Toyota Prado 2015 News

Toyota has unveiled a bold new look for its LandCruiser 200 Series before it arrives in showrooms here in October.As local sales of the LandCruiser pass 900,000 since 1958, the mid-life update to the model released in 2007 includes a raft of changes beyond the bigger grille, new bonnet and redesigned headlights.The 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine has been retuned to meet new, Euro 5 emissions standards, including the fitment of new injectors and a particulate filter.Power has increased by a modest 5kW to 200kW while peak torque remains 650Nm. Fuel use has dipped to 9.5L/100km (down from 10.3L/100km), according to the fuel rating label tests done in laboratory conditions. However, real world conditions will likely mean the 2.7-tonne heavy-duty 4WD will return higher consumption figures than the claim.The 4.6-litre petrol V8, which sells in modest numbers, is still available in three of the four LC200 models and has the same power output as before.The 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine has been retuned to meet Euro 5 emissions standardsTowing capacity remains unchanged at 3500kg.Pricing is yet to be announced, but the current model starts at $80,000 drive-away for the base GX diesel.The flagship Sahara, now $120,000 drive-away, gets safety and technology upgrades.Radar cruise control, lane departure warning, forward crash alert, and auto dipping high beam are standard on the flagship.However, autonomous emergency braking that can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and avoid a crash at low speeds is not yet available.Other creature comforts in the Sahara include air-conditioned seats and a wireless phone charger.The tailgate has a new panel between the restyled tail-lightsVX and Sahara grades gain a clearer information display panel between the instruments and a larger, nine-inch central touchscreen as part of the navigation unit.As before the basic GX is a five-seater, the GXL is an eight-seater while the VX and Sahara are seven-seaters.So you can spot the new one from behind, the tailgate has a new panel between the restyled tail-lights and a wider space for the registration plate.The updated LandCruiser heads an onslaught of new off-road vehicles from Toyota over the next few months, including the all-new HiLux ute, and its twin under the skin, the Fortuner seven-seater SUV. The Prado will get a new engine. However, despite the changes and new arrivals there is still no plan to introduce a diesel engine for the FJ Cruiser.The historical sales figures for LandCruiser include the original models imported into Australia to help build the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme in the late '50s and other more recent variants with the LandCruiser badge, including the LandCruiser wagon, Troop Carrier and ute, FJ Cruiser and Prado.

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The seven seater four wheel drive will likely be named ‘Everest’. Like the Ranger ute it’s based on, it’s developed by Ford Australia, whose design, research and development capability is expected to continue operating locally beyond manufacturing close down in 2016.The Territory rear end on this production test mule disguises a shorter wheelbase than the Ranger, which should make the Everest more manoeuvrable and agile on and off road. Like its rival, the Holden Colorado 7, the Ford is expected to upgrade the Ranger’s leaf springs and drum brakes to a live axle coil suspension setup and rear disc brakes.This should make the ride more passenger friendly, with the possibility of Ford adopting an independent rear suspension setup also an option. This would make the development more costly, but would favour passenger comfort and handling on road.A passenger version of the previous generation Ford Ranger has been in production in Thailand for several years, carrying the Everest name in that local market. But this is the first time the Everest SUV, which will be assembled in Thailand, will feature a smaller wheelbase and the expected suspension, brake and cabin refinement and passenger safety updates to make the SUV a competitive product in the global Ford portfolio.Like the Ranger, the Everest will be sold in European, American and Asia-pacific countries. No details have been revealed about engine and powertrain options, but expect little or no change to Ford’s 147kW 3.2-litre 5 cylinder Turbo diesel unit and 6 speed manual and automatic transmissions for our market. Ford’s 110kW 2.2-litre Turbo diesel, and 122kW 2.5-litre petrol may also feature in overseas models, but both are unlikely to make it to Australian showrooms.Low range is almost certain to continue too, making the Everest the most off road capable passenger four wheel drive offered by Ford Australia since the late 80s Maverick. A rear wheel drive model may also be on the cards, lowering the entry level price for families who don’t need the extra off road capability.Expect the Everest to launch in the second half of 2014, when the new model will need to win over the hearts of families and off road enthusiasts alike. The segment is currently dominated by the Toyota Prado with over 1000 sales per month, but it’s the soft roaders like the Ford Territory, Toyota Kluger, Holden Captiva 7 and Hyundai Santa Fe that make up the majority of sales combined, making passenger accommodation an important success factor.However, it’s the other ute-based passenger SUVs that will feel the heat of increased rivalry, with the Holden Colorado 7, Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Challenger squarely on Ford’s radar. Ford may gain some sales from Territory buyers too, once manufacturing of the local SUV stops in 2016. Territory’s likely replacement, the Ford Edge, is not available with a Diesel engine, meaning customers wishing to buy a diesel four wheel drive Ford will need to turn to the Everest.