2010 Toyota Landcruiser Prado: Off-Road Tech Detailed

LAST MONTH, Toyota unveiled the 2010 Landcruiser Prado, dropping the covers with simultaneous reveals in Japan and at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Toyota has kept details of the Prado's off-road equipment and technology under its hat in the weeks since, but today the world 'number one' has released new information.

Promising improved driving dynamics both off and on-road, the new Prado is marginally bigger, more aerodynamic and more powerful than the model it replaces.

Toyota has enhanced the Prado's 4.0 litre V6 with the addition of its VVT-i variable valve timing system on both inlet and exhaust cams, bumping power output up by more than 10 percent. Torque is up, while fuel economy and emissions performance are also improved.

In addition, the Prado's 3.0 litre turbodiesel powerplant has undergone some subtle refinements for 2010, boasting a combined fuel economy figure under 9.0 l/100km.

The body is now 80mm longer, 10mm wider and 15mm lower. The lower ride height, in conjunction with a host of aerodynamic undertrays, helps reduce the Prado's drag coefficient from 0.37 to 0.35.

Body styling is heavily revised. The 2010 Prado features a new grille, new bumpers, new light clusters and new sheetmetal all around.

LED taillights are now a standard feature of the Prado, as are wing mirror-mounted LED indicators.

Suspension tunes have been revised for 2010 with claimed improvements in handling, stability and ride comfort, utilising a new Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that automatically adjusts the front and rear anti-roll bars.

Designed for comfort on and off the road, KDSS provides enhanced stability during on-road driving while allowing longer suspension travel for tackling off-road trips.

The new Prado is fitted with Toyota’s CRAWL system, now a standard feature on the larger LandCruiser 200 Series.

Designed to assist drivers navigate tricky terrain, CRAWL is a ‘feet-off’ control system that operates in low-range and replaces Downhill Assist Control.

The system has been designed to minimise wheel spin and lock on rocky and sandy tracks, also making itself useful in escaping mud traps.

Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) is a brand new feature by Toyota, working as an off-road version of the condition settings available with many new high-end sportscars.

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.

Joining the MTS system, the Multi-Terrain Monitor displays images from all sides of the vehicle on the Prado's in-dash display.

Downhill Assist Control maintains speed and stability when descending slopes, and Hill-start Assist Control minimises roll-back when beginning an ascent up a steep incline.

Similar again to features available in newer sportscars, Toyota's Adaptive Variable Suspension lets the driver specify ride characteristics via three pre-tuned damper settings.

Seven airbags, stability control and traction control are to be offered as standard across the 2010 Prado range, however precise Australian specifications have yet to be revealed.

The 2010 Toyota Landcruiser Prado is slated to go on sale in November of this year, with pricing details to be revealed in the coming weeks.