Toyota SA explains why it brought back the Land Cruiser 78 Wagon…

By: CAR magazine

Earlier in February 2021, we broke the news Toyota South Africa Motors had revived the Land Cruiser 78 Wagon. Now the firm has explained its decision.

The Japanese company’s local arm says it cut the 78-badged model – which is affectionately known as “Troopy” (short for “Troop Carrier”) – from the 70 Series line-up back in August 2015 due to “reduced demand”.

However, Toyota SA Motors says it recently received “some specific market requests for this type of vehicle”, leading to the Land Cruiser 78 Wagon’s reintroduction to the local market. It will be sold on a “customer order only basis” for the price of R716 000.

The specifications mirror those of the 2015 model, with the exception of a switch to drum brakes at the rear. The utilitarian 78-badged model ships standard with black bumpers, black side-mirrors housings and a black grille. It features vinyl seat trim, PVC floor mats and a urethane finish for cabin items such as the four-spoke steering wheel and the gear knob.

As we pointed out in our earlier story, the Land Cruiser 78 is powered by Toyota’s 1HZ 4,2-litre straight-six diesel engine, producing 96 kW at 3 800 r/min and 285 N.m at 2 200 r/min. Drive is directed to all four wheels via a “heavy-duty” five-speed manual transmission with a low-range-equipped transfer case.

It sips from a 90-litre tank (but also boasts a secondary tank of the same capacity) at a claimed rate of 11,9 L/100 km and tops out at 145 km/h. Measuring 4 990 mm long, 1 770 mm wide and 2 115 mm tall, the 78 Wagon has a wheelbase of 2 980 mm, a ground clearance of 235 mm and a braked towing capacity of 1 500 kg.

Troopy rides on steel wheels and is available in just two exterior colours: Ivory White and Sand Beige. Sporting two doors and five seats, it slots in below the four-door Land Cruiser 76 Wagon. It’s effectively a 79 single-cab bakkie with a permanently attached, high-roof hard-top, a second row of three seats and a vertically spilt tailgate (featuring a mounted spare wheel).

A three-year/100 000 km warranty is included, while a service plan is optional (with intervals of 5 000 km).

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