Toyota Conquers Brisbane: LandCruiser 70 Series & Tarago V6

Motoring Channel Staff - 6/Feb/2007

Brisbane, Australia — Toyota made two new car 'reveals' at the 2007 Brisbane Motor Show this month, one of which is a tough-as-nails 4x4, and the other being a 6-cylinder people mover: the LandCruiser 70 Series and Tarago V6.

First the LandCruiser 70 Series, a vehicle that Toyota believes embodies "4WD tough". The latest version of the 70 Series LandCruiser will go on sale in Australia in March, and has a number of changes, includinga mild face lift and a larger front end with which to accommodate larger engines.

Toyota reveals that the vehicle has been updated in a number of areas, the most obvious of which is ahead of the A-pillar, and includes a wider track and new sheet metal.

The biggest news during the cars unveiling was the inclusion of a new V8 engine, which is the Japanese brand's first turbo-diesel V8 engine, providing even better performance and excellent fuel economy.

Toyota has stated that the huge 4.5-litre V8 produces more than 150kW of power and 400Nm of torque while complying with the Euro IV emissions, and adds that it will release detailed specifications and pricing on the new 70 Series 'Cruiser closer to its on-sale date of March.

Toyota Australia's executive director of sales and marketing Alan Porich, speaking at the unveiling, said the power, economy and technology of the new V8 turbo-diesel engine will add a new dimension to the LandCruiser 70 Series.

"The new V8 turbo-diesel engine and other improvements will enhance the performance, strength and legendary go-anywhere ability of the LandCruiser 70 Series," Mr Porich said.

"The improved styling, which adds to the rugged looks of the 70 Series, will offer greater visual appeal for customers," added Mr Porich. 

As Kia's Grand Carnival with its 3.8-litre V6 engine continues to attract new customers, Toyota has decided to play the power card with its new Tarago, which is now officially the most powerful people mover available in Australia.

According to Toyota, the introduction of the new 3.5-litre V6 engine is the first time the Tarago has been offered with 6-cylinder power and that theTarago V6 has 9.8 per cent more power and at least 5.5 per cent better fuel economy than any other petrol 6-cylinder people mover on the market.

With impressive credentials and a recent design update, the Tarago V6 was unveiled at the Brisbane International Motor Show, and new6-cylinder engine's vital statistics are as follows: 

Power: 202kW @ 6200rpm
Torque: 340Nm @ 4700rpm

The alloy quad-cam V6 engine, essentially the same unit that powers the Australian-built Toyota Aurion, is more powerful than Kia's Grand Carnival, which uses a 3.8-litre V6 to generate 184kW.

While the Kia may have slightly less power, it's larger capacity allows for more torque, if only by three Newton Metres (343Nm in total). However, while the Kia Grand Carnival has more torque, it isn't as fuel efficient as the new Toyota people mover:

Tarago V6: 10.2L/100km
Grand Carnival: 12.8L/100km

The new 6-cylinder models command a premium over the 4-cylinder versions, which start at $49,490, but at around $5,000, the extra performance is relatively affordable.

There will be three model grades for Tarago V6 - GLi, GLX and top-of-the-line Ultima, and the entry-level V6 GLi starts at $54,690.

Toyota Australia's head of marketing, David Buttner, said the new Tarago is designed to broaden the vehicle's appeal for families and a range of new business customers.

"Families who need the seating or luggage capacity of Tarago will appreciate the extra power and remarkable fuel economy of the V6," said Buttner, who mentioned that families will not be the sole customers for the new 6-cylinder luxury models.

"We are also targeting customers such as hotel chains and limousine companies who require a luxury vehicle for transporting valued clientele to and from the airport or on shopping or sightseeing expeditions," he added.

The Japanese car maker has revealed that all three Tarago V6 grades are fitted with the new 3.5-litre engine, a 6-speed electronic automatic transmission, dual-zone climate-control air conditioning, cruise control, MP3-compatible CD tuner, remote central locking, power windows and a fold-away third-row seat.

Tarago V6 models also feature a comprehensive range of safety features, including seven air bags, a pre-crash seatbelt system, steering-assisted vehicle stability control, and anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution.

The new Tarago V6 engine, shared with the Lexus RX350 and Toyota Aurion, has dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) for improved performance, better fuel economy and lower emissions, and the new 3.5-litre V6 engine is mated to a 6-speed electronic automatic transmission that can also be used as a sequential-style manual shifter.

No performance figures have been released, but the front-wheel drive V6 people mover will weight around 1750kg, and together with the 6-speed transmission and 202kW 6-cylinder engine it should be capable of zero to 100km/h times of around 8.5 seconds.

Toyota also explains that interior flexibility is a hallmark of Tarago V6, which features seating for eight people in the GLi grade and seven in the other two grades. 

The GLi grade gets eight seats, including a three-passenger second-row seat with 60/40 split. The GLX and Ultima grades meanwhile offer seven seats, including two adjustable captain's chairs in the second row which feature integrated ottomans for extra under-calf support.

Toyota confirms that 7-seat models also feature a sliding centre console "shuttle box" that can move between the front and second-row seats, while all grades have a three-passenger third-row seat with 60/40 split that can be stowed in an underfloor compartment - electronically for the Ultima and manually for the other grades.

Distinctive features on the GLX model include roof rails, 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sonar, Optitron instruments, woodgrain trim and rear climate-controlled air conditioning.

The range-topping Ultima model includes high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps with adaptive front lighting system (AFS) and auto-levelling, which enables the headlamps to swivel on low beam to provide better lighting when turning corners.Ultima models also feature power sliding side doors, leather seats, heated driver's and passenger's front seat, dual sunroofs (one fixed and the other tilt-adjustable) with sunshades and satellite navigation is also part of the Ultima package.

Toyota Tarago V6 Pricing:
GLi: $54,690
GLX: $56,990
  Ultima: $69,990

Related articles:
- Toyota Supra (2010)
- Toyota Aurion (2006)
- Toyota Aurius (concept)
- Toyota Camry (2006)
- Toyota Tarago (2006)
- Toyota RAV4 (2006)