Properly, all of us knew it was coming, and certain sufficient, a couple of days in the past, Toyota introduced that it’s shutting down the 18-year run of the 1VD-FT 4.5L V8 turbo diesel that powers almost half of all the 70 Sequence workhorses which have ever been constructed.
It was inevitable, actually, tightening emissions necessities and what Toyota presumably satirically refers to as “buyer expectations” will seemingly all the time take their toll on bigger engines. I imply, the truth that 10 firms put out 33% of the world’s greenhouse fuel emissions and 100 firms put out over 70% of the worldwide complete is irrelevant. Let’s preserve focussing on private-use autos relatively than imposing any regulatory sanctions on these wilfully pumping dangerous gasses into the air with out repercussion… however I digress; we’re right here to rejoice the passing of a legend, not speak concerning the fumbling forms that killed them.
The place was I? Oh yeah, since 2007, the 1VD has been the go-to engine for 70 Sequence (and 200) homeowners. Often known as a torquey, understressed and dependable powerplant, it has been the epitome of every part the LandCruiser model has been constructed on for the final 70 years. Nevertheless, the writing has been on the wall for over two years now, again when Toyota “paused” taking orders for V8s. Even so, manufacturing will proceed into 2025 as Toyota tries to accommodate the orders it has already obtained from clients eager to get their palms on the final of the eight-cylinder icons.
The 1VD is being changed by the engine already discovered within the newest 70s, the two.8L four-pot turbo-diesel, variations of which have been discovered within the Luxies and Prados of the final nine-ish years. It’s in no way a nasty engine, placing out 150kW and 450Nm of twistery, which Toyota is fast to level out is 20Nm greater than the outgoing V8. However there’s torque from a low-revving, low-stress eight-cylinder engine and torque from a highly-strung four-banger utilizing half the cylinders and extra (decrease) gears to pump out related numbers – which one would you count on to last more hauling a tray filled with concreting gear? However once more, I digress.
The information ain’t all unhealthy. They’ve additionally introduced a return of the 5-speed guide within the four-cylinder. It has shorter first, second and third gears, a taller fifth for freeway economic system, and a 12-inch clutch and flywheel combo, so it ought to be fairly stout. You do must surprise why they didn’t simply go for a 6-speed guide like they need to have again in 2007, however let’s not get slowed down in an excessive amount of negativity right here.
To be honest, Toyota Australia is doing what it will probably to maintain the “outdated devoted” workhorse alive. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Gross sales Advertising and marketing & Franchise Operations, encourages any fanatic of the V8 to hitch the rising variety of four-cylinder converts who’re discovering the brand new engine much more succesful. “Each right here and in Japan,” Mr Hanley says, “Toyota was decided to return the loyalty of our clients by devoting important sources into making certain the 70 Sequence stays a significant a part of our line-up for years to return. The one different was to stroll away from the mannequin – and that was not an possibility.”
You need to really feel for car-makers within the present local weather. Emissions necessities, rightly or wrongly, are successfully hamstringing the manufacturing of, dare I say, “enjoyable” engines. But it surely’s not all unhealthy. Evan Spence, in our sister magazine Unsealed4X4, stated that the four-cylinder LandCruiser undoubtedly doesn’t suck and that, for lots of people, it’s truly the higher alternative in real-world phrases. The guide transmission simply additional opens it up as a viable choice to those that choose the three-pedal shuffle over the “put it in D” brigade.
Are we unhappy concerning the V8’s demise? Sure, unequivocally. However hopefully, there’s nonetheless rather a lot to sit up for for the LC70s within the coming years. The king is useless; lengthy reside the king.
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