Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series Gets New Safety Tweaks

The Aussie version of Toyota's off-road workhorse got a well deserved tweak these days, as it received a new range of passive safety, comfort and features. By doing so, the Japanese manufacturer increased the price of the LC70 by some Au$600 for each model. Now, the range starts at Au$57,640 for the cab-chassis, Au$58,540 for the wagon and Au$64,540 for the troop-carrier.

The enhancements brought to the LC70 start with the safety ones. Toyota fitted it with an extended front bumper to accommodate airbag requirements and warning lamps for the airbags and driver's seatbelt. Comfort wise, the tweaks translate into a newly adopted telescopic steering column adjustment and a new four-spoke urethane steering wheel. For the passenger, life has been made easier by moving the assist-grip to the A-pillar.

Toyota continued with a minor facelift brought to the interior of the LandCruiser. The dashboard has been changed with revised instrument cluster and the addition of a bottle holder next to the gear-shift lever. New Bluish Gray or Oak fabric for the GXL versions are also available.

A new audio system is being offered with the revised version of the LC70, meaning an MP3 player with USB input, iPod control and Bluetooth hands-free telephone compatibility.

Toyota provides three basic colors for all of the three versions of the LC70: French Vanilla, Sandy Taupe and Midnight Blue. Additionally, for the cab-chassis and the wagon, the color scheme expands with Silver Pearl, Graphite, Merlot Red and Vintage Gold.

All LC70 models are powered by a 4.5l engine, developing 202 hp at 3,400 rpm and a peak torque of 430 Nm at 1,200 rpm. The unit is mated to a five-speed manual transmission and two-speed transfer.