Despite it being reported as early as last month that the long delayed all-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado will become a reality in 2024, sister brand Lexus has seemingly had other ideas. The evidence is in the first batch of teaser images depicting the all-new GX.
Influenced by Chevrolet and Range Rover
Marketed as a more upmarket version of the Prado since 2002 in the United States, the images show the GX sporting a headlight design similar to the Chevrolet Silverado and Colorado, with the same applying to just visible honeycomb pattern grille.
Visually seemingly also inspired by the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, the second image of the rear, only shows a full-width LED light strip and block letter Lexus badge instead of the corporate L logo recent models such as the new NX, RX and RZ have all taken leave off.
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New platform but don’t expect a diesel
The rest of the GX is, however, shrouded in mystery as Lexus didn’t disclose any technical details or images of the interior.
What is well known though is that the GX, like the Land Cruiser Prado, will move to the new body-on-frame TNGA-F platform that underpins the Land Cruiser 300, its twin, the Lexus LX, the new Tundra, Sequoia, incoming 4Runner and soon, the Tacoma that will provide a preview of the all-new Hilux as well as the next generation Fortuner.
Given its intended market, the GX is not expected to offer a turbodiesel engine, which reports have alleged could comprise a mild-hybrid version of the existing 2.8 GD-6 mill, or even a less powerful adaption of the Land Cruiser 300’s 3.3-litre turbodiesel V6 in the Prado.
Instead, the current 4.6-litre V8, as well as the 2.7-litre four-cylinder and 4.0-litre V6 powering the Prado, are all anticipated to depart in favour of four new units; the 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid, the turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol and petrol hybrid and, as a replacement for the pair of bent-sixes, the 3.5-litre i-Force Max hybrid powering the Sequoia and Tundra.
Not for South Africa
Besides the US, the GX is also set to be offered in the Middle East, but not in Europe, Australia or as the case has been since 2002, South Africa.
In spite of Lexus not confirming an exact date-of-reveal, more teasers are expected in the coming months, with the same likely to apply to the Prado.
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