June 2001 Volume 82 Number 6 "serving the protectors"
MOTORING Impeccable performer
By Jim Barnett

It is no wonder Toyota leads four-wheel-drive sales in Australia. The company not only produces a comprehensive range of excellent vehicles, but also understands the features consumers most want.

Toyota has, in the past year, introduced new Turbo-diesel models to bolster its LandCruiser 100-Series and LandCruiser Prado ranges.

• Full-time 4WD systems.
• Seating for eight.
• Long-range dual fuel tanks.
• A choice of petrol or diesel engines.
• Automatic transmissions on many diesel models.

These vehicles have a solid reputation for their on- and off-road performance. An impressed Overlander magazine awarded Toyota's Prado Turbo-diesel automatic "4WD of the Year (2000)". It also cited the 100-Series Turbo-diesel automatic as the most capable 4x4 for towing.

The Police Journal drew the same conclusions after it test drove the range-topping 100-Series GXV Turbo-diesel automatic. A long highway haul to Coffin Bay - towing a hefty camper trailer complete with aluminium dinghy and outboard motor - was no challenge for the big cruiser. Its highway performance was impeccable: the standard cruise control made light work of driving while the powerful engine provided endless reserves for safe overtaking.

In Coffin Bay National Park - with tyres deflated due to soft sand - the GXV completed the (17km) trip from Yangie Bay to Seven Mile Beach in its normal road-going 4x4 mode. On the return journey, the cruiser showed its true capabilities.

With the centre differential now locked, the big oil-burner towed a totally disabled Jackeroo for 30kms. Through half this distance, the vehicle traversed short, soft sand dunes, rough limestone hills and long sections of deep sand. Each obstacle was overcome in high range - and on first attempts. The vehicle is so powerful that, at times, the engine had to be restrained.

This was impressive in light of the GXV's weight of 2,744kgs and towage of another vehicle of around 1,800kgs. Fuel economy of between 15 and 16 litres/100kms was achieved on test, which was reasonable in the conditions.

Code-named 1HD-FTE, the new intercooled Turbo-diesel engine replaces the now discontinued 4.7-litre petrol V8. Of 4.2-litre capacity, it delivers a massive 151kW of power at 3,400rpm and 430Nm of torque from 1,400rpm through to 3,200rpm. It features a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, and direct injection. Toyota claims this engine has 30 per cent more power and 21 per cent more torque than its nearest competitor, the Nissan Patrol.

Turbo-diesel 100-Series prices range from $68,530 (GXL manual) to $72,760 (GXL automatic), and $87,520 (GXV auto). All Turbo-diesel models feature:

• Rack-and-pinion steering.
• Independent front suspension.
• Dual batteries.
• Dual airbags.
• ABS brakes.
• Power widows and mirrors.
• Remote locking.
• Power antenna.
• Four-speaker single-CD player.
• Alloy wheels.
• Climate control air-conditioning.
• Sunroof.
• Six-disc in-dash CD player.
• Rear diff-lock.
• A refrigerator inside the centre console bin.

Prado's 3.0-litre, four-cylinder intercooled Turbo-diesel was introduced in the first quarter of 2000. Later that year, Toyota mated it to a four-speed automatic transmission. Some top-end models have been fitted with state-of-the-art active safety devices such as 4WD traction control and vehicle stability control systems.

Although its 96kW of power is not class-leading, the 3.0-litre engine does offer the most torque (343Nm) in the Medium All-Terrain 4WD class. On the road, Prado diesel is a strong, quiet performer that offers ample power and stacks of torque. It's also very capable off-road but, perhaps, best of all is the diesel engine's fuel efficiency, with figures of between 10 and 12 litres/100kms easily attainable.

Prado diesel prices start at $43,810 (RV manual) and range through to $64,630 for the comprehensively equipped Grande automatic. For those who think the 100-Series is too big or too expensive, Prado is an excellent alternative.

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