Toyota started selling two new modifications of SUVs Land Cruiser 70 Seriesespecially in single cabin models (Land Cruiser 79) and the Station Wagon station wagon (Land Cruiser 76) launched in South Africa.

Models are offered at the following prices:

• Land Cruiser 79 2.8 GD-6 S/C MT — $49,800;
• Land Cruiser 76 2.8 GD-6 SW MT — $54,500.

The main innovation of these machines was the emergence of another five-speed “mechanics”. The power of the 2.8-liter engine remains at 203 hp, as in the version with automatic transmission, but the torque is reduced to 450 Nm (versus 500 Nm in the “automatic”).

Toyota said the manual transmission offers unique gear ratios and reinforced components for use in the Land Cruiser 70 Series. Compared to the previous manual Land Cruiser 70 Series model, the new manual transmission has been designed to make the most of the four-cylinder engine’s higher torque, with shorter first, second and third gears for better mileage and a longer fifth gear for better fuel mileage. Less engine noise when driving at economy and highway speeds.

The new transmission also uses a new flywheel compatible with the 12-inch clutch, which provides better clutch slip resistance, and a triple synchromesh mechanism is added to first gear, which improves shifting comfort.

In addition to the durability-enhancing engine improvements applied to four-cylinder models this year, manual transmission versions also feature a dust seal in the rear end plate to prevent dust from entering the release bearing.