With over 60 years of off-road heritage, the forthcoming 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is being billed as one of the most technically advanced and easy to use 4×4 vehicles ever.

South Africans can expect to see the new Prado in November this year, after its first local appearance at the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) in October.

Enhanced off road performance

Like European buyers, we can expect two engine options for the 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado – a 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine or a 3.0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel. All 3-door versions are equipped with the 3.0-litre turbodiesel.

The 4.0-litre V6 engine delivers 207kW of power at 5600 rpm and 385Nm of torque at 4400 rpm, and is connected to a 5-speed automatic transmission that enables the model to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 10.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 180 km/h. It generates CO2 emissions of 256 g/km, and returns a claimed 10.8-litres/100km in the combined cycle.

The 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine produces 140kW at 3400 rpm and 420Nm of torque from 1600 to 3000 rpm, which allows the model to sprint from 0-100km/h in 10.2 seconds (10.6 seconds with manual transmission) and hit a top speed of 175 km/h. CO2 emissions are 209 g/km, and fuel consumption is claimed at 7.9-litres/100km in the combined cycle.

Bolder designs and refined interior quality

The upgraded model has a new front fascia with an enlarged grille and restyled headlights. These changes according to Toyota reinforce toughness, reliability and outstanding off-road performance. Rear changes include revised taillights and new license plate garnish. The model also features restyled wheels and now has new exterior colours including Attitude Black Mica, Bronze Mica Metallic, Dark Green Mica and Dark Blue Mica.

The interior comes with a revised instrument cluster, updated trim and improved second and third row seats. There is also a new centre stack with an updated audio control panel and a new dial that controls the Multi-terrain Select system and Crawl Control speed adjustment. To further enhance the off-road driving assistance, the facelifted Prado features a new 4.2-inch multi-information screen as well as a new angle gauge, traction control operation at each wheel and differential lock operation screens.

Technically advanced safety features

When it comes to safety, the new Land Cruiser is equipped with comprehensive technically advanced ranges of active and passive, on and off-road safety features including a Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system, ABS complete with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system.

Both safety and driver convenience are further enhanced by the availability of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Back and Clearance sonar, a Tyre Pressure Warning system, Trailer Sway Control, a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and a new Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system.

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Gallery