Toyota Land Cruiser Prado to go out with a bang: 70th Anniversary Edition to launch ahead of all-new model - reports

A new Toyota LandCruiser Prado might be edging closer, but the brand is planning something of a send off for the current model, with reports out of Japan pointing to a 70th Anniversary special edition to be revealed in months.

According to Japanese site Creative 311, the special-edition Prado will debut in August this year, just in time to celebrate the 70th birthday of the broader LandCruiser nameplate.

The news follows similar reports out of Japan that a lightly face-lifted Prado (think trim and option changes) will appear this year, ahead of the new model that should arrive around 12 months after the launch the new 300 Series.

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According to the reports, the new Prado will use a tweaked version of the existing 2.8-litre diesel engine, at least initially, with the changes expected to improve fuel efficiency without impacting power and torque - both of which are expected to match the current outputs of 150kW and 500Nm.

The brand is also reportedly working on a new petrol engine: a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol-hybrid, though it's not expected to be available when the vehicle launches, with the brand targeting a 2023 launch for the petrol version.

Before then, though, the current Prado will reportedly receive a 70th Anniversary special edition, though the changes will focus more on look and feel over engineering and mechanics

According to the report, the special-edition model will retain the engine and gearbox defaults, but will add new leather seats and dash inserts, as well as 70th Anniversary logos on the bodywork and floor mats.

The most obvious change, though, will be a new and blacked-out exterior treatment, with new black alloy wheels, mirror caps and roof rails, and black body flourishes, too.