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Toyota launches redesigned Land Cruiser Prado

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Toyota Motor Corp on Monday launched the redesigned Land Cruiser Prado, a mid-size, authentic four-wheel drive vehicle that continues the tradition of the Land Cruiser brand.

The fourth generation maintains the outstanding drivability, reliability and basic functionality of the earlier generations—even under the harshest driving conditions—while improving on the on-road and off-road performance that is the Prado's claim to fame. Enhanced utility results in a vehicle that offers comfort and peace of mind—anytime and anywhere.

Specific improvements include a roomier cabin through increased space between the front and second-row seats, while enhancements to the time-tested full frame structure and higher body rigidity make the ride even more comfortable. In addition, the adoption of a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) allows for driving stability at city and highway speeds, and a "crawl control" feature enhances rough-road compatibility.

Other off-road driver-support features include a Multi-terrain Select switch to control drive power and braking in line with the off-road environment and the world's first Multi-terrain Monitor, which displays the road conditions around the vehicle taken by four onboard cameras.

Suggested retail prices range from 3.15 million yen to 4.75 million yen.

© Japan Today

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Is this news or an advertisement? While I son't doubt it's ability, it's kind of interesting how this is marketed with it's strong off-road ability when it's sold primarily in a country with virtually NO off-road areas, vast majority paved, and with economic insentive to buy eco-friendly cars.

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societymike,

Where does this country with 'virtually NO off-road areas, vast majority paved' exsist? I assume you are referring to Japan or is it your little bubble of Japan that you are referring to? For one Japan has plenty of off-road trails, mountain passes, and 4x4 courses to drive on which do require a 4x4 type of vehicle. How would I know? I own a 4x4 and travel to these places frequently. Moreover, have you seen the snow that falls in this country? Perhaps if you lived in a such a place you might think..gee a kick-a** 4x4 would be ideal for my environment. Oh, and what about the overseas market and not just the Japanese market. Last I checked Toyota's cars reached to all four corners of the earth. Sorry if I burst your little bubble...

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This PR is obviously designed for the American market. Where else would it be described as mid-sized rather than large or oversized.

What does "authentic four-wheel" drive mean? It seems to imply that Toyota or other manufacturers also sell fake four-wheel drives.

There are plenty of off-road or non-paved areas in Japan. The people who use them tend to use four-wheel drive K cars as big cars are just too large for many of these areas.

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RockBalls -

I couldn't agree more.

It's funny. I hear the same talk from foreigners out here from time to time - they seem to think that every 4x4 is a street queen. What they don't realize is just how many of the drivers they're scoffing at are spending their weekends trials driving, fly-fishing, snowboarding, skiing, surfing, climbing, and on and on. Just because it's clean, doesn't mean it doesn't get used. And just because you've never been there, doesn't mean no one else has either.

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Like it or not, the VAST MAJORITY of Japan IS paved, your tiny little country town with apparent dirt roads requiring 4WD is a small exception. Also, the VAST MAJORITY of these types of 4x4 SUV's ARE in deed street queens that will never see the dirt. You are kidding yourself if you think otherwise. Look at the sales and where they are sold. Also, this particular model is not sold in the US, that was my point.

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Like it or not, the VAST MAJORITY of Japan IS paved, your tiny little >country town with apparent dirt roads requiring 4WD is a small >exception. Also, the VAST MAJORITY of these types of 4x4 SUV's ARE in >deed street queens that will never see the dirt. You are kidding >yourself if you think otherwise. Look at the sales and where they are >sold. Also, this particular model is not sold in the US, that was my >point.

Rubbish. People don't typically buy 4WD's here unless they are needed. Most of Japan is mountainous, about 20% is urban sprawl. I have a Prado and it is clean as new. But I haul a Supermoto bike to the track every weekend on it, in summer. Go off-road camping about 10 time a year. Haul a Canadian canoe on it and spend time on the beautiful lakes out near Fuji and up in Fukishima. In winter I drive to the snow fields with the family. In the fall I go photo touring off-road to get to places you never would. I know other people with 4WD’s and all are active with their vehicles.

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gaijin does not travel enough. The Prado has never been sold in the USA.

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The Prado is sold as the Lexus GX in the US, and has been since 2002.

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The Lexus GX very very different than the Prado, suspension, engine, drivetrain, options, price, etc.

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Who cares? The only 4x4 I trust is a pinkie (a long wheel base heavy chassis Land Rover).

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Like it or not, the VAST MAJORITY of Japan IS paved, your tiny little country town with apparent dirt roads requiring 4WD is a small exception. Also, the VAST MAJORITY of these types of 4x4 SUV's ARE in deed street queens that will never see the dirt. You are kidding yourself if you think otherwise. Look at the sales and where they are sold. Also, this particular model is not sold in the US, that was my point.

Unless you can provide data backing up your assertions, pull your head in and think about the vast majority of land in Japan as being mountainous. From CIA factbook" paved: 949,101 km (includes 7,383 km of expressways) unpaved: 247,898 km (2006)" so what do those people who use that 26% drive? You are forgetting that the entire sea of japan coastal area as well as Hokkaido and the top five prefectures in Honshu regularly get snow fall in winter.

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This PR is obviously designed for the American market. Where else would it be described as mid-sized rather than large or oversized.

Try Europe, Africa, Australaia. This is the mid sized version of the landcruiser, the bigger model being the VX and the monster model the troop carrier, by special order.

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People buy it for looks, not for real off roading. For real off road, they tend to modify the car quite a lot with huge tires and a lot higher ground clearance. With this, it would probably nothing really serious. Anyway, too big and use too much gas for me.

Anyway, this article is a lot like a sale promotion.

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97% of these huge hunks of metal never see off road. They are purchased for vanity.

They are the ultimate tributes to stupidity. Now with gas so expensive these cars are so over and done with. Get a hybrid.

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They are the ultimate tributes to stupidity. Now with gas so expensive these cars are so over and done with. Get a hybrid.

You mean like Toyota's F1 car - it's so slow this 4X4 might have a better chance on a Sunday .

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