FJ Cruiser to join Toyota fleet next year

A lower-priced, genuine off-roading SUV is the latest model in Toyota's apparently non-stop product onslaught, with younger buyers once again the target.

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser (photo: Toyota)

That would be the FJ Cruiser, which Toyota's chief U.S executive, Don Esmond, said was developed as ''a basic, capable and affordable off-roader aimed specifically at young buyers with active outdoor lifestyles.''

This new model ''effectively fills a gap in the Toyota lineup which was once our core heritage - - capable, affordable and durable vehicles that are youthful, fun-to-drive, aggressive and tough.''

FJ Cruiser is counter-programming to the faux-by-four RAV-4, in other words, and should be in dealerships early in 2006.

Speaking at the SUV's reveal at the Chicago Auto Show, Esmond said the FJ Cruiser was okayed for production after the ''overwhelmingly positive response'' to the concept car that debuted at the same show in 2003.

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser (photo: Toyota)

Esmond said the FJ Cruiser will deliver ''true off-road ruggedness, image and performance at a very low price, making it highly accessible for a large volume of young buyers.''

The five-passenger FJ Cruiser is said to have an ''authentic functional form,'' yet still takes a deep bow in the direction of an old Toyota SUV called the FJ 40. Indeed, some of those homage touches are notable on the front end by its wide grille with ''Toyota'' logo badging, round headlights, and offset combination lamps.

Historic bits apart, Esmond said ''the modern shape of the FJ Cruiser is woven into a compact package set on a wide track, producing enhanced stability and a powerful stance.''

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser (photo: Toyota)

Utility features include a two-part rear hatch with flip-up glass, black overfenders with mudguards, and silver painted bumper extenders, mirrors, door handles and skid plate.

Power comes from a 4-liter V-6 generating 245 hp and 282 lb-ft. of torque, which is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission on both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, or an optional six-speed manual on 4x4 models.

FJ Cruiser rides on a modified 4Runner platform and features 17-inch steel wheels and four-wheel disc brakes.

Esmond said Toyota tried to carry the FJ Cruiser's ''tough and straightforward theme'' into the interior with a ''cabin designed specifically for basic functionality and flexible utility.''

Different parts of the FJ Cruiser's interior are supposed to allude to different aspects of the SUV's personality. By using an exterior color in the instrument panel, for example, a ''sophisticated, handcrafted appearance'' is suggest. A mechanical note is supposed to be struck by the round inset instrumentation of the faceplate on the instrument panel, and the steering wheel, center-mounted shifter and attached-look door panels feature ''tool-like simplicity.''