First look: 70 Series unveils new diesel V8

TOYOTA Australia has used this week's Brisbane International Motor Show to launch two new models: the revised LandCruiser 70 Series and Tarago V6.

On sale in April, the 70 Series is of particular note because it features a new V8 turbo-diesel engine that will also appear in the new-generation LandCruiser 200 Series wagon later this year.

Details are still thin on the ground, however the new diesel engine is compliant with Euro IV emission regulations and is understood to be a 195kW/620Nm 4.5-litre single-turbo unit.

Visually the 70 Series also gains some minor cosmetic upgrades and a slightly revised front-end to accommodate the new turbo-diesel engine.

The LandCruiser is expected to get a twin-turbo version developing around 200kW/650Nm while the new engine is also expected to appear in the next-generation Lexus LX four-wheel drive.

In the revised 70 Series, the diesel replaces both the previous 4.2-litre turbo and non-turbo-diesel six-cylinder engines.

As for Tarago, the 200kW/336Nm 3.5-litre V6 (as seen in the Aurion large car) is the first six-cylinder engine ever offered in the people-mover and will supplement the four-cylinder range when it goes on sale next month.