Will Toyota Unveil a New FJ Cruiser Concept in New York?
By Fred Meier
August 1, 2017
Share
Toyota FT-4X concept teaser |
CARS.COM — Toyota released a concept vehicle teaser today that is truly a tease: just a photo of a tire and the phrase “Four Wheeling. Scene Stealing.” It promised a full reveal of the FT-4X Concept (Future Toyota 4×4?) concept April 12 at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.
Not much to go on, then, but enough to light a fire under fans of the departed Toyota FJ Cruiser who hope for a new version of that cult-hit truck last sold in the U.S. in 2014. Giving some cred to the idea is the fact that the tire in the photo is a beefy, block-tread, 225/55 18-inch Goodyear.
There’s a business case for a new FJ. Toyota must have noticed that Jeep’s Wrangler continues to sell, with a new generation waiting in the wings. Also, Ford has announced a return of the Bronco with off-road chops. And there is a world market for such a truck, particularly in places where driving on the road is like off-roading. Will Toyota, home of ruggedized TRD truck models, leave this profitable segment to others?
We’ll have full coverage here of what Toyota unveils in New York, so check back.
2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser |
Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief
Fred Meier
Former D.C. Bureau Chief Fred Meier, who lives every day with Washington gridlock, has an un-American love of small wagons and hatchbacks.