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Toyota weighs in on new Land Cruiser 300 Series V8 debate: "It's been decades since any best-selling car offered eight cylinders"

The LandCruiser 300 Series engine debate rages on.

Toyota has weighed into the LandCruiser 300 Series V8 engine debate, telling CarsGuide it had been decades since a best-selling vehicle required an eight-cylinder engine, pointing to the success of the HiLux as evidence of the popularity of smaller engines.

As news of the incoming 300 Series continues to filter through, it's been the fact it will almost certainly do without the 200 Series' V8 diesel engine that has most set the internet alight.

While news is yet to be officially confirmed, strong international reporting points to a four-cylinder diesel being offered in the 300 in international markets, while Australia is expected to launch with a new V6 diesel engine, followed by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, and a hybrid version of that engine.

But Toyota Australia's sales and marketing chief, Sean Hanley, says the LandCruiser 300 Series will deliver on capability, no mater how many cylinders it has, pointing out the rarity of an eight-cylinder engine being offered in a top-selling model.

"It’s clear that the number of cylinder and cubic capacity is not the only thing that determines the (effectiveness) of the powertrain," he says. "Go back 20 years in the Australian motoring industry – a long time has passed since any of Australia's best-selling cars even offered the option of a V8 engine.

"Look at the HiLux, it’s powered by a four-cylinder turbo-diesel, and it performs the duties of a rugged one-tonne work horse.

"While have nothing to announce today, (the LandCruiser) needs to be capable, it needs to be able to perform, drive and tow as is expected of a LandCruiser. It has a huge heritage.

"While everyone seems to be focused on engines and capacity and powertrains, what we do know is that, whatever we do in the future, that (capability) will be delivered upon."

This news follows our report last week that Toyota Australia had assured fans the new 300 Series would improve the LandCruiser formula in every imaginable way .

"I’m immensely proud that LandCruiser has established a track record of continuing to improve its torque, its power, its towing and, of course, its off-road abilities. That what’s LandCruiser stands for," Mr Hanley told CarsGuide.

"And I can assure you that any new-generation model will have the enhanced capabilities, and I am more than confident it will strengthen LandCruiser's legend status.

"The powertrain of any future LandCruiser will be built to deliver. It will deliver on power, torque, towing and off- and on-road capabilities. And I am supremely confident that with whatever we do, it will continue to remain a very capable vehicle all round."

The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series edging closer to its reveal, with a launch date in Australia expected in 2021.