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Toyota has unveiled the FT-4X concept car at the New York motor show, saying explicitly that it's been designed to recapture the spirit of the classic sixties-and-seventies FJ-model Land Cruiser.
In spite of that, it's crossover-small, not Land Cruiser-big. Based on the same Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) chassis as the Prius and the C-HR, the FT-4X is about the same length overall as a Mazda CX-3, and about the same height as a Range Rover Evoque. Toyota doesn't currently have a compact crossover (although the C-HR is almost small enough to count as such) so this concept could well preview a future rival to the next-gen Nissan Juke.
The chunky styling, retro at the front, futuristic at the back, has been penned in Toyota's 'Calty' design studio in California, as part of a project led by studio head Kevin Hunter. "The FT-4X is not simply a concept where style meets function; it is a thoughtful, charming and engaging experience that adds real pleasure and convenience to the journey," Mr Hunter said. "We focused on how a crossover vehicle can add fun and value to casual adventures both I and out of the city, thinking about how someone would use it, and what they would love to do with it."
As with the tiny Aygo, the FT-4X has been designed around an 'X-Theme' - look at the sides, and you'll see that the massive wheels and off-road tyres form an x-shape with the door handle being the crossing point.
For a concept car, there are a number of clever, practical touches. Most notably, the tailgate (accessed by a chunky handle designed to be operated by a hand wearing a heavy glove) can be opened in two different ways. There's an 'urban' setting with a vertical split which allows the tailgate doors to be opened in tight spaces, and an 'outdoor' mode where the entire tailgate opens upwards, to create a sheltered spot for loading and unloading.
There are also changeable body panels, including a large glass panel in the rear quarter which can be swapped with opaque or coloured glass if desired and, this being an off-roader so to speak, there is of course a built-in GoPro camera for capturing your muddy moments.
In the boot, there are twin storage boxes - one is heated, the other chilled - for storing food or drying out clothes, while the whole cargo floor slides out. There's also a 'wet zone' for muddy or wet boots and clothes.
In the main cabin, the door handles double as water bottles (yes, really), the lights can be removed as torches, there's a North Face sleeping bag tucked away in the centre console, while the on-board infotainment system can be removed and used as a campsite 'boom-box.'
There's no navigation system, but there is a mobile phone port in the dash, allowing buyers to use their own Google Maps setup. Calty chief designer Ian Cartabiano said the mechanical satisfaction of the concept's tactile grips, handles and controls are in contrast with today's digital world. "You can tell that we had a blast designing the FT-4X because it looks fun to use and fun to drive," Mr Cartabiano said. "We want everyone to interact with this car and feel a sense of delight and excitement."
There's no engine in this concept, but Toyota says that it could be easily fitted with a compact four-cylinder unit (most likely the 1.2 petrol turbo D4-T) if production were to get the go-ahead.