Toyota confirms three-door Prado for Oz

[omicron]

From next month, for the first time since the nameplate's introduction more than a decade ago, Toyota will offer a three-door variant in the Prado line-up.

Launching locally as part of the new-generation LandCruiser Prado 150 range, the three-door will go head-to-head with Mitsubishi's short-wheelbase Pajero. As is the case with the new five-door models, the new short wheelbase Prado sports newly designed front and rear ends. Its shorter length also sees the three-door get unique roof and rear-quarter panels.

The shorter wheelbase Prado has a higher breakover angle which should allow it to negotiate tighter terrain than its larger sibling. Toyota says the lower weight "is expected to translate into even better real-world acceleration" not to mention minor improvements in emissions and fuel economy.

The stocky little Prado will also be a boaties' dream, able to tow a braked trailer weighing up to three tonnes -- 500kg more than the five-door.

While the Japanese carmaker is keeping engine updates under wraps, we do know that the 4.0-litre V6 has been modified to pump out around 10 per cent more power, thanks largely to the inclusion of dual variable valve timing on inlet and exhaust camshafts. Toyota has also revealed that the turbodiesel version boasts improved fuel economy -- under 9.0L/100km on average, it claims.

David Buttner, Toyota Australia's senior executive director of sales and marketing, said the new model will broaden Prado's appeal: "Even more than new five-door Prado, the three-door will definitely attract buyers who previously have not considered a sports utility vehicle".

"Prado three-door will be the ideal vehicle for couples who want a vehicle for its sporty styling, as well as Prado's legendary towing and offroad abilities," added Buttner.

Toyota hopes to entice younger buyers "seeking recreational offroad fun" with the new three-door.

Though the company is still to announce final local spec levels, Smart Entry and Start system and alloy wheels will be standard on the new model -- at least in its higher model grades. The vehicle will also feature a full suite of safety equipment including seven airbags, antilock brakes plus electronic traction and stability control.

"Specification levels will be high across three and five-door ranges, with several flow-down technologies from Lexus and from LandCruiser 200 Series," revealed Buttner.

"New electronic features will take Prado's offroad ability to new levels for Toyota, catering even for those new to offroad motoring," said the Toyota boss.

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2009/medium-4x4/toyota/landcruiser-prado/toyota-confirms-threedoor-prado-16943

[93JC]

[giant_mtb]

 

[93JC]

I mean, I'm sure it's quite capable.

It just fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.

[cawimmer430]

  @ the design. Utterly froggylike...

[omicron]

It really is dreadful.

[S204STi]

Ugly.

But the body style is cool.  When I was in NZ the guy who I was staying with drove a 3-door Pajero.  Very cool truck.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I didn't know they could stack shit that high, but it is Toyota...

[Tave]

What an offensive smirk! Why must they hamstring such a good idea?

[NomisR]

And you guys called that Acura car ugly.. it's actually stylish compared to this thing

[MX793]

Whatever happened to 3-door SUVs?  You used to be able to get the Explorer and the now dead Blazer as a 3-door.  The old Jeep Cherokee as well.  And the Bronco (IIRC, that only came as a 3 door).

[93JC]

4/5-door Explorers, Blazers, Cherokees, etc. were always much more popular than their 2/3-door counterparts. The only SUV that has been consistently popular despite having only two doors is the Wrangler. And even it is now available in a popular 4-door bodystyle.

[SVT_Power]

is this a 2 door version of the RAV4?

[Madman]

is this a 2 door version of the RAV4?

More like a 2 door Lexus GX470, but with a smaller engine.

Whatever happened to 3-door SUVs?  You used to be able to get the Explorer and the now dead Blazer as a 3-door.  The old Jeep Cherokee as well.  And the Bronco (IIRC, that only came as a 3 door).

