Car news, 8 July ’24: Toyota axes the V8 Land Cruiser 70 Series, Ineos halts Fusilier EV plans, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Monday July 8th 2024. Toyota Australia has confirmed that the 4.5-litre V8 engine used in the Land Cruiser 70 Series is ending production, and Ineos is looking to delay its first EV, the Fusilier, due to changing EV market conditions.

Browse this issue:

• Toyota axes V8 engine for Land Cruiser 70 Series range 
• Ineos Fusilier 4×4 EV delayed due to slowing EV demand
• Lake Macquarie is getting a new racetrack
• Reviewed: 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E long-term introduction

Toyota Australia discontinues turbo-diesel V8 that powers the current 70-Series  

• Toyota Australia has announced it will stop offering the turbo-diesel V8 engine that has been available in its iconic and much-loved Land Cruiser 70 Series model since 2007. 

• The 4.5-litre engine, designation 1VD-FTV, will move aside for the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine also found in the popular Toyota Hilux. 48-volt technology found in the Hilux range has not yet been confirmed for the Land Cruiser 70 Series. 

• Toyota has confirmed that production of V8 engines will only continue into 2025 for 79 Series GXL variants. Wagon, Troopy, Workmate and GX will see final production in September, before vehicles land in customers hands late in 2024, or early in 2025.

• For those wanting a manual transmission 70 Series, Toyota has developed a new five-speed gearbox engineered for high torque which will be available from October production, the brand states. 

• Future pricing and further specification will be released in due course.  

Ineos hits the brakes on Fusilier EV due to slowing demand 

• Ineos, the builder of the Grenadier off-roader, has had to delay its next model, the all-electric Fusilier, due to slowing demand in the electrified segment. 

• According to reports from Auto Express, Ineos is committed to bringing its Fusilier EV to market, but as a small automaker, it needs to produce a model that will ultimately sell. 

• It’s a model that was expected to launch in 2027, but Ineos isn’t likely to resume development for quite some time. 

• Ineos currently builds the Grenadier SUV and its Quartermaster ute variant, both of which are sold in Australia. Pricing is steep, however, with the Grenadier priced starting from $105,000 before on-road costs. 

Lake Macquarie set to gain a new racetrack, Black Rock Motor Resort  

• New South Wales is set to gain a new racetrack called the Black Rock Motor Resort, located in Teralba, Lake Macquarie, around 1.5 hours from Sydney. 

• A $95 million project, the Black Rock site has been designed by the Tilke Group, a design and engineering firm known for designing iconic race tracks including the Red Bull Ring, the Bahrain International Circuit and the Yas Marina Circuit. 

• A 5.4 km track, the Black Rock circuit will also include a go-kart track, restaurants, premium accommodation and driver training facilities. 

• The project is currently in its planning phase, and will be built on a 252 hectare property. It’s expected to open to the public in roughly two years time.  

Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium long-term update

• Chasing Cars digital production specialist Tom Place’s first long-term update for the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium was published, including his thoughts on his first experiences and impressions with Ford’s first electric SUV.
  
• Place’s positive first impressions included Ford’s soft leather seats, crisp Bang & Olufsen sound system and delightfully muted cabin thanks to a whisper-quiet drivetrain. 
  
• Place also welcomed the use of the 15.5-inch screen’s multiple-use rotary dial, which can be used for fan speed, volume and temperature control.
  
• Place has much more to say on his Mach-E Premium, including a proper range and recharge test, which will be revealed in a future update.
  

READ: Link to written review

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Tuesday 9th July at 4.30pm Sydney time.