Toyota Teases FT-AC Offroad Concept for LA

[Gecko]

Ahead of this year's L.A. Auto Show, Toyota has released a teaser image and a name for its latest concept. It's called the FT-AC, which stands for "Future Toyota Adventure Concept." That name alone implies something rugged and off-road-ready, and what we can tell from the image confirms it.

We can see that the truck has big, chunky plastic fender flares and thick roof rails. At the top of the windshield are auxiliary off-road lights that complement the big LED fog lights in the bumper. The bits of sheetmetal we can see also look angled with simple lines to emphasize toughness.

We can't tell much else from the teaser, but we think that this concept is also an indication that Toyota is very interested in launching a new off-roader of some sort. This comes from the fact that we already saw another chunky, dirt-road friendly Toyota concept with the FT designation at the New York show, in the form of the FT-4X.

It will be interesting to see what size this FT-AC is. If it's similarly sized to the compact FT-4X, it could be that Toyota is figuring out what styling and features people want most for a future crossover or SUV. We'll know more about this new concept when it is fully revealed on Nov. 30.

Source: https://www.autoblog.com/2017/11/16/toyota-teases-new-ft-ac-off-road-concept/

I know we all got excited over FT-4X for nothing, so we'll see if this is any better.

 

[Bumbo]

As much as I like the idea... knowing how conservative Toyota is, I wont hold my breath for anything other than a concept. That said, I would for once like to be proven wrong.

All Toyota needed to do to make people happy was to give us a 5th Gen with a V8 and real lockers front and rear. Would have solved like 90% of their problems right out of the gate on something that is already a top seller.

 

[Gecko]

To tamper expectations, I am now hearing this concept will preview the next generation Rav4. :doh:

 

[SnrDisregardo]

:doh:

 

[LandCruiser]

Just show me the damn truck and give me the specs, Toyota.

 

[BurghRunner]

Well...

 

[Peakbagger]

I watched the live stream this morning. the FT AC at least sounds much more capable off-road than the FT 4X. The Rep mentioned skids, terrain select, and front and rear lockers. Did not indicate if if they would be real lockers or electric like the current Atrac feature on the 5th gens. there were all kinds of other gadgety features like included action cams in the side view mirrors, led lighting in the full length roof rack and removable fog lights that can be used in other applications.while I hate the color, it sounds like if this vehicle makes it to production it will be offroad capable as a stock vehicle can be. I will be holding onto my 5th gen for a while but interested in what the rest of 4runner Nation thinks.

 

[Toffees]

Well...

So it's an Outback? IF so, that's cool, but not what anyone seems to have expected.

 

[SSDuck8]

In other photos ive seen today, it looks like a Rav4 that is going through puberty. Interesting idea, but too bad Subaru already got this one...

 

[Gecko]

The FT-AC is the first peek at the 2019 Rav4, and if you consider the "Adventure" grade that Toyota recently added, this concept makes a lot more sense overall.

 

[cocojoe53]

At least it's not as ugly as their last attempt at something new....Much most anxiety ridden over what they plan to do with the 4R ....The fact that it is in desperate need of a update is of much greater concern...

 

[Jetboy]

If you get rid of the ridiculous fender flares, I think it's a pretty sharp looking rav4. The grille and front end is a huge improvement over the current one.

 

[Scramble]

meh, nothing exciting here...wait, might be something for my girlfriend but probably doesn't have enough room for our 3 dogs.

 

[Bumbo]

The designers and I apparently have two very different views of what "offroad" is.

The more I read about this thing, the more it looks like a Crossover with a bunch of gimmicky junk attached to it.

"Features include fog lights that can be taken out of their pods and used as portable lights or attached to mountain bikes for night rides."

Anyone who rides at night already has quality dedicated lighting setups.

It should read... " Features include fog lights that can be stolen out of their pods increasing sales of replacement parts."

"There are infrared cameras on the side mirrors that can record trail runs or be removed for recording activities away from the vehicle."

Should read... "There are infrared cameras on the side mirrors that can record the theft of your fog lights, when away from the vehicle"

"The FT-AC also has an integrated bike rack that retracts in a few seconds, and it has geo-location capabilities for directions back to home or base camp."

Should read..." The FT-AC also has an integrated bike rack that is useful in carrying a secondary mode of transportation after getting stuck trying to take it off-road." Geo-Location capabilities... you mean GPS?

“FT-AC is perfect for those outdoor enthusiasts who want to dial up the adventure,” Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager for Toyota, said."

Jack Hollis has no idea what it means to dial up the adventure. Dial up the adventure while high centering a uni-body Crossover at the farmers market.

