New 2.8 Land Cruiser

[grips]

Had a good look at the new 2.8 auto Cruiser yesterday.
Nicer in flesh than in pics.
Hope to test drive one soon.

[Mad Manny]

You need to spend a day with one. You'll love that auto, then when you get back into your hand rat dinosaur, youll know....

[AndreasR]

You not getting any younger Christo. Auto will also free up a hand for the Stroh!!!

[Trolly Fan]

A few years back I had my Y60 GQ bonnet modified to make the TB 48 fit better inside the GQ body.
Looks like Toyota's styling was influenced by it.

[Redman]

The current sales figures here in Kangarooville for the 2.8 are double what Toyota expected. I think a lot of buyers decided to just give the 2.8 a quick test drive to see how it goes, and then they end up being convinced.

It really is as nice a drive as one can hope to get in a 70 series

[Mad Manny]

Redman, I hear most new sales since the relaunch in Arsetrailia, have been of the 2.8 not the V8, is this correct....?

[jakeslouw]

Go and buy them, guys, I need a second hand selection in 4 years..........

[Mad Manny]

You'll pay R1million + for a 2024 model in 2028....

Start saving...

[Redman]

Hi Manny, that is correct... My local dealership has a few 4.5 V8's in stock from customers that changed their order to the 2.8...

Not sure on the RSA spec though, but I believe the 2.8 here in the colony has a few extra features to the one Toyota SA is putting in the market?

[jakeslouw]

You'll pay R1million + for a 2024 model in 2028....

Start saving...

Oh well. Then I'll buy a 4.5 TDV8. Oh, wait.........they'll still also be over 1 bar

[Trolly Fan]

The current sales figures here in Kangarooville for the 2.8 are double what Toyota expected. I think a lot of buyers decided to just give the 2.8 a quick test drive to see how it goes, and then they end up being convinced.

It really is as nice a drive as one can hope to get in a 70 series

So, I watched this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ohpZc5VaJs
From what I can tell, besides the face lift, it is essentially only the engine that changed. The engine being pretty much the same as the 2.8 GD6 in the Hilux and Fortuner, with some minor tweaks.
I know this car is very reliable.
I know it comes without the bells and whistles of modern vehicles.
And I totally get why people want it (I have the same in my Y60/GQs and I love the mechanical ruggedness and simplicity).

What I don't get is why are people going gaga over this model compared to its predecessor.

[jakeslouw]

What I don't get is why are people going gaga over this model compared to its predecessor.

Because it is "new". South Africans (and Ozzies too, it appears) have FOMO Syndrome: as soon as the latest vehicle is released (even if it's a minor face-lift or a so-called "legend" model) they fall over themselves for the stuff. Like little children. I've met guys that have a struggling business, but they'll trade their 2 year old pickup in just so that the "new" version can stand in the driveway. Then they claim the tax benefits pay for the new vehicle.( They don't. )

[Mad Manny]

The main attraction is its auto.
If they brought out the V8 diesel in Auto the 2.8 wouldn't sell as well.

[jakeslouw]

The main attraction is its auto.
If they brought out the V8 diesel in Auto the 2.8 wouldn't sell as well.

There was a conversion offered by somebody? Zone Offroad?

[grips]

The current sales figures here in Kangarooville for the 2.8 are double what Toyota expected. I think a lot of buyers decided to just give the 2.8 a quick test drive to see how it goes, and then they end up being convinced.

It really is as nice a drive as one can hope to get in a 70 series

So, I watched this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ohpZc5VaJs
From what I can tell, besides the face lift, it is essentially only the engine that changed. The engine being pretty much the same as the 2.8 GD6 in the Hilux and Fortuner, with some minor tweaks.
I know this car is very reliable.
I know it comes without the bells and whistles of modern vehicles.
And I totally get why people want it (I have the same in my Y60/GQs and I love the mechanical ruggedness and simplicity).

What I don't get is why are people going gaga over this model compared to its predecessor.

People go gaga ever time a new 70 Series Cruiser update are released. Same happened when they released the V8.

Toyota have found the magic in keeping the 70 Series alive. It is busy outlasting all its direct competitors by more than a decade now.
Since the FJ45 Land Cruiser have become an icon that span over most countries on earth.

Nissan could have done the same with the Patrol bakkie but have completely failed to keep up with modern times.