Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

The new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has landed on South African shores just a few weeks after its Frankfurt debut in September. Toyota claims that this is an all-new model with a "clean sheet design" and its heritage is the reason that the Land Cruiser brand has laid claim to the title "Master of Africa".
This new model sees the belt line positioned 20 mm higher, the extension of the engine cowl 45mm further forward, and a raised bonnet line. These features were designed to create "a powerful image for the new Prado" as well as to provide improved visibility and situational awareness for the driver.

According to Toyota"... the design brief for the new Prado required that any increase in overall size be kept to a minimum to preserve the excellent agility and manoeuvrability of the current model and retain its true mid-size SUV character". In keeping with this brief the overall length increases by 45 mm and overall width by 10 mm. The height of the new Prado is reduced by 20 mm compared to the model it replaces in an attempt to enhance aerodynamics and thus improve fuel economy.

The Prado design team aimed to improve interior space and utility. Toyota claims that the length of the cabin has increased by 35 mm, it is 5 mm wider, and the space between the driver and the front passenger is increased by 30 mm.

"The latest Land Cruiser Prado platform offers even greater levels of reliability, off-road capability, and comfort", says Toyota. The suspension comprises a double-wishbone independent suspension setup at the front and four-link with lateral rod system at the rear. Both systems use coil springs and "have been fine tuned to realise excellent handling, stability and ride comfort as part of this total overhaul of the Prado".

Two Prado models are on offer - a 3,0 VX diesel and and 4,0 VX petrol. The diesel develops 120 kW at 3 400 r/min, while the petrol delivers 202 kW at 5 600 r/min. Maximum torque is 400 N.m at 1 600 r/min in the diesel and 381 N.m at 4 400 r/min in the petrol. Both engines are mated with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Features of the transmission include Flex Lock-up Control and AI (Artificial Intelligence) Shift Control. Flex Lock-up Control increases the operating range of the lock-up clutch in the transmission by controlling slippage to enhance fuel economy. AI-Shift Control provides for improved driving comfort by automatically switching the gear shift pattern according to road conditions and the perceived intent of the driver based on his control inputs. When driving uphill the system prevents unnecessary shifts to a higher gear and when driving downhill the system will automatically engage a lower gear to optimise engine braking.

The VX specification means that the standard features list includes a four-spoke leather steering wheel, memory function for the seats, cruise control, a multi-information display, an audio system with 14 speakers dotted about the cabin and with Bluetooth capability as well as an AUX and USB input, rain-sensing Intermittent windscreen wipers, and much more.

Off-road features in the new Prado include CRAWL -a system that allows the vehicle to maintain a low uniform speed over the roughest ground by controlling engine throttle inputs and brake pressure to individual wheels, multi-terrain select - a first for Toyota, and a revised suspension that makes use of KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).

The new multi-terrain select system displays operational procedures for the driver and claims to control the acceleration dynamics of the vehicle. "Selecting one of the four available modes (mud and sand, rock, loose rock, and mogul) that best matches the terrain being negotiated prompts the system to provide easy to understand guidance while optimising throttle and brake control. This system allows even inexperienced off-road drivers to successfully negotiate the roughest off-road terrain".

Safety features include ABS, BAS, EBD, vehicle stability control, hill assist, downhill assist, seven airbags, USOFIX rear anchorage system, wireless door lock, and a multi-terrain monitor for assistance while reversing.