New Toyota Prado Displays "rugged Elegance", 5 November 2009
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New Toyota Prado Displays "rugged Elegance", 5 November 2009| Stephen |
 Posted: Nov 6 2009, 12:17 AM
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 Altezza Club of Australia TRD Parts & Accessories  Group: Director Posts: 3,879 Member No.: 35 Joined: 10-August 04  |
NEW TOYOTA PRADO DISPLAYS "RUGGED ELEGANCE"
Tougher, yet more refined - that's the apparent contradiction embraced by Toyota's next-generation LandCruiser Prado, which goes on sale later this month. New Prado is more capable in all driving conditions while also being more comfortable, with the addition of premium features usually found in luxury cars. Toyota has coined the phrase "rugged elegance" to describe how the new Prado will appeal to customers who want an extremely competent off-roader or a luxurious family vehicle - or both. For the first time in Australia, Prado will come as a sporty three-door, as well as a five-door family wagon. State-of-the-art driver-assist technologies will extend Prado's off-road capabilities while occupants will be cosseted through advanced convenience, comfort and safety features. Fuel economy has been significantly improved in most models. Prado's 4.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine now has dual VVT-i, which has helped boost its maximum power at least 10 per cent to more than 200kW. The 3.0-litre direct-injection turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine gains new injectors and improved cooling efficiency from a front-mounted intercooler. It has an extremely flat torque curve, holding the maximum of more than 400Nm over a 1200rpm range. Both engines can be matched to six-speed manual or five-speed sequential-shift automatic transmissions. All new Prado models will have seven airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), All-terrain Traction Control (A-TRC) and anti-skid brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA). Comfort and convenience features across the range include air-conditioning, cruise control, alloy wheels and keyless Smart Entry and Smart Start. For the 'Net generation, there is Bluetooth™* hands-free mobile telephone capability, USB auxiliary input and iPod®^ control. Most Prado variants have a rear-view camera and climate-control air-conditioning, which extends to three zones when fitted to seven-seat five-door models. The third-row seat, which is power-operated on upper models, folds into the floor to leave a flat surface for luggage. At the top of the range, customers have the option of a Pre-Crash safety System (PCS) and radar cruise control. These systems use a millimetre-wavelength radar sensor at the front of the vehicle to track the relative speed, distance and angle to objects ahead of new Prado. When PCS detects a collision is imminent, it triggers systems that prepare the car to help reduce injuries and damage. In an extreme situation, it can apply the brakes even if the driver has not touched the brake pedal. The radar cruise-control system helps the driver maintain an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front - particularly useful on freeways and highways. It can automatically slow the vehicle to maintain the desired distance from another vehicle and automatically accelerate back to the set cruise-control speed when the road ahead is clear. Prado's off-road capability starts with the basics - a new high-strength ladder-frame chassis and a lockable Torsen centre differential. A rear differential lock is fitted to the top-of-the-range five-door and three-door variants. Upper models gain a new electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that adjusts the front and rear anti-roll bars for optimised roll rigidity. Electronic KDSS provides excellent vehicle stability during on-road driving and allows greater wheel articulation to help maintain traction in challenging off-road situations. Range-topping models include CRAWL control - in effect, a low-speed cruise-control system that is particularly useful for negotiating the toughest conditions such as deep sand or thick mud. They are also equipped with a four-camera Multi-Terrain Monitor for checking blind spots and for revealing terrain hazards and apexes normally hidden from the driver's view. Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) is newly available. Incorporating Multi-Terrain ABS, the system offers a wide range of slip-control, providing maximum traction for situations involving mud and sand, loose rocks, moguls and rocks. Downhill Assist Control (DAC) maintains vehicle speed to ensure vehicle stability when descending slopes, while Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) minimises vehicle roll-back when the vehicle starts to ascend a steep incline or slippery surface. Toyota's Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system with Roll Posture Control lets the driver tune the ride characteristics with a choice of three damper settings. An electronically controlled rear air suspension system provides an auto-levelling function and switchable height control. A new Steering Angle Display in the instrument panel indicates the angle of the front wheels and their predicted path, further helping the driver plot a safe route.  --------------------  |
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