NEW PRADO coming? Next year? 2015?

[Australian Member Find all posts View Profile Close Australian]

Toyota are walking a fine line with the Prado. Any improvements will be incremental so they do not crucify resale on earlier models. This is a large driver behind Prado sales. People know they hold their value better than any other vehicle, if Toyota messed too much with the new model they could alienate existing owners, which are a good source of repeat business for them. So Toyota will have a softly, softly approach. As some have mentioned, I'd expect the next model to shed a couple of hundred KGs (like the new discos have). They will further refine fuel efficiency and engine outputs. They could perhaps increase towing to 3000 KGs without killing too many cruiser sales (it is rated at 3500 KGs). Also as previously noted, the inclusion of aluminium panels and other high tech/strength components will become more prevalent. Whatever changes they make I think a V6 or V8 is very unlikely. People chasing the bigger engines will look to the Landcruiser. A twin/bi turbo is also unlikely. The cost hike and potential reliability issues would both work against the Prado positioning and brand image. Besides which, the current torque curve is relatively flat already which is ideal for a vehicle like this. This would render a more complex turbo arrangement largely irrelevant. Toyota could easily increase engine outputs on the D4-D. You can see what they are capable with even a simple aftermarket chip upgrade like Tunit. With their full engineering department behind them I have no doubt they already have a engine design ready to go.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

4 cylinders are cheaper to register than 6 or 8. I don't need another 8 cylinder registration. I could cope with a six though.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

What if they ditch the Kluger, build a new Prado without a full chassis to save that precious weight? With a revamped surf and a Mountaineer (klugerish) possibly coming soon.

[reggie426 Member Find all posts View Profile Close reggie426]

There's no way they'll drop the Kluger, they're taking more orders for them right now than they can supply. Sales of Prados are also up so they're in a win win.

I don't get the push for bigger prado engines, they're fine. If people want more look at the 200 series. My v6 has almost as much torque as a 100 series 1hdfte and more hp, so how much more do we need in a smaller vehicle?

[Beach Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beach]

I'm not a fan of making the Prado bigger in any way. I bought it over a Landcruiser because the cruiser is HUGE! (to channel Big Darrel Eastlake for a moment)

Its big enough as it is. I have this conversation every now and then. Its surprising how many Landcruiser owners realise, with hindsight, that the Landcruiser is just a tad large and the Prado would have been a wiser choice.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I would like to see them make the Diesel engine the same capacity as the V6, seems logical to me if they can have 4lt V6 Petrol why cant they have a 4lt V6 Diesel, should fit nicely and they can detune the engine a bit instead of wringing the neck out of a 3lt motor.

If I were to look at a brand new vehicle It would have to be the 200 series, missus wont go for the 76

Anyway, I've already got the best Prado they made so might stick with that for a while longer

Cheers Andrew

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

There's no way they'll drop the Kluger, they're taking more orders for them right now than they can supply. Sales of Prados are also up so they're in a win win.

I don't get the push for bigger prado engines, they're fine. If people want more look at the 200 series. My v6 has almost as much torque as a 100 series 1hdfte and more hp, so how much more do we need in a smaller vehicle?

Bigger engines because the diesel is a 4 cylinder, it's good but a v6 is perfect.
Yes your petrol has plenty of power no need to change it.

I'm not a fan of making the Prado bigger in any way. I bought it over a Landcruiser because the cruiser is HUGE! (to channel Big Darrel Eastlake for a moment)

Its big enough as it is. I have this conversation every now and then. Its surprising how many Landcruiser owners realise, with hindsight, that the Landcruiser is just a tad large and the Prado would have been a wiser choice.

No I don't want it any bigger than a 120. But it's too late, there's a 150, only 15mm shorter than a 200 series.
I'm not sure if you realise this but the 150 is all but the same size as a 200, only just over an inch wider each side.
But it's a v8 with a shipload of power & torque.

I would like to see them make the Diesel engine the same capacity as the V6, seems logical to me if they can have 4lt V6 Petrol why cant they have a 4lt V6 Diesel, should fit nicely and they can detune the engine a bit instead of wringing the neck out of a 3lt motor.

If I were to look at a brand new vehicle It would have to be the 200 series, missus wont go for the 76

Anyway, I've already got the best Prado they made so might stick with that for a while longer

Cheers Andrew

X2

Yep 3.5 v6 even, very nice. Or it's a 200 later on.


All the d.c utes have done it or will, so Hilux will have to lift its game, Prado won't be left behind, that should upset its loyal owners if they let that happen.

I'm told towing will increase to 3000kg early next year. ?????

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

I would expect that Toyota will be putting some sort of hybrid in the next Prado and Lancruiser.

[Beach Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beach]

No I don't want it any bigger than a 120. But it's too late, there's a 150, only 15mm shorter than a 200 series.
I'm not sure if you realise this but the 150 is all but the same size as a 200, only just over an inch wider each side.
But it's a v8 with a shipload of power & torque.

I'm told towing will increase to 3000kg early next year. ?????

Thats why I bought a 120. That and the fact the 150's are but ugly and were way to much.

How will towing capacity increase if the vehicle is made lighter?

I was under the impression that the weight of the towing vehicle is directly related to how much it can tow?

[shodown Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shodown]

How will towing capacity increase if the vehicle is made lighter?

I was under the impression that the weight of the towing vehicle is directly related to how much it can tow?

