The LandCruiser 70 Series may soon require AdBlue exhaust additive top-ups under new emissions rules that will see production pause, but enough stock will be accumulated to cover the gap.
EXCLUSIVE
Production of the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series for Australia will grind to a halt for eight months starting later this year, as the iconic 40-year-old four-wheel drive prepares to meet forthcoming strict tailpipe emissions regulations in Australia.
And the new rules – which are different to the inbound New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) – could push the 2.8-litre diesel 4WD to require AdBlue exhaust additive fluid when it returns to production in 2026.
Toyota has confirmed to Drive that production of all variants of the LandCruiser 70 Series for Australia will pause for eight months from September 2025, to upgrade the vehicle to meet new Euro 6 emissions rules.
The production halt will begin the month after the final V8-powered 70 Series 4WDs are expected to roll off the production line.
However, Toyota Australia is not expecting a shortfall of stock during this period, with a spokesperson telling Drive "we have ordered additional supply to cover the time period".
The new tailpipe emissions rules applicable to the LandCruiser 70 Series are known as ADR 80/04, effectively the Australian name for the Euro 6 'Stage C' standard that has been in overseas markets for some time.
ADR 80/04 applies to heavy vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass of more than 3500kg, and came into force on November 1, 2024 for newly-introduced models.
From November 1, 2025, it will cover every new vehicle imported to Australia meeting its criteria, not just newly-launched models.
The standards are different to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) introduced this year, which will fine car makers based on the average CO2 emissions of the vehicles they sell – rather than setting limits on the other types of harmful gases new cars can emit.
While it may not look like one, an increase in its Gross Vehicle Mass three years ago to 3550kg to sidestep new safety rules for passenger vehicles means the LandCruiser 70 Series is now classified as a light truck, officially a 'Medium Goods Vehicle'.
That is a type of heavy vehicle, and means the Toyota will be required to comply with ADR 80/04.
They come into force for newly-introduced models from December 1, 2025, but not all vehicles on sale until July 1, 2028.
Where Australians are expected to notice the impact of the emissions rules on the 70 Series is with the addition of diesel exhaust additive fluid, known as AdBlue.
AdBlue has been required on the LandCruiser 70 Series in Japan since it was reintroduced there in 2023 with a variant of the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine.
The ‘AdBlue’ Selective Catalytic Reduction system is needed to meet local emissions requirements, which are known as Post New Long-Term Emissions Standards, but are similar to Euro 6 in stringency.
This system comprises a tank carrying an AdBlue solution, which is sprayed over exhaust gases to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) that leave the tailpipe.
The AdBlue filler is placed on the front-left wheel arch of Japanese-delivered models.
Toyota Australia is yet to formally confirm plans for AdBlue on the LandCruiser 70 Series, but it seems likely.
It has said the Prado can continue to be driven if it runs out of AdBlue while on the road, but if the engine is switched off, it will not restart until the fluid is added.
The full statement from a Toyota Australia spokesperson on the production pause is as follows: "There will be a production pause for LandCruiser 70 to allow for changes relating to the new ADR 80/04 (emissions) that comes into effect from 1 November 2025."
"The eight-month pause from September 2025 is based on the normal production cycle for this model. We have ordered additional supply so we can continue to meet demand for this rugged workhorse throughout the pause."
The V8 was succeeded by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine from the HiLux, Fortuner and Prado, which makes 1kW less (150kW) and up to 70Nm more (500Nm) despite the drop in swept volume.
First introduced only with a six-speed automatic transmission in 2023, the LandCruiser 70 Series four-cylinder later picked up the option of a five-speed manual transmission.
Sam Purcell has been writing about cars, four-wheel driving and camping since 2013, and obsessed with anything that goes brum-brum longer than he can remember. Sam joined the team at CarAdvice/Drive as the off-road Editor in 2018, after cutting his teeth at Unsealed 4X4 and Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures. Off-road writer of the Year, Winner - Sam Purcell
