Toyota FT-4X Concept is Closer to Production Than You Think
Toyota has said the FT-4X Concept is 75-percent production ready.
The Toyota FT-4X Concept recently made its debut at the 2017 New York Auto Show, and while many were hoping it would be a proper FJ Cruiser successor, it turns out the FT-4X Concept isn’t geared towards off-road enthusiasts. Arguments about the concept aside, chief designer Ian Cartabiano confirmed to CarAdvice that Toyota’s Calty studio always aims for their concepts to be at the 75-percent stage, adding that if Toyota can produce the C-HR, it can produce the FT-4X. The Japanese automaker is sill waiting to see what the reaction is before making a decision.
SEE ALSO: Toyota FT-4X Concept is Not the FJ Cruiser Successor You Were Hoping For
Cartabiano is also the designer behind the C-HR, and shared some insights on how he would compare the two vehicles: “Being the designer of the C-HR, I always imagined [it] as the city mouse, with the FT-4X as the country mouse. They’re very similar, but this car has more interior volume, and more usable space. Its mission is different.”
He also touched on how the FT-4X isn’t intended to be a successor to the FJ Cruiser, saying the FT-4X Concept is “not a Moab rock crawling car.” As for how it came to be, the Calty team spoke to millennials and found they weren’t interested in climbing Everest, but in visiting Joshua Tree, camping at Yosemite or checking out Death Valley. That’s when the design team decided to change its focus from “hardcore to casual core” – much to the disappointment of FJ Cruiser enthusiasts.
[Source: CarAdvice]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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I've been waiting for a vehicle similar to this to come out. Finally an SUV decent on gas with plenty of space and masculine instead of curvy. Toyota would be wise to be the first to bring this design to production for all age groups. I'm ready to buy one today!
i will certainly be keeping my old FJ Cruiser , thiis looks like a cute city car.