2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado to debut later this year – report
More information on the new-generation Prado has come out of Japan, with first deliveries slated to begin within the next 12 months.
The 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado is set to make its debut in October or November 2023, ahead of its arrival into showrooms in Autumn of next year.
As reported by Drive last month, first deliveries of the Prado are expected to begin in April 2024, but the latest report from reputable Japanese publication Best Car claims Toyota will unveil the new model – thought to be called the ‘250 Series’ – in late 2023.
It’s believed the new-generation Prado was originally set to be unveiled in the third quarter of 2022 but was pushed back by more than 12 months – almost 15 years after the current model first debuted – but will see the introduction of a new ‘GR Sport’ variant when it’s eventually released.
Japanese media outlets continue to speculate on engine options for the upcoming Prado, however Best Car is reporting the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine in the current model is likely to carry over, while a hybrid 2.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder could be adopted from the recently-unveiled Toyota Tacoma pick-up.
In the Tacoma, the hybrid engine sends a total of 243kW and 630Nm through an eight-speed automatic transmission, helped by a 36kW electric motor fed by a 1.87kWh battery.
MORE: 2024 Lexus GX imagined: Toyota Prado luxury twin to offer hybrid, turbo-petrol V6 power
There have also been unconfirmed reports of a 2.7-litre engine being available in the new Prado, however this could be carried over from the current model, with the 2.7-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine offered on entry-level variants in selected markets such as Japan and the Middle East.
As reported in recent days, Drive has learned the forthcoming luxury Prado-based Lexus GX will not offer a diesel engine, with buyers instead to be given the option of a hybrid four-cylinder petrol engine or a twin-turbo V6 borrowed from the LandCruiser 30 Series.
Unconfirmed reports from company insiders also suggest the large SUV will drop the Prado name for the North American market – where the LandCruiser 300 Series is not sold – taking over as the LandCruiser in that region.
It’s not the first time Toyota has adopted this strategy. In the UK, the current-shape Prado is instead sold as the LandCruiser.
Surprisingly, Japan’s Best Car magazine – which has a record of reporting accurate information from inside Toyota – admits it has no information on the interior of the new Prado, however it’s likely to borrow some design cues from the LandCruiser 300 Series.
MORE: 2022 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu review
While yet to be confirmed, the new Prado 250 Series is said to be increasing slightly in size compared to the current model, growing in length by 75mm to 4900mm, while also increasing in width by 35mm to 1920mm, and growing in height by 10mm to 1900mm. The wheelbase is also expected to grow by 60mm to 2850mm.
The latest reports also suggest the Prado will drop its side-hinged barn door at the rear of the vehicle – a characteristic of the model since it launched in Australia in 1996 – instead adopting a more common lift-up tailgate.
Production of the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado 250 Series is expected to begin in October 2023 – roughly the same as the model’s global reveal – ahead of showroom arrivals in April 2024, assuming no further delays.
The post 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado to debut later this year – report appeared first on Drive.