The specs say 127kW and 410NM.  That brings their diesel up to date with the
Pathfinder, on paper at least, but still lacks against other like-minded
4x4s.

The test drive was pretty much as expected.  Same old Prado in every other
respect, but with a new and more powerful common-rail diesel.  On my test
drive road-circuit, it was impossible to guage just how much of a difference
this new engine will make to the driving experience... presumably it will
make a difference off-road.

My first impression, as I pulled out of the dealership, was that it's engine
was a little noisier than the previous diesel.  Of course, this was entirely
subjective, and I would have liked to have test driven an older diesel just
to check, but they had no old diesels on the yard - sold out!  The salesman
quickly interjected, explaining that this new common-rail diesel ought to be
quieter than the previous diesel.  That left me wondering if Toyota have
skimped on noise-deadening material between the engine-bay and the cabin?
That would be a typical cost-saving trade-off of a manufacturer.  Then
again, it may have just been my imagination.

The other thing that surprised me was that the new diesel commands an
additional $2,600!  Ouch!  I was expecting a small price hike, but $2,600
sounds like robbery.  I'm hoping this price hike is just for the
early-adopters (who just gotta have it at any price).  I'm not an early
adopter, but timing is such that I would like to replace my vehicle in the
not too distant future.  Maybe Toyota pricing is more reasonable after the
early-adopter period is over?

Cheers,
LFaR.