Toyota Trademarks FT-4X Name - FJ Cruiser Revival? UPDATE: REVEALED
- Thread starter Gecko
- Start date
The only thing that gives me hope is:
The lettering for the size 225/55/18 looks off. Like maybe it was put there accidentally or to throw someone off of what it really is.
Their press release has the title. Four Wheeling. Scene Stealing. This sort of makes me think of the jeep/removable top scene which Jeep has had on lock-down for a long time. What 'scene' would a Rav4 or other crossover be stealing?
I'd poop myself if it was an FJ variant with a removable top.
The lettering for the size 225/55/18 looks off. Like maybe it was put there accidentally or to throw someone off of what it really is.
Their press release has the title. Four Wheeling. Scene Stealing. This sort of makes me think of the jeep/removable top scene which Jeep has had on lock-down for a long time. What 'scene' would a Rav4 or other crossover be stealing?
I'd poop myself if it was an FJ variant with a removable top.
BlackWorksInc
New member
It'll be an interesting concept/one-off that will never see the light of day, or if it does it will be horribly butchered. This is the way of Toyota... : /
Yep.
To be fair though, this is common with other manufacturers also. I can't count the number of times I've seen some concept vehicle from Ford and been super impressed...only to be completely underwhelmed when it actually made it to market.
CO-Cygnus
New member
Look at Subaru's concepts for actual production vehicles...
Subaru XV Concept Photos and Info ? News ? Car and Driver
...vs Reality.
Freshly revised 2018 Subaru Crosstrek set for New York auto show appearance | Autoweek
So I'm not going to get too wound up about this one unless they show off something like a production ready Turbo V6, or other tech that is destined for production cars.
Subaru XV Concept Photos and Info ? News ? Car and Driver
...vs Reality.
Freshly revised 2018 Subaru Crosstrek set for New York auto show appearance | Autoweek
So I'm not going to get too wound up about this one unless they show off something like a production ready Turbo V6, or other tech that is destined for production cars.
Concept cars are never meant to go into production as-shown.
They are not built with costs, functionality, safety regulations, included...which is why you always end up with something different. You see these huge tires/wheels, shaved door handles, shaved roof (headroom anyone?), tiny mirrors, space-age head/fog lights. You won't get any of it because it isn't practical.
One of the closest concepts I can remember was the FJ Cruiser.
They are not built with costs, functionality, safety regulations, included...which is why you always end up with something different. You see these huge tires/wheels, shaved door handles, shaved roof (headroom anyone?), tiny mirrors, space-age head/fog lights. You won't get any of it because it isn't practical.
One of the closest concepts I can remember was the FJ Cruiser.
BlackWorksInc
New member
To be fair, at this point we're toeing the line between a true "Concept Car" like say that crazy FT-1 Concept and say something like:
(Inline 6 Hino Diesel Dually Axled Tundra "One-Off" for I believe it was 2008 if I remember right)
Which wasn't a concept vehicle, it was a "One-Off" vehicle because they wanted attention but didn't want to actually follow through with anything groundbreaking. That's where my comment came from.
They'll come out with some interesting Concept or One-Off that will never be even considered to be produced and they'll just make people resent them more for it.
Gecko
New member
Believe it or not, Toyota/Lexus has a long history of translating concept cars to production with little change (when they want to).
Lexus HPS --> 2nd generation Lexus GS
Lexus LF-LC --> Lexus LC
Lexus LF-Sh --> 4th generation Lexus LS
Lexus LF-Gh --> 3rd generation Lexus GS
Lexus LF-A --> Lexus LFA
Lexus LF-NX --> Lexus NX
Toyota C-HR --> Toyota C-HR
Toyota FT 86 --> Toyota 86/Scion FR-S
Toyota FTX --> Toyota Tundra
Lexus HPS --> 2nd generation Lexus GS
Lexus LF-LC --> Lexus LC
Lexus LF-Sh --> 4th generation Lexus LS
Lexus LF-Gh --> 3rd generation Lexus GS
Lexus LF-A --> Lexus LFA
Lexus LF-NX --> Lexus NX
Toyota C-HR --> Toyota C-HR
Toyota FT 86 --> Toyota 86/Scion FR-S
Toyota FTX --> Toyota Tundra
99 sr5 highlander
New member
I find it interesting that there is no coil visible on the shock. Its probably just a weird concept thing, but could be an insight as to the suspension set up. (I'm not sure what that would be.) I was really excited to for the FT-4X, but I'm slowly becoming less optimistic.
