Toyota Prado gets Altitude
BY HAITHAM RAZAGUI | 21st Mar 2012
The Japanese brand claims that for a $5000 premium the Altitude, which will only be produced until the end of April, packs more than $10,000 worth of extra equipment over automatic transmission variants of the mid-spec, seven-seat, GXL on which it is based.
Included in the Altitude pack is a rear-seat entertainment package with ceiling-mounted 9-inch screen, surround sound from the upgraded 14-speaker audio system, six-disc DVD changer with remote control for rear occupants and three wireless headsets.
Other goodies include satellite navigation with seven-inch touch-screen, a sunroof, part-leather upholstery, rear privacy glass, front parking sensors, guidance graphics on the reversing camera screen and upgraded LED-illuminated Optitron instruments.
In addition to the Altitude nameplate, the special edition is identified by the availability of a Crystal Pearl paint finish usually reserved for flagship Kakadu and VX variants, with the three other available hues comprising Ebony, Silver Pearl and Graphite.
The Crystal Pearl and Ebony exterior colours can be specified with either black or ivory interior trim, while the other colours are only available with a black cabin.
Standard GXL equipment remains the same, including three-zone climate-control air-conditioning, multi-function steering wheel, keyless entry and start, cruise control and long-range fuel tanks with a 150 litre combined capacity.
Safety features include seven airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and hill descent control.
As with the rest of the five-door Prado range, the Altitude’s power comes from either a 4.0-litre petrol V6 ($68,490 plus on-road costs) or 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel ($69,490), but the special edition is offered with the five-speed automatic transmission only.
Late last year Toyota upgraded the Prado range, upping the price and specification of several variants, although the GXL variant remained largely unchanged.
After a 35.2 per cent drop in sales related to Toyta’s earthquake and tsunami woes last year, the Prado has made a 4.7 per cent recovery so far in 2012, with 2306 finding homes in Australia to the end of February.
| Toyota Prado Altitudepricing (plus on-road costs): | |
| Altitude 4.0 petrol (a) | $68,490 |
| Altitude 3.0 diesel (a) | $69,490 |
