By Derry Dharmawan
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) launched the Land Cruiser Prado which is the result of redesign or facelift. The part which redesigned is the headlights with new design and the cabin is more spacious because the increased space between the front seat and second row. Additionally, the structure of body and frame is strengthened as well.
The interesting thing is the additional of sophisticated devices that make the driver of Prado more comfortable and exciting when through any road conditions from smooth road to off-road.
Multi-terrain Monitor
The special technology feature from Land Cruiser Prado is the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) which makes the damping that generated by the car fits with road surface conditions. In the latest version, there is also additional a Multi-terrain Monitor.
Multi-terrain Monitor display images from cameras that placed at all four sides of the vehicle. With this way, the driver can see the road surface conditions at six surrounding areas, front, rear, front side, and rear right and left.
By using KDSS, the stability of Prado is more stable when driving on the pavement or off-road. For the latter, Prado is also equipped with crawl control. As a result, the ability of Prado in various off-road terrains becomes more stable.
Interior
The windshield uses material that can muffle the noise. In this way, the sound of the wind from the front can be prevented into the cabin. Remarkably, the whole of the body equipped with sound-dampening materials so that the cabin is truly quiet.
The effort of Toyota provides the great silencer related with a sophisticated audio system that used in the Land Cruiser Prado. Toyota calls it “Super-live Sound System”, designed by the development themes of Dotou, that is 465-watt amplifier and 14 speakers that optionally placed throughout the cabin.
The system is capable of producing acoustic space with impressive bass tones, a clear high voice and much better if compared with surround sound system 5.1. Like other modern car audio, the interior of the Land Cruiser Prado is also equipped with a plug for an iPod or MP3 player.
There is also the system of “smart entry” and “start” that used to open and lock the front and the back door by only holding the handle of the door. Another feature is the system of start and stop engine via a button.
Engine
Two engines that offered by the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado are a 2.7 liter (2TR-FE) and 4.0 liters (1GR-FEV6). The 1GR-FE uses double Variable Valve Timing-Intelligent (VVT-i) technology.
The system can automatically control the valves. Moreover, Toyota uses a roller valve type. Thus, Toyota claims that the power of engine increased up to 20 kW (27PS) and can save fuel 0.4 km / liter.
1GR-FE engine is installed with five Super ECT sequential shiftmatic transmission. This transmission allows the driver seemed to drive with manual transmission. In addition, this new engine can use regular gasoline (92).
AWD or full-time-wheel drive system and axle equipped with Torsen LSD in all types. The system directly determines the distribution of power to the front and the rear wheels adjusted with the speed, road surface conditions, acceleration, turning and so forth.
The best Version, TZ-G is equipped with AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System), or NAV / AI-AVS). This version uses air suspension system that controlled electronically, but only works on the rear suspension.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado also installed the “multi-terrain select” button on the steering wheel. The objective is to facilitate the driver to select mode, that is Mud & Sand, Loose Rock, Mogul and Rock and to control the traction for optimizing the power and the brakes to get a steady performance in the off-road.
Other Features
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado installed the equipment that called Multi-terrain ABS. By using this tool, the brake performance will be stable on various road conditions, such as road dust, gravel, and sand.
Another system is the Downhill Assist Control (DAC) which functioning to maintain the speed of vehicles and ensure the stability. In addition, there is also Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), this system works by controlling the brake fluid when braking or accelerating. The aim is to prevent the vehicle backward, especially when parked on the ramp and slippery surface.
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