Toyota Zimbabwe has launched the all-new Land Cruiser Prado 250 series, marking a major step forward in the evolution of this iconic model.
The new Prado continues the legacy of the Toyota Land Cruiser family, beloved by car enthusiasts for over 70 years. This latest version features enhancements designed to improve both off-road and everyday performance, reinforcing Toyota’s commitment to providing safe travel even in the most challenging conditions.
The new generation Land Cruiser Prado is equipped with a powerful 1GD 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine that delivers 150 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque. This aligns with Toyota’s promise to create vehicles that are practical, comfortable, and suited to daily use.
The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering an optimal blend of performance and fuel efficiency.
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A key innovation in the new Land Cruiser Prado is its Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. The vehicle also comes with a three-year or 100,000 km manufacturer’s warranty, whichever comes first. Pricing starts at US$87,200 for the base model and goes up to US$116,000 for the top-tier variant.
“This is the perfect vehicle for Zimbabwe and Africa, suitable for both on-road and off-road driving,” said Toyota General Manager Alexis Triniac at the launch event. “It includes safety features like downhill assist, uphill assist, crawl control, and multi-terrain selection, allowing drivers to adjust settings for sand, mud, rocky areas, and more.”
The new model aligns with Toyota’s global strategy to reduce carbon emissions, featuring a smaller 2.8-litre engine compared to the previous 3-litre generation. The effort is further supported by the new eight-speed gearbox, offering three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport.
Last year, Toyota Zimbabwe achieved a historic sales record, selling over 2,000 units and capturing 28 percent of the local market share, with demand still growing. “The new Land Cruiser Prado is larger than its predecessor and features improved safety through enhanced visibility around the vehicle,” noted Toyota National Sales Manager Gift Dzingiso, adding that there are currently 118 units on order.
The new Prado retains its classic, rugged body and chassis design, built on the Global Architecture (GA-F) platform shared with the Toyota Land Cruiser 300. This platform provides significantly improved all-terrain capabilities, with the new chassis being 50 percent stiffer and combined body and chassis rigidity increased by 30 percent, enhancing responsiveness, handling, and comfort.
Since its launch in 1951, the Land Cruiser has played a key role in Toyota’s international growth, becoming a symbol of reliability, durability, and quality. It was the first vehicle to reach the sixth station on Mount Fuji’s slopes in Japan, contributing to its legendary status. The Land Cruiser remains one of Toyota’s top-selling models globally, with over 11.3 million units sold in more than 170 countries.
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