Key Points
- The Land Cruiser 300 remains one of Toyota’s most in-demand SUVs worldwide.
- Toyota’s powertrain boss confirms a new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 is in development
- The new engine could technically fit into the Land Cruiser’s frame.
The Land Cruiser’s Missing Piece
The Land Cruiser is one of the most recognizable SUVs on the planet – enough for Toyota to bank on its nameplate to introduce a cheaper example. The current 300 Series, not to be confused with the smaller 250 Series now sold in the US, continues to enjoy long waiting lists across markets such as the Middle East, Australia, and parts of Asia.
However, the current LC300 sorely misses one thing: the sound and character of a V8. Ever since Toyota dropped the eight-pot option in the latest versions, the Land Cruiser’s twin-turbo V6 setup – though efficient and robust – hasn’t quite filled that gap.
That might change soon, with recent reports suggesting that Toyota could, at least technically, reintroduce V8 power to the Land Cruiser lineup.
A Possible Return for the V8
Speaking with the Australian media outlet Drive, Toyota’s global powertrain chief, Takashi Uehara, confirmed that the brand’s newly developed twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 has been engineered with flexibility in mind. In his words, “Yeah, it could be installed in a Land Cruiser. Nothing is impossible.”
The statement doesn’t guarantee anything, but it confirms that Toyota’s engineers have considered compatibility between the new V8 and the Land Cruiser’s large-frame architecture. For now, the brand has no concrete plans to produce a V8-powered Land Cruiser. Still, Uehara’s comment leaves the door open for future possibilities – particularly if market demand remains strong.
The last Land Cruiser to feature a V8 was the 200 Series, launched in 2007 and retired in 2021. While the newer twin-turbo V6 engines in the 300 Series provide improved efficiency, they’ve yet to recapture the torque-rich personality that defined earlier models.
Inside Toyota’s New V8
The new engine in question is Toyota’s first all-new eight-cylinder in nearly twenty years. It’s a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, expected to debut in Toyota’s upcoming GR GT flagship supercar. The engine is also part of Toyota’s modular family, which includes smaller turbocharged units, such as the 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines.
A hybrid version of the V8 is also being developed, pairing the combustion engine with electric assistance for extra torque and responsiveness – without relying on plug-in charging. Toyota says this setup focuses on enhancing performance rather than fuel economy alone.
While Lexus will likely use a refined version for its premium models, Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division is expected to tune it for rawer, more performance-driven applications. Whether the Land Cruiser joins that list is still a mystery at this point, but technically speaking, it’s possible.
