The revised 2018 Toyota Prado has been revealed overnight at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is due Down Under in November… the petrol V6 being dropped from local lineup.
THE REVISED TOYOTA LANDCRUISER PRADO has finally been revealed after weeks of spy images culminating in last week’s images of a production Prados built and lined up in a holding yard ready for distribution. Toyota Australia will release the revised Prado here in November, although it is now on-sale in Japan.
And, looking at Japanese specs for the new Prado we know it’ll also get a Torsen limited-slip differential for the rear differential with the option to select between five driving modes (Normal, Eco, Comfort, Sport S, and Sport S+). The wading depth is 700mm with an approach and departure angle of 31 and 28-degrees, respectively. In normal driving the drive split will be 40:60 front to rear.
In Japan, buyers can choose from a number of bodykit variants, including TRD and the Modellista range.
The big news with the unveiling in Germany is that all model grades will receive an expanded “advanced safety features”.
The refreshed Prado clearly borrows its front-end looks from its bigger brother the 200 Series. Here’s how Toyota describes it, “Prado’s freshened exterior features a bonnet sculpted in the centre to enhance downward visibility with fenders that have been re-profiled to help drivers more easily locate the vehicle extremities.
“The revised grille – displaying broad vertical bars with slit-shaped cooling openings finished in chrome – is flanked by restyled headlamps with main beams positioned inboard to avoid damage from obstacles during off-road driving.
“Lower corners on the new front and rear bumpers kick upwards to enhance off-road manoeuvrability. The redesigned rear includes new lamp clusters and a smaller rear garnish plate incorporated within the number-plate surround.”
The interior has been re-worked to bring the dashboard’s design into the modern day.
As mentioned, it’s the safety story that Toyota’s championing given its keeping key details like the suggested improved approach and departure angles and pricing a secret. The safety suite that was once confined to the VX and Kakadu variants is now being made available to the automatic-equipped GX and GXL variants. The technologies include a Pre-Collision Safety system “that can now detect impact risks with pedestrians as well as vehicles”.
The system uses a camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror and a radar in the grille, “these devices enable the Prado to operate its brakes autonomously to reduce the vehicle’s speed and even bring the car to a halt. A smart active cruise control system can also slow the car to a standstill if necessary”.
Every Prado is now equipped with a Lane Departure Alert and automatic high beam. The
VX grade, in addition, gets Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. These systems were previously only available on the Kakadu.
In Australia, the Prado will now only be available with a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine (this engine accounted for 98.8% of sales and so the petrol V6 is being dropped). Mated to the six-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain develops an impressive 450Nm of torque between 1600 and 2400rpm. When mated to the six-speed manual transmission available in the GX or GXL, this engine develops peak torque of 420Nm from 1400 to 2600 rpm. Maximum power is 130kW at 3400rpm.
According to Toyota, further details, including other new premium features and pricing, will be announced closer to the vehicle’s arrival in local dealerships.
The internal images of the new Prado indicate a welcome tidy up. The dashboard seems much more sorted in its design. Hopefully the lighter coloured upholstery will be available in Australia, Toyota Australia seem to favour BLACK no matter what is available from Japan.
The addition of safety gear such as Blind Spot Monitoring is a welcome step away from Toyota Australia’s tendency to only make the good safety gear available on only the top of the range, its now available on the top half of the range. Some would see this as a pretty cynical approach to safety options.
The loss of the petrol engine is a pity. At a time where the realities of diesel particle pollution and imaginative diesel fuel economy figures are being laid out for all to see, it is disappointing that Toyota does not want to evolve the petrol options towards better economy.
The availability of terrific internal space and storage plus the high seating position make the Prado a family favourite with many a diesel engine model doing little more than school and shopping runs, which is sub-optimal for a diesel.
Current model petrol Prados have been in short supply for some time, unless you were willing to purchase the few gunmetal grey versions that were still available. I love this colour, it allows you to sneak up on the kangaroos at dusk, or more likely drift into the local school’s stop-drop-&-go anonymously.
Pricing will be interesting….
The V6 petrol motor was one of the best things about the Prados. I had two of them, a 2003 and a 2009, both petrol. The 4ltr V6 was such a great towing motor, and was a far better motor all round, than the current 2.8 Diesel. Put the V6 petrol back in, and I’ll but one tomorrow.