"The portfolio of vehicles in Australia will alter considerably": Why it is the end of days for Toyota 70 Series LandCruiser V8

Toyota says the end is coming for its venerable V8 engine, with incoming Fuel Efficiency Standards to cause its portfolio of vehicles in Australia to "alter considerably", including its popular 70 Series LandCruiser.

The delayed Fuel Efficiency Standards are expected to be finalised this year, forcing all manufacturers to review their line-ups and prioritise electrified and low-emission powertrains.

Globally, similar standards even see manufacturers penalised for failing to meet fleet efficiency standards, and have seen manufacturers shelve diesel and V8 engines.

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In Australia, the 70 Series LandCruiser is one of the few remaining V8 engines available – the Nissan Patrol being another – but the brand says times are changing, and the clock is ticking, though production remains in place for now.

"We're still continuing V8 production," says Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley.

"The future of the V8 will be determined by two major factors that I should articulate. One is the environmental landscape and two is customer demand.

Toyota says the end is coming for its venerable V8 engine.

"Fuel Efficiency Standards will play a significant role in the portfolio of Australian vehicles, and vehicles sold in the Australian market, going forward.

"Toyota will always observe the rules and laws and criteria of the markets that we operate in. So it's quite conceivable that the portfolio generally of vehicles in Australia will alter considerably.

"Whatever we do, whatever is under the bonnet, what I can say to Australian consumers is that Toyota will continue to offer a vehicle that has the capability to do the things Australians want them to do."

Toyota has already launched a four-cylinder alternative for the LandCruiser 70 Series, and is hopeful those in the queue for a V8 powertrain will swap their order to the smaller-displacement engine.

In Australia, the 70 Series LandCruiser is one of the few remaining V8 engines available.

For now, though, a sales stop remains for the V8 engine, with Toyota saying it will be in place until at least 2025, as it works through the existing wait list before opening the books for new orders.

There are fears, though, that V8 sales might never reopen, given the changing landscape.

"In my humble opinion, so it's not necessarily right, the only thing preventing a V8 person going to a four-cylinder would be a psychological barrier," Hanley has told CarsGuide.

"Once they drive a four-cylinder and realise its capability, I don't think it will be a hard sell at all."