HomeCar NewsToyota Land Cruiser Prado, LC200 to be discontinued

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, LC200 to be discontinued

Land Cruiser Prado
Land Cruiser Prado

Even though current headlines mostly revolve around affordable vehicles, the premium side of the market is also seeing multiple launches (or updated versions) of products complying to the stringent emission norms. In fact, the current-generation W222 Mercedes-Benz S Class which was launched back in 2018, is the first car in India to become BS6-compliant.

As per our sources, Toyota India will not be introducing BS6 versions of the Land Cruiser (LC200) and Land Cruiser Prado, at least for the time being. In other words, the popular luxury SUVs will not be available in the country from April 1, 2020. Both SUVs will be discontinued.

The Land Cruiser ‘LC200’ is often considered as one of the best luxury off-roaders in the world and is a serious rival to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Land Rover Range Rover, Nissan Patrol and even some of the other premium Toyota SUVs. Another interesting fact is that the Land Cruiser series is the longest-running product line in the Japanese automaker’s portfolio, with over 10 million units sold worldwide as of 2019. The roots of the iconic name can be traced back to the Toyota ‘Jeep’ BJ off-roader from the ‘50s.

Land Cruiser LC 200
Land Cruiser LC 200

The Indian-spec LC200 comes powered by a 4.5-litre twin-turbo V8 diesel engine that generates 268bhp and a strong 650Nm of torque. The 6-speed automatic transmission is coupled to an all-wheel-drive system.

The Land Cruiser, despite having an everlasting charm and presence, is noticeably outdated in terms of equipment and easily fits the tag of being ‘overpriced’. Certain reports state that Toyota is planning to end its production post-2022 since sales are hitting an all-time low in important markets such as Europe and North America. Some other sources claim that it will return in an LC300 moniker with a petrol-hybrid powertrain. Toyota has neither confirmed nor declined such a possibility.

Coming to the Land Cruiser Prado or simply, the Toyota Prado, the mid-size SUV (in global standards) is one of the smaller models in the Land Cruiser range. In casual terms, the Prado line is the younger sibling to the LC model and mainly rivals the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery and the popular Germans within a similar price bracket.

In India, the Toyota Prado’s 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine makes around 170bhp and 410Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission that powers all four wheels.

Prices for the Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser Prado currently start at Rs 1.47 crore and Rs 96.3 lakh ex-showroom, respectively. If you wish to own either of them, act fast!

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