Though Boy Scouts are most definitely not the vehicle's target market the FJ Concept's adventurous spirit would no doubt find interested young adult buyers if priced similarly to Jeep's inexpensive TJ 4x4.
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| If the design of the FJ Cruiser doesn't perk your interest, maybe its 250-hp supercharged 3.4-L V6 will. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
"It is important for Toyota to raise the emotional pulse of the emerging youth market," stated Press. "The FJ Cruiser is a thoughtful approach to versatility that allows the customer to decide how the vehicle fits into their active lifestyles."
If the packaging doesn't raise the 'emotional pulse' of the youth market the FJ Concept's Toyota Racing Development's (TRD) supercharged 3.4-L V6 certainly would. The 250 horsepower engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels in either high or low ranges. The SUV's TRD cat-back exhaust surely blats out an entertaining note, perfect for this class of vehicle.
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| Unlike numerous other concept vehicles the chances of the FJ being made are actually fairly good, and rumor has it maybe as soon as 2005 or 2006. (Photo: Toyota) |
Its ride and handling should be decent for its class as its chassis is derived from Toyota's very competent Tacoma pickup truck. The modified platform sports a rear coil-over long travel suspension with 20-inch alloy rims and 33-inch tires.
And now that age-old question, will they build it? Chances are, yes. Rumor has it the production version, due out in 2005 as a 2006 model just after Toyota releases its upgraded Tacoma pickup, will be closer in styling to the original FJ40, which is a good thing in my books. It is said to include the traditional backlight in its rear hatch and a more conventional C-pillar featuring larger glass panels and those cool rounded rear quarter windows. Sources say that its color choices could include the shade of blue featured on this concept, plus other retro Land Cruiser hues.