There is a chunky athleticism to the new look for the Toyota Prado, revealed recently on the global stage but only likely to make a landing in South Africa early next year.
Now, sharing its underpinnings with the Land Cruiser 300, purists will rejoice in the fact Toyota appears to be going back to its roots with the new version where the front end has a rectangular grille and tri-beam headlights, with a low-set front cowl to improve forward visibility.
At the rear, the Prado features a vertically oriented tailgate and simple tail-light signature to complement the front end, with silver lower bumpers at both the front and rear of the vehicle.
Longer and Wider
Measuring 4 920 mm long, 1 988 mm wide and 1 86 0mm tall, the all-new Prado is 95 mm longer and wider, and 10 mm taller than before. Its 2 850 mm wheelbase is 60 mm longer and matches the length of the Land Cruiser 300.
Those Cruiser underpinnings mean its sits on the TNGA-F ladder-frame chassis and this is 50% more rigid than on the current Prado – helping overall rigidity to improve by 30%.
Its off-road credibility is boosted via Toyota's new stabiliser-bar control system, which allows the front stabiliser bar to be disconnected for improved wheel articulation, while enhanced functionality for the multi-terrain select and multi-terrain monitor systems helps the Prado go even further off-road.
Electric Power Steering
Adopting electric power steering provides enhanced low-speed manoeuvrability on-road, maximises control when off-roading and allows compatibility with active safety systems such as lane trace assist.
There will be petrol and diesel options but details of just what configurations will be launched locally will only be released at the time of launch.
Colin Windell - proudly CHANGECARS
