Prado gets new engine and transmission

Toyota’s Prado has a new turbo-diesel engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The engine is the 2.8-litre four-cylinder engine used in the eighth-generation Hilux and new Fortuner, both due to arrive in local dealerships from October.

Designated 1GD-FTV, the engine increases the vehicle’s torque to 450Nm, up 9.75 per cent, despite being smaller than the engine it replaces.

The common-rail diesel in the Prado is unique, however, in that it has a counter-balance shaft, which has been added for smoothness. A chain drive is also used instead of a belt for greater reliability.

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It’s also driven through a new six-speed automatic transmission which is the first in a Toyota to use technology that monitors acceleration and driving conditions to determine the best use of high-speed gears. The previous diesel had a five-speed shifter.

Fuel consumption and emissions have improved by about six per cent, at just 8.0 litres/100km for the auto on the combined cycle. The six-speed manual transmission produces 7.9 litres/100km – an improvement of 10.2 per cent.

Meanwhile, the V6 petrol engine now peaks at 207kW, with emissions lowered by 1.8 per cent, achieving Euro 5 certification for the first time in Australia.

This 4.0-litre DOHC engine gains new injectors that improve the fuel flow and atomisation. Its exhaust system has also been modified to improve gas flow and cylinder scavenging, while the engine ECU has revised mapping.

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Prado's line-up remains the same: the diesel-only GX is available with five or seven seats while seven-seat GXL, VX and Kakadu offer the choice of engines. The two higher grades are auto only.

The updated Prado range starts at $52,990 for the five-seat GX manual diesel. Automatic transmission adds $2,000 and diesel comes with a premium of $1,000 over the equivalent petrol variant.

Prices have increased by between .05 per cent and 2.6 per cent.

Keep your eye on 4x4australia.com.au this week for Fraser Stronach’s road test of the
updated Prado range.

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