Toyota continues production of long-running 1HZ diesel engine

Toyota continues to produce the 1HZ, a 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder atmospheric diesel engine, for the Land Cruiser 70 series. Despite being in production for over 36 years, this engine remains a staple in markets where reliability and durability are prioritized over modern performance standards.

Unlike contemporary diesel engines, the 1HZ features a simple mechanical design without a turbocharger, common-rail injection, electronic control units, DPF filters, or EGR systems. This lack of complex electronics and emissions hardware allows the engine to operate on lower-quality fuel and remain functional in remote areas lacking advanced diagnostic tools or specialized service centers.

The engine produces approximately 131 HP and 285 Nm of torque. While its Euro 2 emission standard makes it ineligible for new vehicle registration in the European Union, it remains highly sought after by humanitarian and security organizations in regions such as Australia, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia.