five-door wagon and – for the first time in Japan -- four-door dual-cab body styles.

In addition, Toyota has announced two other special-edition LandCruisers for Japan – the 200 Series-based ZX Bruno Cross and the Prado-based TX Argento Cross – neither of which will be sold here.

The first features 'super chrome' metallic paint, alloy wheels, plated side mirrors and Nappa leather seats, while the second adds two-tone silver and black seat trim, dark grey metallic painted wheels and a geometric instrument panel.

Toyota expects to sell 200 special-edition 70 Series models a month for the next year. Despite being discontinued in 2004, the LC70 remains popular in its home market, where it's seen as a go-anywhere adventure vehicle.

Toyota has even set up a LandCruiser 'mini-motorshow' at its sprawling Mega Web showroom in Tokyo, featuring several generations of the iconic truck to mark the occasion.

The most recent LandCruiser addition in Australia was last month's new Prado Altitude special-edition, featuring an under floor mounted spare wheel and opening tailgate hatch for the first time.

As we've reported, Toyota continues to investigate a new-generation 70 Series to replace its 30-year-old Outback icon, which will not meet increasingly stringent fleet safety standards and Euro 5 emissions legislation due in 2016.

All light commercial vehicles purchased by the Australian government have been required to have a four-star safety rating since July 2012, not long before BHP Billiton became the first company to mandate five-star safety for its vehicle fleet. Like the Nissan Patrol ute, the 70 Series comes with a three-star ANCAP safety rating.

Toyota continues to sell about 80,000 LC70s annually, and Australia remains one of its top three destinations alongside the Middle East and South Africa.