Get ready for a thrilling automotive journey! The Toyota LandCruiser FJ, a retro-style four-wheel-drive, is creating quite the buzz in Australia, but here's where it gets controversial...
While there's a glimmer of hope for this smaller LandCruiser to grace Australian showrooms, reports suggest it's a long way off, if it happens at all.
The buzz is about a turbo-diesel version, which could be the first step towards its Australian debut. But there's a catch - it needs to meet the latest Euro 6d emissions regulations.
Emissions: The Great Challenge
If the FJ complies with Euro 6d, it might just give Toyota's Jimny competitor a run for its money. However, the aging petrol engine used in Japan doesn't cut it for Australia's tailpipe output standards.
And here's the kicker: it's not expected until 2029! By then, Australia's emissions rules, which penalize carmakers based on CO2 output, might be too tough for a turbo-diesel without hybrid assistance.
Safety First: Meeting Australian Standards
Apart from emissions, the FJ needs to pass Australian crash and child-seat safety regulations, which can vary from those in Japan and other stringent markets.
According to the Japanese publication Best Car, the 2.8-liter turbo four-cylinder diesel from the HiLux, Prado, and other Toyota models will power the LandCruiser FJ. In these vehicles, it delivers an impressive 150kW and 500Nm with a six-speed automatic and 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. Best Car even speculates that this engine could become even more powerful by 2029.
This is a significant upgrade compared to the 2.7-liter four-cylinder non-turbo petrol engine currently in the FJ, which only meets Euro 5 emissions rules, not Australia's Euro 6d.
The HiLux and Prado also only meet Euro 5 standards in Australia, but there are Euro 6d-compatible versions available overseas, which could be a potential solution.
Engine Update: A Step Towards Compliance
A variant of this engine, developed to meet Euro 6 Stage C rules, will be introduced in the LandCruiser 70 Series later this year. This engine will require AdBlue diesel exhaust additive, similar to the Euro 5 Prado.
This latest report differs from earlier claims that a smaller 2.4-liter turbo-diesel would be added instead of the 2.8-liter.
Toyota has not confirmed plans for a turbo-diesel engine in the LandCruiser FJ, as they typically avoid commenting on media speculation.
Sean Hanley, the former boss of sales and marketing at Toyota Australia, shared his thoughts at the Tokyo motor show last year. He acknowledged the FJ's appeal but highlighted the challenges of variable regulations, new criteria, and the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard.
Hanley emphasized the importance of carefully considering their product portfolio and customer needs. He stated that customers in Australia require the bigger LandCruiser, the 70 Series ute, and the HiLux.
These statements reflect the CO2 rules, which require car manufacturers to balance high-emissions vehicles with low- or zero-emissions examples to avoid government fines.
Given the popularity of the HiLux ute and the current LandCruiser family in Australia, adding the FJ would make it even more challenging for Toyota to meet these regulations.
However, Hanley suggested that if the 2.7-liter petrol engine or another compliant engine were available, the FJ could be reconsidered for local showrooms.
"If it were Euro 6, I'd reconsider it. If that was a Euro 6 engine, and if it does turn out to be that way - which it could - then that's something we could re-examine."
So, what do you think? Will the Toyota LandCruiser FJ make its way to Australia, or will it remain a distant dream? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
