New FJ Pays Homage to Toyota's Long and Rich 4x4 History

The return of a legend? Toyota certainly hopes so. The addition of a ninth sport utility model to the Japanese automaker's lineup

Developed in the early '50s, the virtually unstoppable Land Cruiser was introduced to North America as a '58 model. From 1961-65, it was the region's best-selling Toyota. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

will not only add to its sales roster but should also boost interest in the brand.

After all, the FJ Cruiser pays tribute to one of the most recognized SUVs of all time, the FJ40 Land Cruiser. The short wheelbase Jeep-like all-terrain vehicle sold from late 1958 until production ended in 1983. Initially the Land Cruiser was Japan's military conveyance, over-engineered to provide punishing service no matter the job at hand. Except for a tendency to attract rust, it was virtually unstoppable.

Without doubt Toyota will increase coverage of its latest truck focused

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. COO Jim Press unveiled the FJ Cruiser concept sport utility vehicle on January 7, 2003 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

television ads when the FJ Cruiser debuts at the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday, February 9th. The ads remind truck and SUV buyers about Toyota's long and rich history in the genre, in which it offered a lineup of sport utility vehicles long before they were trendy.

The new FJ Cruiser should do the same, not only causing truck and SUV buyers to remember the short wheelbase FJ40 and BJ70 models, but also its line of full-size Land Cruiser wagons, the original 4Runner pickup truck-based sport utility, and early Toyota 4x4 pickup trucks.

During the announcement, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. spokesman Sam Butto made no mention of whether the bright blue FJ Cruiser

The FJ Cruiser concept adopted styling cues from the original FJ, notably the front end with its wide and narrow grille, round headlights, and offset combination lamps. Whether or not the production FJ will look the same, is not yet known. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

concept which debuted in Detroit in 2003 has influenced the design of the production FJ, a chunky SUV that could almost intimidate a Hummer H2.

The concept and production model were designed at Newport Beach, California's Calty Design Research, Toyota's North American design center, which intimates that there will surely be similarities.

When the FJ Concept debuted, executive vice president for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Jim Press stated, "The FJ Cruiser is a thoroughly modern concept vehicle chiseled from nearly a half-century tradition of rugged

Toyota hopes the FJ will attract buyers from both the light truck segment and the emerging youth market. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

performance provided by the legendary FJ40, the original 4Runner and 4x4 pickups."

Press went on to say, "The FJ Cruiser concept effectively connects two growing markets in the United States (North America)... the light truck segment and the emerging youth market."

That youth market is important for Toyota, as traditionally when children become adults they tend to purchase different brands than their parents. Such was the reason behind Toyota's Scion brand, featuring the xA compact hatchback, xB compact crossover wagon, and tC sports coupe, none at all similar to Toyota's best-selling Camry sedan or Sienna minivan.

"It is important for Toyota to raise the emotional pulse of the emerging youth market," stated Press during the concept's launch.

"It is important for Toyota to raise the emotional pulse of the emerging youth market," commented Press. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

"The FJ Cruiser is a thoughtful approach to versatility that allows the customer to decide how the vehicle fits into their active lifestyles."

While the FJ's packaging will most likely raise the "emotional pulse" of the youth market if it indeed borrows styling details from the FJ Concept, the automaker has given no indication as to what powertrain will end up under the sheetmetal. Most likely the FJ Concept's Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger will only be available through dealers as an upgrade, and its 3.4L V6 replaced with the new Tacoma's almost as powerful naturally aspirated 4.0L V6,

The FJ will probably be powered by the new Tacoma's naturally aspirated 4.0L V6. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

producing 245-horsepower and 282 lb-ft of torque compared to the 250-horsepower suggested by the concept.

The same pickup truck's 2.7L 4-cylinder, making 164-horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque will most likely come standard, with no mention of a diesel powertrain option - something later versions of the FJ40 and all years of BJ70s offered. Diesel power would make sense as an alternative, however, being that the brand's 4x4 loyalists would flock to the FJ Cruiser if offered. Toyota may want to take a cue from the FJ's key rival, Jeep, which made a turbodiesel Liberty available this year and has correspondingly received strong buyer interest.

While some analysts believe Jeep jumped the gun on offering diesel power, being that improvements made to fuel quality, such

With Toyota's major move into hybrid power, it's not unreasonable to envision a hybrid FJ in the future. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

as lowering its sulfur content, are not expected to arrive at the pump until 2006. This is, however, the same time the FJ Cruiser will hit the streets, and considering diesel emissions would be dramatically improved over gasoline powered engines, as well as the benefits of improved fuel economy with the resultant consumer savings, extended range, especially important to 4x4 expeditions where refueling stations may be sparsely available or not present at all, and additional torque available lower down in the engine's rev range, better for off-roading.

Toyota has also announced plans to build hybrid diesel powerplants, which would improve on all the previously mentioned attributes to diesel power. It is possible, then, that the FJ could be a fuel efficiency leader like the

It would make sense for the Japanese automaker to use the Tacoma as a base for the new FJ. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

sensational Prius or upcoming Lexus RX 400h gasoline-electric hybrids.

Adding to its efficiency, the FJ Cruiser will also most likely feature the Tacoma's range of advanced transmissions, which include a 5-speed manual in base trim, and optional 5-speed automatic across the line, as well as a 6-speed manual in V6 trim.

Why all the references to Tacoma? Well, the FJ Concept was based on Toyota's all-terrain hauler, new from the ground up this year. It would make sense for the Japanese automaker to use the Tacoma as a base for the new FJ, which if done, would include the engine and drivetrain combinations mentioned.

The modified FJ Cruiser concept platform featured a rear coil-over long travel

The FJ Cruiser will be unveiled at Chicago's Grand Ballroom in McCormick Place on February 9th. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

suspension with 20-inch alloy rims and 33-inch tires, but once again no mention has been made of exactly what changes will be made to the production SUV.

All will find out on Wednesday morning, February 9th when the FJ Cruiser is unveiled at Chicago's Grand Ballroom in McCormick Place. Details such as its price, sales date and which plant will build it will be disclosed later, according to Toyota spokesman Butto.