Toyota has confirmed what was arguably the worst-kept secret in the automotive industry, with the news its turbodiesel V8 is to be killed off from the LandCruiser range.

The writing has been on the wall for the 4.5-litre bruiser since the LandCruiser 300 Series ditched V8 power in late 2021 in favour of a more responsive and fuel-efficient twin-turbo V6 diesel.

That move was followed late last year by the launch of the new LandCruiser 70 Series commercial range which introduced a revamped version of the proven 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel that powers the HiLux and other models in Toyota’s range.

That engine was positioned to sell alongside the V8, with the rub being that Toyota had not taken new orders for 70 Series V8s since July 2022.

Journalists speculated at the time that the introduction of the four-cylinder engine, mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic, meant the writing was on the wall for the bent eight, particularly given the four-pot offered more torque, better fuel consumption and superior driveability to the manual-only V8.

Despite this, Toyota remained coy about the V8’s demise, maintaining that it remained part of the 70 Series lineup and stating that existing customers who had an order in place would be preferentially offered the four-cylinder model as an alternative, with the carrot being they’ll get their vehicle sooner.

The company insisted at the time that no V8 customers would be forced to take a four-cylinder model and that all existing orders would be filled for those customers who chose not to switch.

Now, the Japanese car maker has officially confirmed that orders for the 1VD-FTV 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 will not be reopened and that final production of the V8 Wagon, Troop Carrier, WorkMate and GX pick-ups will take place in September, with the last batch of vehicles expected to be delivered in late 2024 or early 2025.

But, in a farewell twist, production of the V8 will continue until the final quarter of 2025 as the car maker fulfils existing orders of the high-demand 79 Series GXL single and double cabs.

Toyota also used the V8 news to foreshadow the arrival of a five-speed manual transmission for ‘most’ 70 Series four-cylinder variants.

The new gearbox, which is engineered for higher torque than its V8 sibling, will be available from October production on all body styles and grades, except for single cabs and Workmate Wagon which will be auto-only.

Toyota Australia Vice-President Sales, Marketing & Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the decision to bring down the curtain on the V8 had been inevitable due to changing regulations and community expectations.

Let us do the work finding your next new car

“Bidding farewell to the V8 marks the end of one chapter and the start of another for the go-anywhere 70 Series – a vehicle that’s renowned for its ruggedness, reliability and simply getting the job done,” Mr Hanley said.

The new five-speed gearbox is derived from the V8 manual and adapted for the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. Compared with the V8’s H150F five-speed, the four-cylinder’s H153F manual has unique gear ratios and additional components to suit its high torque and tough customer usage, according to Toyota.

It has been calibrated with shorter first, second and third gears to aid off-the-line performance, with a triple synchronisation mechanism added to first gear to promote smoother changes.

A taller fifth-gear ratio helps improve fuel economy as well as reducing engine noise at highway speeds, the company said.

Other changes include a newly adopted flywheel compatible with a 12-inch clutch to ensure smooth engagement and power delivery.

More information, including pricing and fuel economy of the 70 Series manual range will be released closer to its introduction.