Toyota Prado to get new 2.8-litre diesel engine, six-speed automatic from June production

A source has revealed to CarAdvice that from June production the LandCruiser Prado will trade its current 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine for a new 2.8-litre turbo diesel and upgrade from a five-speed automatic transmission to a new six-speed auto gearbox.

The Prado’s engine will be based on (and potentially identical to) the new 2.8-litre unit that will headline the new-generation Toyota HiLux ute range.

Leaked information has revealed the HiLux’s version of the engine will produce 132kW of power, 420Nm of torque when paired with the six-speed manual transmission and 450Nm with the six-speed auto.

The Prado’s current 3.0-litre diesel produces 127kW and 410Nm, meaning the updated model would get a 5kW/10Nm boost in manual form and a bigger 5kW/40Nm increase with the new auto if the HiLux's engine was dropped directly into its engine bay without any changes.

The smaller engine will also be more fuel efficient than the older, larger one, which currently consumes 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle with the five-speed auto and 8.8L/100km with the manual.

Our source revealed there will also be specification upgrades for the Toyota Prado range, including the addition of satellite navigation for the GXL variant.

Toyota Australia declined to comment when asked about the Prado upgrades.

The Prado update will arrive a few months before the all-new HiLux, which is due to reach our shores in the final quarter of this year after its international unveiling in Thailand on May 21.

Note: Current Toyota Prado Altitude pictured.