Would you buy a four-cylinder LandCruiser 70 Series? Toyota's moves in Japan could hint at Prado power for V8 icon - reports

Toyota in Japan is reportedly preparing to relaunch the 70 Series LandCruiser in its home market after a multi-year hiatus, but it's what will be powering the ageing icon that will no doubt raise eyebrows in Australia.

While the brand in Australia has remained tight-lipped on the future of the 70 Series in our market – aside from committing to the nameplate, and to delivering vehicles to customers who joined the queue before new orders were paused – media in Toyota's home market is predicting big changes for the popular towing and off-road machine.

The model was last sold in its home market back in 2014, before it was pulled from sale, reportedly through fears it couldn't meet increasingly strict emission and safety regulations.

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On that first point, Australia must have been a source of inspiration. The popularity of the 70 Series here saw Toyota continue to roll out the updates, with our 2023 model welcoming autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

But while our model (while it was still on sale, at least) was powered by 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel, delivering 151kW and 430Nm and a significant 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, Toyota in Japan has a different take on the iconic off-roader.

According to reports, the 2023/2024 mode - expected to launch in September - will instead adopt the Toyota LandCruiser Prado's 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel (150kW, 500Nm), along with its six-speed automatic gearbox.

In the Prado, that returns a claimed 7.9L/100km on the combined cycle, and emits 209g/km of C02. The V8 70 Series, on the other hand, returns a claimed 10.7L/100km, and emits significantly more C02 per kilometre.

Toyota pulled the 70 Series from Australia in July last year due to demand outstripping supply, with some buyers reporting wait times of four years. The off-roader is still not available for sale here and does not appear on Toyota's website. The brand doesn't know when it will return to sale - though have said they expect it be several more months - and so far haven't confirmed exactly what could be powering it.

Whether or not the Japanese powertrain setup makes it to the future 70 Series in Australia remains to be seen, but we do know the company has been stepping away from V8 powertrains, most recently with the LandCruiser 300 Series.

Neither Toyota in Australia, nor Toyota in Japan has so far commented on the speculation appearing in Japanese media.