The new Toyota Prado is inching ever closer to Australian showrooms after government approval documents were published this week – including gross vehicle mass data.
The 2024 Toyota Prado has been approved for sale in Australia – with 2.8-litre turbo-diesel power – ahead of the first showroom arrivals close to the middle of the year.
As previously announced, the first new Prado in 15 years will launch locally with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine aided by 48-volt ‘mild-hybrid’ technology.
Certification documents filed with the Australian Government list three variants, referred to as GDJ251R-GNZAYQ, GDJ251R-GNZLYQ and GDJ251R-GNZRYQ.
However these are split up for homologation purposes only, and Australian buyers will be able to choose from five model grades in Toyota showrooms: GX, GXL, VX, Kakadu and Altitude.
While there are only a few combinations of seating capacity and wheel sizes among these variants, Toyota has filed to certify 20 total variations of the new 4WD – with five or seven seats, with and without a sunroof, and with or without an anti-roll bar disconnect – so it can expand the range at a later date if it decides.
Each variant is listed with a tare mass – which excludes most of a tank of fuel – and gross vehicle mass (GVM), which is the maximum loaded weight of the vehicle with passengers, cargo and accessories.
Based on what Toyota Australia has confirmed about the new 2024 Prado range – and what is listed in the documents – it appears the launch line-up will quote the following:
- Prado GX: tare weight 2435kg, GVM 3100kg (five seats, no sunroof, 18-inch wheels)
- Prado GXL: tare weight 2475kg, GVM 3150kg (seven seats, no sunroof, 18-inch wheels)
- Prado VX: tare weight 2510kg, GVM 3180kg (seven seats, no sunroof, 20-inch wheels)
- Prado Altitude: tare weight 2460kg, GVM 3100kg (five seats, sunroof, 18-inch wheels, anti-roll bar disconnect)
- Prado Kakadu: tare weight 2535kg, GVM 3200kg (seven seats, panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels)
These figures – which suggest payloads of 640-675kg – are yet to be confirmed formally by Toyota Australia, and have been inferred from the information in the government documents.
For context, the outgoing Prado weighs between 2215kg and 2325kg tare – according to government documents – with a gross vehicle mass of 2990kg across the range.
All models will be powered by a 2.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine with 150kW and 500Nm, matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, full-time four-wheel drive, and a 48-volt ‘mild-hybrid’ system.
The technology will not be marketed as a hybrid in Australia as it only powers auxiliary systems such as lights and air conditioning to take the load off the engine to trim fuel use – and the electric motor cannot directly drive the wheels, as with other Toyota hybrid passenger cars and SUVs.
A 3500kg braked towing capacity has been confirmed across the range, as have rectangular headlights – rather than the circular lighting design offered on some models in the US and Europe.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, however increases are expected over the $62,830 to $87,468 plus on-road costs of the current model to coincide with the larger body, new technology, and electrified boost to the engine.
For everything else we know so far about the new Toyota Prado, click the links below.
The images in this story have been published in the US and Europe in recent weeks, as part of media preview drives for overseas publications.
MORE: 2024 Toyota Prado model range revealed for Australia, price rise likely
MORE: 2024 Toyota Prado wait times won’t blow out to two years like RAV4 Hybrid, company says
MORE: 2024 Toyota Prado off-road specs: Deep dive, comparison with 300 Series
The post 2024 Toyota Prado approved for sale in Australia, key specs revealed appeared first on Drive.
