FT-4X

[FJR Colorado]

So, who has some juicy insider info?

(and not just a close-up of an 18" rim like Toyota blasted out today in advance of the NY Auto Show)

 

[Colonal Angus]

That tire size makes me think that it'll compete with the Jeep Renegade eepwall:

 

[Watt maker]

I hope it's targeted towards the rally car crowd and not at us.

 

[Arktikos]

Quote: Toyota said Wednesday morning it will bring something called the FT-4X concept to the show, dropping a two-sentence statement titled "Four Wheeling. Scene Stealing."

 

[FJR Colorado]

That tire size makes me think that it'll compete with the Jeep Renegade eepwall:

I noticed that as well. Kinda' appears like some sort of Venza meets a Subaru.

 

[SWITAWI]

I like this entertaining speculation - "...Not to get schadenfreude-y, but it'd serve @Ford right for taking so long with the new #Bronco if @Toyota stole their thunder with a new FJ..."

http://jalopnik.com/toyota-might-make-the-suv-comeback-tour-a-bloodbath-1793799055

Also - "...While Toyota already has a brace of off-road-capable pickups and SUVs in its stable, the departure of the hardcore, retro-styled FJ Cruiser in 2013 left a hole in its lineup. With Ford confirming a new Bronco and Jeep's Wrangler continuing to sell like gangbusters (and it's got a new generation on the way), perhaps the Japanese automaker is keen to test the segment's waters again.

Sold between 2006 and 2013 in North America, the FJ Cruiser only enjoyed a couple years of strong sales before a precipitous decline. However, the distinctively styled body-on-frame SUV remains sought after on the used-vehicle market, and residual values are very strong. And it's not just resale prices -- the FJ Cruiser has managed to retain that sort of elusive, cult-like following that automakers prize and love to cultivate."

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/toyota-ft-4x-concept-teased-for-new-york-wrangler-bronco-rival/

 

[Dalko43]

I like this entertaining speculation - "...Not to get schadenfreude-y, but it'd serve @Ford right for taking so long with the new #Bronco if @Toyota stole their thunder with a new FJ..."

http://jalopnik.com/toyota-might-make-the-suv-comeback-tour-a-bloodbath-1793799055

Also - "...While Toyota already has a brace of off-road-capable pickups and SUVs in its stable, the departure of the hardcore, retro-styled FJ Cruiser in 2013 left a hole in its lineup. With Ford confirming a new Bronco and Jeep's Wrangler continuing to sell like gangbusters (and it's got a new generation on the way), perhaps the Japanese automaker is keen to test the segment's waters again.

Sold between 2006 and 2013 in North America, the FJ Cruiser only enjoyed a couple years of strong sales before a precipitous decline. However, the distinctively styled body-on-frame SUV remains sought after on the used-vehicle market, and residual values are very strong. And it's not just resale prices -- the FJ Cruiser has managed to retain that sort of elusive, cult-like following that automakers prize and love to cultivate."

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/toyota-ft-4x-concept-teased-for-new-york-wrangler-bronco-rival/

This is part of the reason I can't stomach Jalopnik anymore, besides some of the political crap they associate themselves with: they put out poorly-researched, highly speculative articles or just regurgitate what other sites have said.

the departure of the hardcore, retro-styled FJ Cruiser in 2013 left a hole in its lineup.

What the heck is the author talking about? The FJ Cruiser platform is still in production, just with a different body on it (the 5th gen 4runner). And with 5th gen sales going strong, as well as Tacoma sales, I really don't see how or why Toyota would add another mid-sized BOF SUV/Truck to the market. Unless the FT-4X is being brought in to replace one or both of those models.

 

[FLnative]

That Jalopnik article definitely got my hopes up after reading the headline, but the tire size tells a different story. As stated above, I'd wager the FT-4X will be a Renegade/Forester competitor rather than Wrangler/Bronco competitor.

 

[Curtis-BW-Guenther]

What the heck is the author talking about? The FJ Cruiser platform is still in production, just with a different body on it (the 5th gen 4runner). And with 5th gen sales going strong, as well as Tacoma sales, I really don't see how or why Toyota would add another mid-sized BOF SUV/Truck to the market. Unless the FT-4X is being brought in to replace one or both of those models.

The author is more correct than you. Yes the FJ and Runner share suspension components the runner is 1/2' Longer and has a longer wheelbase with worse approach and departure angles. They are very similar yes but not the same.

 

[SWITAWI]

That Jalopnik article definitely got my hopes up after reading the headline, but the tire size tells a different story. As stated above, I'd wager the FT-4X will be a Renegade/Forester competitor rather than Wrangler/Bronco competitor.

That tire size is just standard concept vehicle over-sizing these days, so that doesn't worry me.

After all the '03 FJC Concept didn't exactly have 70-series sidewalls on its custom 'tonka-tread' tires.

 

[Airmapper]

That tire size is just standard concept vehicle over-sizing these days, so that doesn't worry me.

After all the '03 FJC Concept didn't exactly have 70-series sidewalls on its custom 'tonka-tread' tires.

You mean under-sizing? It's the equivalent of 28"s. My old Ford Escape had bigger tires.

This is tire size, not wheel size, it's overall height of the rubber part with tread on it. You think it's a serious off road vehicle has 28" TIRES?

 

[SWITAWI]

You mean under-sizing? It's the equivalent of 28"s. My old Ford Escape had bigger tires.

This is tire size, not wheel size, it's overall height of the rubber part with tread on it. You think it's a serious off road vehicle has 28" TIRES?

Oh, good God. My comment was merely to reflect that a common theme on manufacturer concept vehicles is small sidewall tires to emphasize large-ish wheels.

I would expect a real-world version to run a taller and more practical sidewall ratio if it ever got to production.

I forgive you for not being able to read my muddled mind today. :beer:

 

[Arktikos]

You mean under-sizing? It's the equivalent of 28"s. My old Ford Escape had bigger tires.

This is tire size, not wheel size, it's overall height of the rubber part with tread on it. You think it's a serious off road vehicle has 28" TIRES?

FJ40 and 60 series Land Cruisers came stock with about the same size, if not smaller tires, and so did 1st and 2nd generation 4Runners. Bigger tires have become more fashionable though, for sure.

 

[FLnative]

Toyota's headline reads "Four Wheeling. Scene Stealing." Hopefully that means it will be a new FJ type truck with a removable top which would be awesome. Not sure what other four wheeling scene they would be referring to unless.... rally

 

[Dalko43]

The author is more correct than you. Yes the FJ and Runner share suspension components the runner is 1/2' Longer and has a longer wheelbase with worse approach and departure angles. They are very similar yes but not the same.

The FJ shares more than suspension components with the 4runner. It is basically built off the same platform as the 4runner (Toyota's international LandCruiser Prado platform). Yes, wheelbase and overall length might vary slightly, but the overall design and layout is extremely similar: IFS, Solid rear axle, 4.0L V6, similar auto transmission, rear locker.

The 4th gen 4runner was different from the FJ in that it was a bit more road-oriented. The new 5th gen 4runner is basically a newer version of the FJ platform, albeit with a different body on top and slightly longer wheelbase. And I can't think of any terrain or situation that a FJ Cruiser could get through that a 5th gen 4runner couldn't (talking stock of course). Maybe they're not tit-for-tat the same, but they're close enough that it would make no sense for Toyota to introduce another FJ-type vehicle with the 5th gen 4runner still in production and with such strong sales #'s.

And back to what that author was saying, Toyota certainly didn't leave any "hole" in it's 4x4 offerings when it stopped FJ production...the most recent generation of 4runner and Tacoma have performed far better in that market than the FJ ever did.