Oz testing key to LandCruiser Prado success

THE Japanese have a word for it, kowashikiri, or literally, to test it until it breaks.

It’s a philosophy that is applied to the test program of every LandCruiser model the company makes, and one from which the new Prado was in no way spared.

Identifying the needs of Prado customers the world over, Toyota again chose Australia to develop its new generation off-roader, putting prototypes through their paces in conditions many could consider extreme, but what we know simply as our backyard.

Attending the press conference via video chat from Japan, Toyota Motor Company chief engineer Keita Moritsu said that Australia played a pivotal role in the development of LandCruiser models, including the all-new Prado.

“The LandCruiser has a long and storied history in Australia going back more than 70 years, and the concept for the development of the new Prado was to look back at that history and return to our roots,” he said.

“We wanted to create a vehicle that delivered on the essence that has helped to build the LandCruiser legend. You can see that in the design inspired by LandCruisers of the past, but also in its practical functionality, and most importantly, in its off-road capability.

“We tested the new Prado in some very extreme conditions. Our development target was very simple, but very tough: We wanted to achieve the same level of ability as the 300 Series.”

In distilling all that the larger 300 Series LandCruiser can offer into a Prado-sized package, Toyota Australia research, evaluation and training manager Russel Tomlinson said, “The development and evaluation of the Prado that took place here was not just for Australia, but for the world.”

“Our target with Prado was very much centred on building upon the rugged off-road capabilities and performance that has been synonymous with the LandCruiser nameplate for more than 70 years – and what better place to push its limits than in Australia.

“With more than 80 per cent of the world’s environment types, Australia is recognised as an ideal location for real-world evaluation; and within Toyota globally, the TMCA (Toyota Motor Corporation Australia) Vehicle Evaluation Group is the designated Centre of Excellence for four-wheel drive vehicle development.”

Mr Tomlinson said Australian Toyota staff played a key role in bringing the fifth-generation Prado to life.

“Along with our location, we have a very strong team of designers and engineers that bring their expertise to these projects. So, I am very proud to say that we at Toyota Australia had a big hand in developing, testing, and evaluating the all-new Toyota LandCruiser Prado,” he continued.

“Australia was the only location outside of Japan (used) for evaluation and testing of the new product. We first started evaluation and testing the prototypes in early 2022, but the story goes back way before that – because it is based on the LandCruiser 300 Series.

“We did a great deal of work on that (vehicle) that was carried into the LandCruiser Prado. We started with an extensive ‘genchi’ tour, going to the source and understanding our customer.

“We were able to go around the country and meet LandCruiser owners, many who owned both a LandCrusier 300 Series and currently or previously a Prado. This customer research fed directly into the target setting for the new LandCruiser Prado.”

Mr Tomlinson said the local assessment aided the evaluation team to focus on what LandCruiser Prado customers wanted, irrespective of where they lived.

“It showed some key usage themes that we used (in developing the vehicle),” he added.

“Regional customers, such as farmers who used the vehicle to drive daily on unsealed roads and regional highways; city customers who used the vehicle for comfortable family transport; customers who use it for towing caravans and trailers around the country; and those who use it for touring in our harsh but beautiful off-road environments – it was important we made sure this vehicle offered improved performance, yet maintained quality, durability and reliability for all of these customers use conditions.

“From 2022, we tested several prototype vehicle stages. They ranged from platform prototypes that were hidden in plain sight underneath a current body (then 150 Series) upper body, to ultra-high security prototypes with an all-new upper body that could only be tested in private locations.

“All these vehicles were tested in multiple locations around Australia, including on sand tracks, unsealed desert roads, muddy water crossings, forestry trails, rocky and grassy paddocks, mountain climbs, and much more.

“This testing aimed to confirm that towing performance, off-road performance, and even our genuine accessories were environmentally resistant and met every target need.”

In summarising the two-year evaluation program Toyota Australia public affairs manager Jeremie Smith said simply “that if the Prado can survive in Australia, it can survive anywhere”, a philosophy he believes explains the popularity of the model both here and overseas.

“LandCruiser has become the brand of choice for tough conditions where quality, durability and reliability are paramount,” he added.

“Its enduring reputation has made it one of Toyota’s best sellers, with global sales exceeding 11.6 million vehicles, more than 1.3 million of those in Australia – which is better than one in 10 of the global total.”

With indications that the Prado is set to become Toyota Australia’s biggest seller, we reckon that “enduring reputation” might be safe for another generation – rallying as always against a landscape that is out to test it ‘til it breaks.