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wengnuts · 07-11-2009, 10:02 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Excellent photos Mav, thanks for sharing. Is it true that ground clearance for the NG is now 220mm?

troy_i · 07-11-2009, 10:03 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

good photo's.. can't wait ..

RobA · 07-11-2009, 10:06 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

That looks to be the Brisbane launch for sales and fleet.

Already completed in South Australia from Monday to Wednesday. Having spent three days driving all models I can offer the following observations
This is a completely different vehicle in the way it feels, handles and performs on and off-road, regardless of model
Whilst the changes to both engines are not large they are significant making both more flexible and with improved throttle response
Do not underestimate the suite of off-road technology in the Kakadu version (replaces Grande) With electronic rear diff, KDSS and CRAWL it is a powerful combination and worked extremely well on or demonstration track where we pushed them pretty close to the design limits
KDSS is electronic and hydraulic which makes it a very different animal from LC200. On road performance exceeds a LC200 and off-road as well but combined with CRAWL
The camera technology, particularly predictive path where you can see over an obstacle when you cannot see over the bonnet is quite handy
The vehicle is quieter, stiffer and has a higher grade of interior fit on all grades
The manual has a clutch lockout so you cannot start it in gear inadvertantly. But there is a bypass switch hidden away which you can activate to complete a key stall start with one. Makes choosing an auto much easier as a decision

GX is at a good price point and well sorted for off-road work

The new seating system, rear passenger and cargo area, is fixed to the floor on slides and on the face of it looks like it will be an extremely challenging process to remove them to put in a storage system in both areas. Only time will tell

This is a very different vehicle for sure. Looks great in the flesh as I have mentioned months back and I reckon will sell like hot cakes. There are already 1250 orders for the Kakadu sight unseen price unknown

Regards

RobA

RobA · 07-11-2009, 10:08 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Originally posted by wengnuts

Excellent photos Mav, thanks for sharing. Is it true that ground clearance for the NG is now 220mm?

I posted all the specs in the other discussion thread but yes the five door versions are 220mm and the three door is 210 mm

Regards

RobA

MDS69 · 07-11-2009, 10:27 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Originally posted by RobA

Whilst the changes to both engines are not large they are significant making both more flexible and with improved throttle response

Regards

RobA

I wonder if it is possible to have some sort of software upgrade to the 120 with the 150 specs to get better fuel efficiency (talking petrol version here). I realise some of the fuel savings would be due to drag co-efficiency (or whatever it is) and weight etc but I wonder what other sensors etc may be present on the 150 but not the 120.

ozgeoff · 07-11-2009, 10:42 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Originally posted by mav

On a photographic forum I am a member of there is a member who took a pre-release test drive today of the new 150 series. He took some photos of the action and said they had a blast in it. His photo album can be seen here:

Great stuff ... thanks for that Mav. Do we know what level the NG is equivalent to in the 120 series?

mav · 07-11-2009, 10:49 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Originally posted by MDS69

Originally posted by RobA

Whilst the changes to both engines are not large they are significant making both more flexible and with improved throttle response

Regards

RobA

I wonder if it is possible to have some sort of software upgrade to the 120 with the 150 specs to get better fuel efficiency (talking petrol version here). I realise some of the fuel savings would be due to drag co-efficiency (or whatever it is) and weight etc but I wonder what other sensors etc may be present on the 150 but not the 120.

Don't forget it has 30 litres less fuel weight and a smaller tank weight.

mav · 07-11-2009, 10:51 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Originally posted by RobA

That looks to be the Brisbane launch for sales and fleet.

Regards

RobA

Aye Rob that would be what it was despite the Vic number plates.

RobA · 07-11-2009, 05:31 PM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Originally posted by mav

Originally posted by RobA

That looks to be the Brisbane launch for sales and fleet.

Regards

RobA

Aye Rob that would be what it was despite the Vic number plates.

Not correct! There are two groups of 25 cars being moved around Australia on rotation to get to each launch. The SA launch had Victorian registered vehicles so don't assume based on what you see

Regards

RobA

mav · 07-11-2009, 07:07 PM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Originally posted by RobA

Originally posted by mav

Originally posted by RobA

That looks to be the Brisbane launch for sales and fleet.

Regards

RobA

Aye Rob that would be what it was despite the Vic number plates.

Not correct! There are two groups of 25 cars being moved around Australia on rotation to get to each launch. The SA launch had Victorian registered vehicles so don't assume based on what you see

Regards

RobA

Rob, I am not sure what you are meaning but the photos were taken at a 4WD Adventure Park in Beaudesert, 45 minutes west of the Gold Coast on a pre-release drive.One of the cars had a VIC number plate as can be quite clearly seen. The person taking the shots was a Toyota Salesperson involved in the event. I was in contact with him today.

RobA · 08-11-2009, 08:38 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Yep my apologies I misread your comment. As has been identified those shots are from the Brisbane launch. The salesperson would have been courting death as cameras of any sort are banned from the launch sites. Normally even phones are removed. Still a little leakage within a week of the launch will be good to create more interest. Several of the launch cars are running in car video and there is a special site for dealerships where they can access still shots and videa of any of the launch events in Australia. Quite an interesting approach and every site is different.

We will be putting an album up on our website sometime after the launch subject to fina approval from Toyota

Regards

RobA

Guest · 08-11-2009, 08:46 AM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Originally posted by RobA

The salesperson would have been courting death as cameras of any sort are banned from the launch sites. Normally even phones are removed. Still a little leakage within a week of the launch will be good to create more interest.RobA

Thats odd Rob, I was actually invited as a photographer to the Adelaide event with the comment from the Toyota head guy as "The more press coverage the better"? It was all passed thru Bates as well... Sadly my day job got in the way and I had to give it a miss.

I also note the Flickr album linked before was taken with an EOS 7D not a cheap or easily hidden camera :wink:

ntp · 08-11-2009, 12:05 PM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

I think I just spotted some new ones here in a secure storage yard in Darwin. Will check out soon and, if I'm right, post some pics.

KJA · 08-11-2009, 12:36 PM

Re: Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Does anyone know if there will be any NG models at the 4WD show in Perth next weekend?

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Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

Pre-release test drive of the new Prado.

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