MY16 Prado details confirmed

More powerful, more efficient diesel and petrol engines and more standard equipment will be the headline acts of the upgraded Toyota Prado to be launched in August – just before Ford Australia launches its first direct rival in the all-new Everest.

Details of the MY16 Prado – first revealed by motoring.com.au a week ago have emerged via the federal Department of Transport's vehicle homologation website, from which these images were also sourced.

While the pictures reveal no significant exterior design changes from the major midlife makeover released here in November 2013, the website confirms our exclusive report that it will share a downsized diesel engine and new six-speed automatic with the new HiLux due to make its world debut in Sydney this Thursday.

Official Australian Design Rule figures show the new 2.8-litre (2755cc) four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine will produce 130kW at 3400rpm – 3kW more than the old 3.0-litre engine it replaces.

No torque figures are listed, but unofficial leaked specifications indicate the new HiLux 2.8 diesel will produce slightly more power (132kW) and no less than 450Nm of torque – 40Nm more than the outgoing HiLux 3.0 diesel – in six-speed auto form (420Nm with a six-speed manual).

Also listed in the official ADR document an upgraded 4.0-litre petrol V6 for the MY16 Prado, producing 207kW (5kW more than the current petrol 4.0 Prado) at the same 5600rpm.

So there's no sign of a petrol V6 continuing in the new HiLux, which is expected to be powered at base level by a 2.4-litre petrol four offering 112kW/343Nm in manual form and 125kW/400Nm as an auto.

Towing capacity for the upgraded Prado remains 750kg with an unbraked trailer and 2500kg (braked).

Little else is known ahead of the revised Prado's official launch on August 11, but we understand more standard equipment will be fitted across the range, including satellite-navigation for the GXL and rear cross-traffic alert for the Kakadu.

As we've reported, Toyota is also planning a tech upgrade for the larger 200 Series LandCruiser by the end of this year, by which time it will also release a facelifted Camry, Camry Hybrid, Aurion, Prius v, Corolla hatch and new HiLux.

Early next year, Toyota Australia will release the fourth generation of its iconic Prius hatch and the all-new Fortuner SUV – a seven-seat off-road wagon based on the Mk8 HiLux.