Back when I was in the car business (and the Explorer was still hot) we'd get a lot of people trying to trade in 2 door Explorers.  Nobody wanted them because the 4 door was the one to have.  Ford shifted a lot of poverty-spec 2 door Explorers onto the market at dirt cheap prices but you could never trade out of it.

I had one customer who wanted to trade his four cylinder, manual transmission, 2WD, 2 door Explorer and got very angry when we offered him a pittance for it.  The market was full of these slugs and NOBODY wanted the damn things!


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[omicron]

The 3-door Pajero is, as R-inge points out, a sharp little thing:

[omicron]

The only other 3-door 4WDs on the market are Suzuki's Grand Vitara and Jimny Sierra:



Jimny Sierra:

[Submariner]

From next month, for the first time since the nameplate's introduction more than a decade ago, Toyota will offer a three-door variant in the Prado line-up.

Launching locally as part of the new-generation LandCruiser Prado 150 range, the three-door will go head-to-head with Mitsubishi's short-wheelbase Pajero. As is the case with the new five-door models, the new short wheelbase Prado sports newly designed front and rear ends. Its shorter length also sees the three-door get unique roof and rear-quarter panels.

The shorter wheelbase Prado has a higher breakover angle which should allow it to negotiate tighter terrain than its larger sibling. Toyota says the lower weight "is expected to translate into even better real-world acceleration" not to mention minor improvements in emissions and fuel economy.

The stocky little Prado will also be a boaties' dream, able to tow a braked trailer weighing up to three tonnes -- 500kg more than the five-door.

While the Japanese carmaker is keeping engine updates under wraps, we do know that the 4.0-litre V6 has been modified to pump out around 10 per cent more power, thanks largely to the inclusion of dual variable valve timing on inlet and exhaust camshafts. Toyota has also revealed that the turbodiesel version boasts improved fuel economy -- under 9.0L/100km on average, it claims.

David Buttner, Toyota Australia's senior executive director of sales and marketing, said the new model will broaden Prado's appeal: "Even more than new five-door Prado, the three-door will definitely attract buyers who previously have not considered a sports utility vehicle".

"Prado three-door will be the ideal vehicle for couples who want a vehicle for its sporty styling, as well as Prado's legendary towing and offroad abilities," added Buttner.

Toyota hopes to entice younger buyers "seeking recreational offroad fun" with the new three-door.

Though the company is still to announce final local spec levels, Smart Entry and Start system and alloy wheels will be standard on the new model -- at least in its higher model grades. The vehicle will also feature a full suite of safety equipment including seven airbags, antilock brakes plus electronic traction and stability control.

"Specification levels will be high across three and five-door ranges, with several flow-down technologies from Lexus and from LandCruiser 200 Series," revealed Buttner.

"New electronic features will take Prado's offroad ability to new levels for Toyota, catering even for those new to offroad motoring," said the Toyota boss.

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2009/medium-4x4/toyota/landcruiser-prado/toyota-confirms-threedoor-prado-16943

The GX is a good looking opinion IMO.  This, with Toyota's recently implemented styling overkill, and in it's squished 3-door form, is a catastrophic failure. 

[Cookie Monster]

I want that Pajero!

[cawimmer430]

I had one customer who wanted to trade his four cylinder, manual transmission, 2WD, 2 door Explorer and got very angry when we offered him a pittance for it.  The market was full of these slugs and NOBODY wanted the damn things!

How was the problem solved?

Did he take the deal or did he have it stolen and crashed in order to collect insurance money? 

[S204STi]

I want that Pajero!

+1

[Madman]

How was the problem solved?

Did he take the deal or did he have it stolen and crashed in order to collect insurance money? 

He left and took his poverty-spec Explorer with him.  I imagine he probably went to a few other dealers and was told the same thing.  The problem with doing an insurance scam on a rig like this is the insurance company will only pay what the car is worth.  Which, in the case of a bare-bones 2-door Explorer, was almost nothing!

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[the Teuton]

Am I allowed to say that I really like that Prado?

[Raza]

That is really hideous.