Expectations are high for the new Land Cruiser Prado! ──Think about Toyota’s new off-roader | GQ Japan
Why Prado?
Did you know that there are many attractive models of Toyota cars that cannot be purchased in Japan? In particular, trucks such as “Tacoma,” “Tundra,” and “Sequoia” are very appealing.
In June 2023, Toyota in Europe (and North America) will release another teaser advertisement for a secret new model that involuntarily shouted, “What is this? I’m very interested.” This looks amazing.
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A teaser advertisement (pictured) of the new model that was suddenly released.
A copy of “Ready for the next adventure?” and the Land Cruiser emblem.
In Japan, the new Land Cruiser (the first model change in 14 years), which fans call the “300 series”, will be on sale from 2021, and it is fresh in my memory that the length of the delivery time has become a big topic.
If Toyota Europe’s teaser advertisement is for the 300 series, there should be no need to make it so suggestive. Then, what kind of car should you “prepare” and wait for?
What is said there is that Toyota Motor Corporation is now preparing the next Land Cruiser Prado (Prado).
The current Land Cruiser Prado (front) and the current Land Cruiser 300 series (back).
In the North American media, along with the phrase “Toyota’s confirmation”, there are places that even post rather bold prediction images.
It is assumed that the next Prado will be released as a sister car to the Lexus GX, which was announced earlier by Lexus (the HP says that it will be rolled out in various regions from the end of 2023).
Behind the media speculation is the fact that the current Prado is sold as a Land Cruiser in Europe (in some markets). The fourth-generation J150 has been on the market since 2009.
Around the instrument panel of the current Land Cruiser Prado. Although it makes you feel old just because it appeared in 2009, it is easy to use.
Off-road driving switch at the bottom of the instrument panel.
The history of Prado in Japan begins with the 1984 Land Cruiser Wagon.
It was a full-fledged off-roader with a separate frame and front and rear rigid suspension, but it had the image of competing with the Mitsubishi “Pajero” (1982).
The current model was launched in Japan in 2009. A 4-door body with a total length of 4760mm is placed on a fairly long wheelbase of 2790mm, and it has pushed comfort (at a certain level) to the front, not to mention the ability to run on rough roads.
I want to ride a 2-door model in Japan too!
Nonetheless, the current model is fairly faithful to the origin, and has a strong image of valuing its origin as an off-roader without unnecessarily pursuing luxury.
Therefore, it is very popular (with a relatively affordable base price of 3,676,000 yen), and has succeeded in establishing its own market.
At one point, someone said, “People who really have money drive cars like Prados.”
The predecessor Lexus GX based on the current Land Cruiser Prado.
In Europe, it seems that a two-door short wheelbase model is also on sale, but it may also be popular in Japan.
After all, Rankle’s 40 series (1960-1984) is still very popular. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be nice to have a short wheelbase version for the next generation Akatsuki?
Western media have posted silhouette images of where they got them from.
He writes about various interesting things, such as the short wheelbase (hence, it seems to run well on rough roads), and the shape of the bumper, which is different from the Lexus GX (probably a sister car), and that it will be a separate type.
This rumored car was originally rumored to be released at the end of 2023 (similar to the GX), but has been postponed to 2024 at this time. Fans are watching the trend with hot eyes.
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Written by Fumio Ogawa Edited by Kuniyasu Inagaki (GQ)
