Toyota Trademarks FT-4X Name - FJ Cruiser Revival? UPDATE: REVEALED

[Gecko]

Toyota may have an off-road, FJ-inspired concept on the way

On October 10, 2016, Toyota filed for a trademark on the name "Toyota FT-4X." This trademark was first discovered by AutoGuide, and as they point out, this could be an indication of a future off-road-oriented concept vehicle. Could it be a successor to the FJ Cruiser?

We and AutoGuide both emphasize that this is likely a concept because Toyota likes to use the FT designation for concepts, as shown by the FT-86 and FT-1 concepts. We also are inclined to believe this is some sort of off-roader based on the "4X" suffix. If it is an off-roader, it would be the first time the "FT" name was applied to something other than a two-door sports car. Also, while it's likely a concept, both previous FT concepts led to production versions over a very long gestation period. So long that we're still waiting for the Supra hinted at by the FT-1 from a few years back. So perhaps we'll see a production version of whatever this FT-4X might be... eventually.

It's possible we may see this concept soon as well. Looking through the United States Patent and Trademark Office database, we found that Toyota filed for a trademark on the "S-FR" name in May 2015, and the concept made its debut in Tokyo that October. If that timeline is any indication, we could see a concept coming possibly in March or April, which would coincide with auto shows in Geneva and New York, respectively. Of course, this is just mildly educated estimation at this point since we only have a name and a filing date. But our fingers are crossed.

Source: Toyota may have an off-road, FJ-inspired concept on the way - Autoblog

Since Toyota often uses "FT" for concept designations, its also possible that this could be a concept previewing the next Land Cruiser OR Prado/4Runner, though I cannot think of the last time that Toyota did a concept car for either of those.

Return of an FJ Cruiser type of vehicle would be sweet for sure, and hard to imagine a better economic environment to introduce such a vehicle.

 

[KidVermicious]

A concept car means they'd be planning on floating big changes. I cannot imagine big changes to the Land Cruiser line being anything impressive to anybody using a Land Cruiser as a Land Cruiser.

It'd be neat if this heralded what the FJ Cruiser should have been in the first place, a 70-based solid axle two door with lockers and a pop top. But that's never going to happen.

 

[Soupbean]

Rav-4 ?

Just a little while back , forget where I read about it but there is suppose to be a RAV-4 TRD Rally inspired vehicle possibly being released as a sub model . Wish the TRD PRO package had a little more in the way of suspension & drivetrain. Something similar to the Ford Raptor. Last summer was following a Raptor in the next lane over of a fairly rough section of concrete freeway on our outer belt. In just about any vehicle it'll bounce you around quite a bit, kind of like you're riding a horse. The suspension on that Raptor was just eating the road imperfections alive . The suspension was just working like crazy but very controlled , no over travel or bounce. I'd like to test drive a PRO over that same section of road and see how it reacts.

 

[LandCruiser]

Toyota is one of the last manufacturers where an "off road" edition actually means something.

The 4Runner and Taco are serious contenders, so are the Land Cruiser and GX and LX when they're stripped off their city clothes.

The 4Runner and GX platform is old, the FJ Cruiser is dead, the Land Cruiser twins occupy a high end luxo barge platform and have been priced into absurdity. FJ Cruisers sell for more used than new...

So would they...

-Redo the 4Runner, merge it with the Prado, kill the GX Lexus and make an even more aggressive off road edition available in small numbers alongside on-road (and EPA fascist friendly) models?
-Bring back the FJ Cruiser idea as a standalone off road SUV while migrating all their other BOF SUVs closer to crossover hell?
-Build a concept, show it at SEMA, never produce/sell it, and tell their US customers to FOAD while they discontinue all BOF SUVs to make the emissions *******s happy?

I think Toyota has some designers who can actually design 4x4s but they keep them locked up in some basement somewhere.

 

[Spenny]

-Build a concept, show it at SEMA, never produce/sell it, and tell their US customers to FOAD while they discontinue all BOF SUVs to make the emissions *******s happy?

I think Toyota has some designers who can actually design 4x4s but they keep them locked up in some basement somewhere.