"With the FJ Cruiser gone, the 4Runner and Land Cruiser are Toyota's two remaining off-road-oriented SUVs. They are both body-on-frame vehicles, but the automaker lacks an off-road-focused offering with a car-like unibody structure." :wtf:

Sorry guys, but this one just isn't for me. I much prefer the automaker focus on the existing body-on-frame vehicles and continue to keep the roots and focus on their off-road pedigree and heritage, which apparently is too much to ask these days.

 

[collierunner]

I wonder if this will be the north american fortuner?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5212DpjraA

 

[mnofpeace]

+1...a Rav4 that's been working out is what i see...

and yes, Subaru already has one of these...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA3MKoYWFHs


Ive seen Fortuners down in the caribbean...they are smaller than T4Rs, but they look pretty decent and seem to be built pretty solidly. I guess it will cut into Highlander sales too much.

 

[jwatson]

The designers and I apparently have two very different views of what "offroad" is.

The more I read about this thing, the more it looks like a Crossover with a bunch of gimmicky junk attached to it.

"Features include fog lights that can be taken out of their pods and used as portable lights or attached to mountain bikes for night rides."

Anyone who rides at night already has quality dedicated lighting setups.

It should read... " Features include fog lights that can be stolen out of their pods increasing sales of replacement parts."

"There are infrared cameras on the side mirrors that can record trail runs or be removed for recording activities away from the vehicle."

Should read... "There are infrared cameras on the side mirrors that can record the theft of your fog lights, when away from the vehicle"

"The FT-AC also has an integrated bike rack that retracts in a few seconds, and it has geo-location capabilities for directions back to home or base camp."

Should read..." The FT-AC also has an integrated bike rack that is useful in carrying a secondary mode of transportation after getting stuck trying to take it off-road." Geo-Location capabilities... you mean GPS?

“FT-AC is perfect for those outdoor enthusiasts who want to dial up the adventure,” Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager for Toyota, said."

Jack Hollis has no idea what it means to dial up the adventure. Dial up the adventure while high centering a uni-body Crossover at the farmers market.

"With the FJ Cruiser gone, the 4Runner and Land Cruiser are Toyota's two remaining off-road-oriented SUVs. They are both body-on-frame vehicles, but the automaker lacks an off-road-focused offering with a car-like unibody structure." :wtf:

Sorry guys, but this one just isn't for me. I much prefer the automaker focus on the existing body-on-frame vehicles and continue to keep the roots and focus on their off-road pedigree and heritage, which apparently is too much to ask these days.

I think you're being a bit harsh, but this was hilarious and you're not wrong.

 

[jwatson]

If you look at the grill especially, I think there are some 4runner queues. Definitely a hybrid between the rav4 and 4runner in my eyes.

 

[Bumbo]

I think you're being a bit harsh, but this was hilarious and you're not wrong.

I was trying to be more funny than critical, but ya, I didn't have to lean on them that hard, but it's almost deserved.

I just can't help but :wacko::noidea:ound::frusty: face-palm with verbage and idea around "off-road-focused offering".

Toyota knows what Off-Road means, and someone needs to keep a leash on the marketing departments these days...

Lets not call it something that it isn't... It's an aggressive crossover. But the proof is in the pudding... if this thing actually has a proper drive-line and differentials and transfer case then it actually has potential. Lets see what they mean by "torque vectoring" These days they seem to be skimping on the awesome... even things like a TRD Pro they have moved away from the Torsen TC which was standard on the 4th Gen. Now you have to buy a limited or a Lexus to get it.

You don't see Subaru marketing the Outback as a Rally-focused monster. That said, everyone likes showing a little flex these days.

oooo dang


If it came out of the box looking something like this... then call it whatever you want.

 

[jwatson]

I was trying to be more funny than critical, but ya, I didn't have to lean on them that hard, but it's almost deserved.

I just can't help but :wacko::noidea:ound::frusty: face-palm with verbage and idea around "off-road-focused offering".

Toyota knows what Off-Road means, and someone needs to keep a leash on the marketing departments these days...

Lets not call it something that it isn't... It's an aggressive crossover. But the proof is in the pudding... if this thing actually has a proper drive-line and differentials and transfer case then it actually has potential. Lets see what they mean by "torque vectoring" These days they seem to be skimping on the awesome... even things like a TRD Pro they have moved away from the Torsen TC which was standard on the 4th Gen. Now you have to buy a limited or a Lexus to get it.

You don't see Subaru marketing the Outback as a Rally-focused monster. That said, everyone likes showing a little flex these days.

oooo dang


If it came out of the box looking something like this... then call it whatever you want.

You're absolutely right, can't argue with anything you said. Cool concept (I think), but let's tell it like it is for once.