New Toyota LandCruiser Prado launch window revealed: When you'll see LC300-inspired seven-seater - reports

Toyota is now just days away from unveiling a new LandCruiser Prado, according to new reports out of Japan, but don't get your hopes too high just yet. But there is much bigger news just around the corner.

According to Japan's Best Car Web, the long-awaited update to the LandCruiser Prado is some way off delivering an all-new model. In fact, the changes this time are mostly small updates focusing on emissions and interior specification.

The site is reporting that the new Prado will be launched domestically on August 2, with the changes considered so minor that won't alter the local list prices of the Prado range.

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But there is hope on the LandCruiser horizon, with the site reporting a new model is being prepped for launch in 12 months, with Toyota targeting the Japanese summer (from the beginning of June to the end of August) in 2023 as the launch date for the a significantly new Prado.

This time around, though, expect the updates to focus on emission tweaks, but they could also include special-edition models that will act as a send-off to the current Prado.

It's what is coming next, though, that is more exciting, with the next Prado to usher in a new era for Toyota's venerable family focussed off-roader.

The redesigned Prado will reportedly borrow a lot from the LC300, including its TNGA-F body-on-frame platform and a version of its 227kW/700Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 engine. Petrol and diesel ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrain options are also expected.

Japanese reports - first published in Japan's Best Car Web – suggest the new Prado will be equipped with the LC300 V6.

We don't know yet whether that engine will be detuned for the Prado, or will be able to access the grunt on offer in the 300 Series.

If it's the latter, then it's not just the most powerful Prado ever, then, but it will also share bragging rights (with the LC300) as sporting the most powerful diesel engine that's ever lived inside any vehicle with a LandCruiser badge.

It must be said, though, that Toyota is yet to officially comment one way to the other – and earlier reports had pointed to the large SUV being offered with 2.8-litre twin-turbo diesel and 2.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines initially, while diesel- and petrol-electric hybrid powertrains would follow – so time will have to tell.

Electric diesel-hybrid technology is on the cards for Australia, too, with the brand's local General Manager of Product Planning and Development, Rod Ferguson, having previouly told CarsGuide that the brand was "actively considering" diesel-electric technology for its traditionally diesel-powered range, specifically referecning the HiLux.

"We know that some people are particularly wedded to diesel. Some farmers, for example, store diesel on their property, or it’s more accessible, or you’re in a region where you can’t have petrol," he told us.

"There are definite reasons to consider both of those of those options, and we’re actively considering both of those options.

"It's technically feasible, and there are open discussions, definitely. It all comes back to our desire to driver down our C02 emissions."

No mater what's powering it, if the new Prado looks anything like these renders, we're in.

These renders – from content creator Kelsonik - imagining the Prado as a baby LandCruiser 300 Series in GR Sport trim, complete with "Toyota" lettering, the blacked-out grilled and the headlights that seem to fuse with the front-end to form a solid line through the grille.