New Prado set for Frankfurt

Toyota will take the unusual move of launching its new Prado in Germany. Though the world's largest carmaker is tightlipped, the Carsales Network believes the new medium SUV sales favourite will be launched concurrently to domestic Japanese and the world's media, on the eve of the opening of next month's Frankfurt motor show.

Very clearly derived from the current model, the new generation Prado is said to be slightly larger and more comprehensively equipped. Top of the range versions will get keyless entry and start, and integrated satnav and multimedia systems will also feature.

But real offroaders haven't been forgotten. Tipped to come Down Under in both three (SWB) and five-door versions, the new vehicle also features (at least in its range-topping variants) a version of the Australian-developed Kinetic suspension system fitted to the latest LandCruiser 200 Series.

Toyota Australia officials will not comment on the existence or timing of the new model despite the fact images and overseas sales brochures have already been leaked.

Though the images suggest the car's styling is very much derived from the outgoing model, expect the in-the-metal version to present as a more muscular vehicle. The Carsales Network's sources say the car has more than a hint of attitude thanks to bigger wheels and rubber, and LC200-style wheelarch blisters.

Though the Prado will be offered with a petrol V8 in markets like the Middle East, Australia is likely to see a revised 4.0-litre petrol V6 and a massaged version of Toyota's 3.0 D4-D direct-injected four-cylinder turbodiesel.

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