OVERVIEW
THE world’s finest automotive designers – from Guigiaro to Gandini, Fioravanti to Pininfarina and Bertone to Michelotti – have worldwide acclaim and are beloved by passionate automotive fanatics.
Toyota’s workhorse, the FJ collection that began in 1955 with the J20, doesn’t have a big-name designer. Its design temporary is akin to an origami train, flat metal then folded with flat glass home windows.
Regardless of the dearth of any visible enchantment on the identical stage as automotive designers’ creations, Toyota’s FJ has bought greater than 10 million items in 170 international locations for the reason that Fifties – not unhealthy for a single-purpose ute.
Seven many years later, it’s up to date with a mannequin that has all of the belongings you in all probability didn’t suppose you wanted, together with a a lot increased value that at nearly $85k appears like a ridiculous tag on what’s mainly a 40-year-old automobile.
In its newest model, the 70-Sequence loses 4 of its cylinders – it’s now non-obligatory to the continued V8 (quickly to be discontinued) turbo-diesel – and borrows a model of the two.8-litre unit from siblings together with the Hilux.
To sweeten the deal, the 79-Sequence (the cab-chassis utes inside the 70-series mannequin) will get an computerized transmission (no handbook) and the V8 has a handbook, with no supply of an auto.
Altering the center of the workhorse is a delicate transfer, notably as operators had a real fondness of the lusty V8.
Has changing that mill with a ‘child’ four-cylinder oiler detracted from the enchantment of the 70-series? Will the automatic-only 4 show higher for fleet customers?
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
So the 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel has ended its exclusivity within the 70-series vary, now sitting alongside the two.8-litre 4 till subsequent 12 months.
The V8 is mated solely to a handbook at hand the incoming four-cylinder model some curiosity from fleets, metropolis customers and individuals who have but to grasp three ground pedals.
From the V8 to the two.8, the expectations weren’t excessive. But the 4 proved greater than ample and barely suffered in areas of efficiency that matter to most finish customers.
There is no such thing as a lack of sturdy off-road potential and, within the soft-sand check, the auto – by the traits of the transmission – really made it simpler to drive and fewer prone to lavatory. I’ll simply share that it did lavatory however then that’s common for me.
The V8 has 151kW/430Nm and the two.8 is 150kW/500Nm, so the smaller engine is clearly aggressive.
The four-pot additionally has some benefits with weight, being 55kg lighter than the V8 model, and but nonetheless able to a 1-tonne-plus payload (greater than the V8) and a tow score of three.5-tonne. All this helps it within the dust.
On the street it’s a 70-series and it nonetheless looks like a 40-year-old truck. Getting up into it may be a chore and even sitting in it’s a journey again by means of the years, with seat consolation ranges which can be barely ample and ergonomics which can be hardly altered from the beginnings of the ute collection.
The four-cylinder works effectively in opposition to visitors however there’s no disguising that underneath acceleration it’s working exhausting and complaining by means of the engine noise that’s unmuffled by the agricultural physique design.
It’s going to cruise fairly comfortably at 100km/h, nonetheless, the place there’s no seen (and aural) engine stress.
Towards that’s the work required by the motive force to maintain it straight. It succumbs simply to tramlining, ruts and bumps with some annoying steering kickbacks. That wouldn’t be too unhealthy however the vagueness of the steering field means it may be simply overcorrected, aggravating its course down the street.
Add to that, it’s 5.3m lengthy and isn’t designed on your native grocery store automotive park. Parked alongside the facet of a rustic city street, it’s clearly not going to be an issue.
Toyota claims 9.6 litres per 100km for common gas consumption for the two.8 whereas the check (primarily suburban and freeway with some off-road in sand and on gravel) returned 12.5 L/100km. The tank is 130 litres so it’s a 1000km-plus tourer.
The V8, by the way in which, is rated at 10.7L/100km as a mean.
FEATURES:
The cabin is, as talked about, a mirror of long-lost many years however in its favour, it’s workable and simply repairable.
Waking up within the 2020s means Toyota has added some niceties resembling a special plastic shroud to the centre console that permits some (small) private storage areas, two cup holders and two USB-C plugs.
There’s additionally a 6.7-inch infotainment display screen and a radio with AM and FM and connectivity to Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Overlook any need for sat-nav.
The radio is just about ineffective as its speaker readability and quantity have issues competing with the mechanical orchestra underneath the bonnet (and thru the floorboards). You even have to recollect to manually pull up the radio antenna, in any other case there’s simply crackle on the speaker.
The glovebox is tiny (and the automobile’s handbook takes up a lot of the obtainable house), whereas house for anything is poor until you park it within the passenger footwell or on the again seat.
Area within the rear is sweet for 3 adults with the one downer being the climb to that stage. By the way in which, there’s no baby-seat prime tether so it’s not a family-friendly ute.
SAFETY:
The 70-series hasn’t been crash examined for years and so is unrated.
Toyota has, nonetheless, lifted the protection tools with customary so there’s pre-collision with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection, intersection help, lane departure alert, road-sign help (visible colour-themed warning on the instrument panel), auto excessive beam (utilizing the brand new mannequin’s LED headlights) and downhill help management.
There’s no reverse digital camera on the 79 cab-chassis as that’s as much as the bodybuilder becoming the tray.
OWNERSHIP:
Toyota has a five-year, limitless distance guarantee.
Capped-price servicing will value $525 each six months or 10,000km. This system lasts for 5 years or 100,000km.
Pricing has risen previously 12 months, with the V8 GXL 79 leaping to $87,600 (plus prices) from $79,200 a 12 months in the past. That’s a $10,400 hike for not a lot additional.
The four-pot is a brand new entry and can save $4100 over the V8, which is about 5 per cent of the whole value, making it a troublesome argument to counsel the two.8 will save the operator cash, particularly because the gas consumption is analogous and there’s no distinction in service prices.
RIVALS:
There’s not a lot on the market to compete with the 79 collection, however in case you’re looking out, think about:
Jeep Gladiator (petrol solely, 693kg payload) at $78,250 plus prices for the Night time eagle; Ram 1500 (petrol, 1043kg payload) from $119,950 plus prices.
PRICING:
Toyota Land Cruiser GXL 79 Sequence dual-cab cab-chassis examined: $83,500 plus prices