HAhahahaha the FOAD part. for real. Toyota is such a tease to the US market with all the goodies going elseware.

 

[Skuzz_84]

At least the US market has the 5th gen. No such thing in Aus

Sent from my SM-N915G using Tapatalk

 

[KidVermicious]

At least the US market has the 5th gen. No such thing in Aus

Sent from my SM-N915G using Tapatalk

I'd trade you the 5th gen 4Runner for a modernized 70-series in a minute. We can import the old ones, but not the newer ones.

 

[Gecko]

I am hearing that the FT-4X will indeed be a concept preview of the next gen 4Runner, to debut in 2018 as a 2019 model.

Seems that Toyota may skip a 2018 model year 4Runner all together with a long run for the 2017 as the final model year of the fifth gen.

 

[LandCruiser]

I am hearing that the FT-4X will indeed be a concept preview of the next gen 4Runner, to debut in 2018 as a 2019 model.

Seems that Toyota may skip a 2018 model year 4Runner all together with a long run for the 2017 as the final model year of the fifth gen.

So just overproduce them and drag them out for a year and a half until inventory is gone?

The only real fear is what the "4Runner replacement" is going to be.

If they listened to focus groups, they may be listening to the same guys who turned all if its competition into crossovers.

 

[Gecko]

So just overproduce them and drag them out for a year and a half until inventory is gone?

The only real fear is what the "4Runner replacement" is going to be.

If they listened to focus groups, they may be listening to the same guys who turned all if its competition into crossovers.

I do know that for right now, unibody is not in the cards for 4Runner. Body-On-Frame will live another day - thank god.

I put this in another thread recently, but I personally think we are looking at a rebadged Prado for the 6th gen 4Runner. Both are due for a 2018 redesign, and it makes the most sense from a product planning standpoint.

 

[LandCruiser]

I do know that for right now, unibody is not in the cards for 4Runner. Body-On-Frame will live another day - thank god.

I put this in another thread recently, but I personally think we are looking at a rebadged Prado for the 6th gen 4Runner. Both are due for a 2018 redesign, and it makes the most sense from a product planning standpoint.

So blend the GX and 4Runner into one US Prado model, or run them side by side like they do with the Land Cruiser twins?

 

[CO-Cygnus]

I am hearing that the FT-4X will indeed be a concept preview of the next gen 4Runner, to debut in 2018 as a 2019 model.

Seems that Toyota may skip a 2018 model year 4Runner all together with a long run for the 2017 as the final model year of the fifth gen.

Well, that would explain why the 4R is not getting TSS-P next year.

 

[Gecko]

So blend the GX and 4Runner into one US Prado model, or run them side by side like they do with the Land Cruiser twins?

I think GX will take a temporary hiatus and then return as a unibody vehicle based on Lexus' new GA-L architecture. Pretty sure that BOF GX is a done deal after 2017 MY.

 

[LandCruiser]

I think GX will take a temporary hiatus and then return as a unibody vehicle based on Lexus' new GA-L architecture. Pretty sure that BOF GX is a done deal after 2017 MY.

I'm okay with the Prado.

Surprised they didn't do it sooner. No reason to reinvent the platform for a NA unique design like the 4Runner.

 

[the rizz]

I checked out a used GX460 yesterday as a potential replacement for my aging 4th gen. I was solidly impressed. Getting the base trim would eliminate much of the electronic wizardry. Talk of some phantom FJ/6th Gen model in the FT-4X makes me want to wait a little longer to see if Toyota has anything interesting up their sleeve.

 

[jonesmw10]

Looks like they are going to show it off April 12th! Toyota just posted that on their Facebook page

 

[the rizz]

Their promo pic shows tire size of 225/55-18. What is that? Seems like something a Subaru Forrester would wear.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

Their promo pic shows tire size of 225/55-18. What is that? Seems like something a Subaru Forrester would wear.

That is the exact size of the Forester XT.

 

[engineeer]

Their promo pic shows tire size of 225/55-18. What is that? Seems like something a Subaru Forrester would wear.

Looks like a rally car.

 

[techno]

I hope it's something cool like this, even though concepts rarely ever get anywhere near production...