I think you'll find the ranger and colarado's are lighter than Prado's, yet 3-3.5T tow capacity.

And Prado's are rated higher in other countries apparently.....

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Thats why I bought a 120. That and the fact the 150's are but ugly and were way to much.

How will towing capacity increase if the vehicle is made lighter?

I was under the impression that the weight of the towing vehicle is directly related to how much it can tow?

That's why I've got 2 120's lol.....

Tow capacity is up to mr Toyo, you will have to ask him, that's what I've been told. Might be wrong.
You need to be carefull exactly what (eg; 2500kg towing) really means, not always if your vehicle is loaded.
For example a Navara within 3t, you allowed with 100kg in vehicle, so. 1 person no load? Lol......
Towing 3 tonne with 2 tonne? LMFAO

My rule is you should only tow 2/3-3/4 of the tow vehicles weight. Up to Same same if you have to but I don't like it.
Definitely not tow more than your towing with. But that's me

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

I would like to see them make the Diesel engine the same capacity as the V6, seems logical to me if they can have 4lt V6 Petrol why cant they have a 4lt V6 Diesel, should fit nicely and they can detune the engine a bit instead of wringing the neck out of a 3lt motor.

If I were to look at a brand new vehicle It would have to be the 200 series, missus wont go for the 76

Anyway, I've already got the best Prado they made so might stick with that for a while longer

Cheers Andrew

Because with the tiny market Australia provides the r&d won't be covered. Ever wondered why the 70series cost so much? The v8. The only reason they got away with it was because the mining sector guaranteed min. Sales at a certain price. No other country gets the 70 with the v8, they run the old 6. They drive on the other side of the road too.

Ever wondered why the 200 series cost $10k more with the diesel, because Australia is the largest market for that model and that's what it cost to offset the r&d per car. That margin has dropped now to about $6k but still a lot because of our small market and because of our side of the road.

Nissan don't have the mining sales to prop up the r&d required to reengineer the GU with a small volume large capacity v8 diesel that would help offset the cost to put it in the y62. The rest of the world drives on the other side and want petrol.

Prado is the same. But the main buyers are European and Asian and want diesel, so only right hand drive conversion is required to be r&d the engine is mostly carried through apart from local environmental changes.

The next prado will have what ever motor is competitive in its bulk markets and modified to be reliable here, and that may well be another 4cyl, or improved version of the current.

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

How will towing capacity increase if the vehicle is made lighter?

I was under the impression that the weight of the towing vehicle is directly related to how much it can tow?

Capacity is not related to the towing vehicles weight, not nearly as much as cooling, drive line strength and chassis strength is. Remember all trailers are braked above 750kg and the down weight is no more than 9% of the trailer.

Your only asking the car to hold 200-300kg extra, which is less than 7 passengers. And your only asking it to accelerate a GCM of 5-6Tonnes total. The braking is not increased, as the trailer brakes take car of that.

The limits for how far a manufacturer wants to stress its drive line is up to there internal standards. Toyota are more stringent with there capacities as they have the largest safety margin for reliability in our heat/dust/rough roads environment. Other marks push harder to make the car look more impressive. In reality on a very small number utilise the full capacity to any significant amount of time.

One of the tests is the repeated hill start test. From memory the max tow rating has to be hill started with no roll back several times in a row in very hot, and cold conditions to pass that component. Any failures cause the max tow rating to be dropped slightly till the vehicle can achieve it.

That's why a 4.2L Manual GU Patrol can tow 3500kg, a 3L Manual GU Patrol can tow 3000kg, and the auto only 2500rpm. Exact same car, different drive lines.

The TDV6 Territory had two ratings for the exact same driveline, albiet AWD/2WD differences. This was widely seen as a marketing rating to provide an advantage to paying $5k extra for AWD, otherwise there wasn't a reason for the upgrade.

The Ranger capacity increase was not due to the "revised welding technique/patter" that Ford claimed. It came from a 100kg reduction in payload for a 150kg increase in tow load. the GCM increased 50kg! Hardly impressive. But it looks good in the brochure.

This leads on to the GCM argument, the GCM which is the total combined mass is the tell tale sign of a good tow machine. Most 4WDs have a lower GCM than the total tow capcity and total GVM combined, which means the vehicle has to offload some weight to make the full tow capacity safe and legal. Often overlooked! Very few 4WDs can achieve full GVM and tow rating to have a high GCM. The LC200 and D4 are one of a few that can. Most utes come close, some don't (like the D40).

[setout Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close setout]

I'd have to agree on a number of points:
1. Engine really needs updating. Drop 2 cylinders of the V8TT??
2. Gearbox really needs updating to a modern 8 speed.
3. Barn doors have to go - I can't open the barn door very far when towing Plus the wife struggles to open on uneven ground.

I've just spent 5 days driving 6500km's across AUS with a tandem box trailer on the back kind of wishing I bought a 200 series or Disco or at least had a 3" exhaust & Chip installed.


+ The GPS is hopeless on the 2014 VX. Google maps is much more up to date and better at predicting arrival time.
+ Bring back the 180L fuel capacity (Had 3 120's)

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Holden dropped 200cc off the Colorado (now 2.8L) and gained more power, more torque and increased fuel efficiency. So Mr Tojo could down-size too. I wanna shoe-horn the Tundra 5.7L V8 turbo diesel into my Prado when I win lotto. Actually, I may as well just buy the Tundra.