Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series-based V8 6×6 patrol vehicles rejected by Army
A bid to supply the Australian Army with V8-powered, six-wheel-drive Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series utes has been unsuccessful – but private militias will soon have the chance to purchase the prototypes.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has rejected a proposal for specially-engineered reconnaissance vehicles based on the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series.
Queensland firm AEP Engineering announced it was unsuccessful in putting forward its Military Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (MLRV) for use with the Australian Army, despite the highly-modified six-wheel-drive vehicle being based on the V8-powered Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series.
AEP Engineering had put forward the vehicle for use on Australian soil by the Army – potentially freeing up ADF Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen models for deployment overseas, which are designed to be transported by the Royal Australian Air Force.
As Drive reported in June 2022, AEP's MLRV had been deployed with the 31st/42nd Battalion from The Royal Queensland Regiment, as well as the 11th Combat Support Battalion and the 11th Engineer Regiment.
It's understood the MLRVs were being considered for Australia's Regional Force Surveillance Units – specialised infantry units deployed along remote coastal areas of Australia – with a wide range of LandCruiser parts available compared to the Mercedes-Benz, due to the existing popularity of the Toyota in remote areas.
"Of note, we built the vehicles for Land Trial 63, which was not a success for us," the company wrote in a statement.
"AEP tried several times to get them into other potential opportunities with the ADF and we were unsuccessful."
AEP Engineering says the four prototypes will soon be put up for sale through Pickles Auctions – including a pre-production 6x6 ambulance – with an initial expected price guide of approximately $150,000.
Two prototypes have 2500 kilometres on the odometer, while the other two have 4000km.
In July 2024, Toyota announced it had axed the turbo-diesel V8 engine for the LandCruiser 70 Series, with all models now powered by a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine.
As reported in May 2024, the ADF is in talks with the Australian Government about transitioning its vehicle fleet to electric power.