I don't know why people keep speculating that this is a FJ revival. What did the FJ do that the 5th gen can't? They're practically built off the same platform. And currently the 4runner is selling much better than the FJ ever did.
My view is that Toyota already has good exposure to the 4x4 market with its 4runner and LC offerings, as well as the Tacoma and Tundra on the pickup side of things. I don't know what a "new" FJ is going to accomplish for them, sales-wise.
I'd love to see Toyota come out with something like this. Unfortunately, I think Toyota is way too conservative a company to put out something like this.
My view is that Toyota already has good exposure to the 4x4 market with its 4runner and LC offerings, as well as the Tacoma and Tundra on the pickup side of things. I don't know what a "new" FJ is going to accomplish for them, sales-wise.
(Inline 6 Hino Diesel Dually Axled Tundra "One-Off" for I believe it was 2008 if I remember right)
I'd love to see Toyota come out with something like this. Unfortunately, I think Toyota is way too conservative a company to put out something like this.
Gecko
New member
The only thing I really know for sure with relation to a next generation 4Runner/Prado/GX is that ToMoCo seems to be noncommittal with even their own product plans, with lots of last minute change happening across the board late in the process.
From people who are very close to all three models (folks with product and design knowledge who have been right about other model changes for a very long time), I've heard rumors of discontinuation for the last 2 years. Most recently (within the last 2 months), I've heard that there will be a heavy refresh for all three models in August/Sept/October of this year. I think this could be about as significant as the 2016 refresh for the Land Cruiser and LX - part of that reason being that the GX will be introduced into other world markets and needs a major overhaul to do that, and same for the 4Runner to be introduced in Japan as Hilux Surf. Think of how significantly the LX changed from 2012-2015, vs 2016 (this had to be done for branding purposes coinciding with introductions to new world markets who also get Land Cruiser and would see the two as too similar):
At some point closer to 2021/22, there will likely be a full redesign on either a unibody architecture or an alleged "TNGA-F" that is a new BOF architecture.
My guess at this point is that the FT-4X will be a concept vehicle representing a unibody midsize offload vehicle that could become Prado/4Runner/GX in the future.
^Lots of speculation above. Only sharing what I know and have heard.
From people who are very close to all three models (folks with product and design knowledge who have been right about other model changes for a very long time), I've heard rumors of discontinuation for the last 2 years. Most recently (within the last 2 months), I've heard that there will be a heavy refresh for all three models in August/Sept/October of this year. I think this could be about as significant as the 2016 refresh for the Land Cruiser and LX - part of that reason being that the GX will be introduced into other world markets and needs a major overhaul to do that, and same for the 4Runner to be introduced in Japan as Hilux Surf. Think of how significantly the LX changed from 2012-2015, vs 2016 (this had to be done for branding purposes coinciding with introductions to new world markets who also get Land Cruiser and would see the two as too similar):
At some point closer to 2021/22, there will likely be a full redesign on either a unibody architecture or an alleged "TNGA-F" that is a new BOF architecture.
My guess at this point is that the FT-4X will be a concept vehicle representing a unibody midsize offload vehicle that could become Prado/4Runner/GX in the future.
^Lots of speculation above. Only sharing what I know and have heard.
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99% of the car rumors that are "heard" turn out to be nothing.
How exactly was the 2016 LC refresh "significant?" Same platform and powertrain as before, correct?
CO-Cygnus
New member
New Transmission, Technology, Interior, and Exterior.
So basically the same Landcruiser as before but with an updated transmission and different body pieces. Not trying to be snarky, but this is still a LC 200 we're talking about here. Anytime someone touts a model "refresh" I have a hard time seeing it as anything more than marketing hype.
Gecko
New member
I'm sure you're aware that a refresh is often for "marketing hype" purposes to make the same old hunk of sheetmetal look new and exciting.
A full redesign will not be happening for 2018.
bigbwb
Member
Thank you for sharing your educated thoughts here! We all are excited for something new and lets be glad that its likely in the works.....even if its a substantial refresh!
If its anything like the 2016 LC refresh, that might not be all that bad! My wish list is some kind of powertrain improvement perhaps a new 8sp transmission and revised 4.0L V6 with DI (the latter of which is less likely). A full redesign in 3-4 years would be welcomed too.
May I ask what you do for Toyota? You always seem to be well informed.
Thanks.
Brandon
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