For anyone who will note, yes this was borrowed from t4r...

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101581

"Toyota FJ to USA

After two years of study, Toyota will bring the FJ Cruiser to America this year. The production version of the rugged two-door SUV will be unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, a Toyota source said. The source said it will look "very close" to the concept FJ Cruiser that debuted at the 2003 Detroit auto show. It also will carry significant cues of the original circa-1960 FJ-40 Land Cruiser, down to the identical logo. It will be imported from Japan and go on sale this fall."



More pics




More info and articles
http://www.trucktrend.com/future/con..._0304_news_fj/
http://www.trucktrend.com/autoshows/...03/index8.html
http://www.wcpo.com/specials/2003/au...cars/1052.html
http://www.supercars.de/singlecar/157/449.html
http://www.mikecalverttoyota.com/Fut...ecalverttoyota

Some of the cool features:
All seats will be able to lower to make a long bed out of the truck, a luxery tent persay.
V6 3.4 4 speed with SC will be around 250 HP capable.
Built on the tacoma platform.
Available Fall 2005 for FJ Cruiser 2006 editions... so I hear.
Meant to be a more affordable alternative to the new 4runners and luxery SUVs on the market.
I don't know if stock, but the concept has two winches .

Lee:
"THE PRODUCTION VERSION HAS NOT BEEN UNVEILED. THE PICTURED VEHICLE IS THE CONCEPT. TOYOTA HAS INDICATED THAT THE PRODUCTION VERSION IS SOMEWHAT TONED DOWN TO INCORPORATE STYLING CUES FROM THE OLDER MODEL."
I heard though it was going to be very similar, you can forget about the Leggo tires and probably expect a more normal interior and changes here or there but besides that, I thought it was going to remain very similar. We'll see soon enough.


Me like.

 

total concept vehicle.. it will never get made..... just like the jeep crab thing with the 2 hemi engines

 

toyota just said they're going to release it... thats the whole article and links, I don't see how this is refutable...

 

I remember reading somewhere that the rav4 was going to be cut from the lineup soon. Maybe this is going to serve as a replacement. Does kinda sound like it's just getting parts from the 3rd gen though.

 

available fall of 2004


again, jeep hasnt gone soft, look at the 2 hemi crab

 

speaking of things that i thought were going to be cut from toyota's lineup. the mr2 anyone know if toyota is keeping it around?

 

sheer blasphemy. let the FJ name rest in peace.

 

Very different, I would bet the FJ will be on showroom floors in the next year or so. It has been a concept for a couple of years, they have consistently said it would be a 2006 model, released in fall of 2005, they appear to be on track to meet their timeline. It will be unveiled at the Chicago auto show in less than a month, then we will see what the doubters have to say. It has been on the Land Cruiser Heritage (a Toyota website) for ~6 months, referred to as the next in the line of Land Cruisers.

 

Doubt it will replace the RAV4 as the FJ is supposed to be body on frame, w/6cyl, transfer case, etc., it just does not match up with the fuel efficient car like RAV4.

 

I am guessing the final production model will actually be based on the newest Tacoma w/4.0 instead of 3.4, as well as the rest of the Prado platforms drivetrain.

 

it would be smarter to throw a bigger engine in it. If not its kind of like making a toyota version of xterra (old platform old engine). But hey it may sell well.

 

if it was 2005, it would have been released like 5 months ago

 

the 3.4 trd s/c making 250 horsepower?

where have i heard that before??

that will be an AWESOME truck.. cant wait to see it. i might actually go to the chicago auto show and see it in person.

 

that's pretty ugly looking. if they do decide to produce it, i sure hope they redesign that sheet metal. they tried to blend in too many different looks.

i do like that built in winch though.

 

how nice would it be if it came with a diesel option?

I'd like to own one like that...

 

Not my cup of tea, but it *could* grow on me. Not in that color though
And whats with those Lego-looking tires?

 

i think this year is the last production year for the mr2 and celica.

 

Yeah... I can't count years. I meant Fall 05 for 2006 editions...

 

Yes, a diesel would be the top selling feature.

 

to clarify:

THE PRODUCTION VERSION HAS NOT BEEN UNVEILED. THE PICTURED VEHICLE IS THE CONCEPT. TOYOTA HAS INDICATED THAT THE PRODUCTION VERSION IS SOMEWHAT TONED DOWN TO INCORPORATE STYLING CUES FROM THE OLDER MODEL.