Toyota reveals updated Prado

Underscoring just how important the Australian market is for the new Prado, the local arm of Toyota launched the car today simultaneously alongside its debut in Japan and at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing, David Butter, said that despite Australia relatively small population it is the fourth largest market for the Prado behind the Middle East, Europe and China.

"More than 150,000 LandCruiser Prados are expected to be on the road by the end of the year," Buttner said.

"Prado's success can be attributed to its blend of impressive off-road capabilities, inherent in its LandCruiser DNA, with everyday utility and comfort. LandCruiser Prado has continuously evolved to satisfy diverse customer needs – and fourth-generation Prado will accelerate that trend," Buttner opined.

Due to go on sale in November, the latest Prado is the fourth generation model the Japanese giant has built, but only the third to make it to Australia. Based on the LandCruiser platform but designed to be a more family-friendly onroad, the Prado has become of the Toyota Australia's biggest hits since it went on sale in 1996.

The new model is larger than the outgoing version (that was first launched in 2002) measuring 80mm longer, 10mm wider and 15mm lower, but it is largely a case of evolutionary business-as-usual, with panel lines, front and rear ends inheriting styling elements of the 200 Landcruiser and LX570.

The company remains coy about pricing and specification levels – the reveal car’s windows were blackened, keeping even the interior under wraps. Indeed Buttner laughed off sustained questioning on the pricetag and grade levels with promises that more will be revealed at the car’s local launch in November.

The new Prado keeps its predecessors’ ladder frame chassis, with additional bashplates providing more underside protection. Key styling features include 200 Series style head and taillight housings, the latter incorporating LEDs. The front end of the reveal car also featured a camera for improved off-road vision, but Toyota was not prepared to confirm whether or not it will appear on any spec level in Australia.

Ditto on air suspension... However, the company was prepared to say the car will feature some of the more prominent rough-roading features already evident in the 200 and LX570. More will be revealed? Count on it...

Power for the new model comes from an updated version of the 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine found in the outgoing Prado. Upgrades include Toyota dual VVT-I (variable valve timing) to improve power by 10 per cent while also increasing torque and improving fuel economy and emissions; although exact figures remain under wraps.

There will also be an improved version of the 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine as well, which Toyota claims has improved emissions and can achieve better than 9.0L/100km.

Although final specifications and pricing are yet to be revealed other details to emerge from today's reveal include seven airbags will be fitted as standard along with electronic stability control and traction control. A three-door model is expected to join the five-door example unveiled today.

-- with staff

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