toyota
Yeah, it's just a concept car, but this one might find its way onto the highway. It's the 400hp Toyota FT-HS Sports set to roll out on January 7 at the Detroit Auto Show. What really caught our eye was the Electric Tesla-like numbers of zero-to-60 in 4 seconds, and one big figure that's actually smaller than expected: Toyota is shooting for the mid-$30,000 price range.
Even though we like the Toyota Pius, it is kind of dorky looking. Maybe elements of this design could be incorporated into the next Pius. This is something we could live with. Check out six more wicked pics:
The hard top folds into the trunk in pics three and four.
Even if this doesn't show up on showroom floors any time soon, it might just be foreshadowing of what we might see with a possible Toyota Supra in the works.
Toyota just revealed the newest edition of the Vi's, the four-door subcompact sedan developed for the Chinese and South East Asia market. It's basically the JDM Toyota with a bit less (or maybe more) flourish. And by JDM Toyota we also mean it's basically the Toyota Yaris with a bit more flourish. you got us — we don't know much about the new-for-2007 model.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
The new FJ Cruiser is based on the concept vehicle unveiled at Detroit's North American International Automobile Show in 2003. Public and media reaction to the FJ Cruiser concept was so positive that the vehicle was slated for production using most of the same design parameters as the original. |  |
| 1973 Toyota FJ Cruiser | 2003 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV |
The FJ provides optimized off-road capabilities, value and styling clues reminiscent of Toyota's famed FJ40 4x4 utility vehicle, sold in the U.S. from 1960 to 1983, and which during its production life served around the world as the safari and expedition vehicle of choice, remaining a desirable and collectible off-road vehicle.
As an indicator of the vehicle's unmistakable family DNA, several of the FJ Cruiser's available color choices are reminiscent of the colors found on FJ40s.
The FJ Cruiser was created at Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, California.
Design features that hint at the FJ Cruiser's heritage are its front grille, which ties its two round, five-inch headlights together in much the same way the FJ40's headlights and grille were integrated; its hood and fender contours; and a rear-mounted and exposed full-size spare tire with an off-center license-plate-mounting location. Additionally, the FJ Cruiser employs a white roof cap and wrap-around rear side windows, which were FJ40 signatures.
The FJ Cruiser uses two main doors – one per side – but unlike anything ever seen on an FJ40, it also uses two access doors that open 90 degrees in clams shell fashion for easy rear-seat ingress and egress. Additionally, a swing-up glass hatch is incorporated into the side-hinged rear door. This opens independently of the rear door and helps accommodate longer items such as lumber or surfboards while keeping the rear door closed.
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Wheel arches are angular and open to provide maximum clearance for the FJ Cruiser's large 32-inch tires at full suspension deflection. The arches are edged by flexible fender flares that resist damage during vigorous off-loading – and also resist damage from the doors of the vehicles beside which the FJ Cruiser might find itself parked during urban and suburban expeditions.
Chassis and Suspension
The FJ Cruiser's tough, wide stance is based around a frame and front-and-rear suspension systems adapted from those found on the 120-Series Prado (Land Cruiser Prado in some markets). The frame is a boxed steel ladder-braced unit to which is mounted the FJ Cruiser's welded steel body. Independent front suspension, which offers 7.87 inches of wheel travel for outstanding suspension articulation, is via double wishbones, the geometry of which is adapted for superior road feel and ride comfort. Tubular shock absorbers and an anti-sway bar also are employed.
A solid rear axle using a four-link coil-spring suspension system with a lateral rod, tubular shock absorbers and an anti-sway bar is employed. This system provides 9.1 inches of wheel travel. All 4x2 FJ Cruisers come standard with a virtual automatic limited-slip differential, provided and operated by an advanced traction-control system to enhance traction of both rear wheels in slippery driving conditions.
An electronic locking rear differential with an eight-inch ring gear is available. The ring gear in the front differential of the 4x4 FJ Cruiser also measures eight inches.
The front/rear differential gear ratio is 3.727:1 (5 A/T) and 3.909:1 (6 M/T). Finally, the disc-brake system uses ventilated 12.6-inch/front and 12.3-inch/rear rotors.
Steering is provided by a variable-ratio, hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion system. Wheels are standard 17-inch steel, optional 17-inch, six-spoke aluminum. With the FJ Cruiser's standard 32-inch tires, ground clearance is a healthy 9.6 inches, 8.7 inches for 4x2. Approach and departure angles are 34 degrees/30 degrees for the 4x4 FJ Cruiser and 32/29 for the 4x2 version.
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