Has SA embraced Toyota’s 4-pot Land Cruiser 79?
How popular is the 2.8-litre turbodiesel version of the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 compared with the 6- and 8-cylinder variants also in the range? The back-order stats tell a story…
When the refreshed Toyota Land Cruiser 79 range launched in South Africa in February 2024, the big news was the addition of the 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine, offered in conjunction with an automatic transmission. But have South African buyers embraced or rejected the idea of a 4-cylinder motor in this evergreen bakkie?
Well, we asked Toyota South Africa Motors about the local uptake of the 2.8 GD-6 powertrain (which generates 150 kW and 500 Nm) versus the larger-capacity alternatives in the updated Land Cruiser 79 line-up. For context, the refreshed range comprises 4 single-cab variants and 4 double-cab derivatives, with one of each powered by the 4-pot. The results certainly tell a story…
As a reminder, the 4.0-litre V6 petrol unit (170 kW/360 Nm), the 4.2-litre straight-6 diesel motor (96 kW/285 Nm) and the 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel mill (151 kW/430 Nm) all soldier on as part of the local line-up – for the time being, at least, with the 8-cylinder motor tipped to retire by August 2025. Each of these older motors comes standard with a 5-speed manual gearbox, making the 4-cylinder mill the only one available with an automatic transmission.
According to Toyota SA Motors, of the 3 083 units currently on back order, as many as 2 155 units have been specified with the 2.8 GD-6 powertrain. That translates to a considerable 69.9% of all Land Cruiser 79 vehicles on back order. Of course, there may well be certain supply factors at play here – the V8 seems to be particularly tricky to get hold of, after all – but there’s no arguing with the figures.
Keep in mind that in addition to an automatic cog-swapper, the new 4-cylinder models gain extra safety equipment over the older powertrain derivatives, including items such as vehicle stability control, active traction control, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, hill-assist control and downhill assist control.
What about the Land Cruiser 76 Station Wagon line-up, which comprises a pair of 2.8 GD-6 derivatives as well as a 4.5 V8 variant? Well, Toyota SA Motors says of the 744 units currently on back order, as many as 667 (or a whopping 89.7%) have been ordered in the 2.8 GD-6 form…
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