The Toyota TJ Cruiser concept shown at the Tokyo motor show has been created to test reaction among the car-buying public to a lifestyle SUV with a rugged look and carrying capacity of a van, its designer has said.
The concept's striking look was created at Toyota's design facility in Tokyo, but design chief Hirokazu Ikuma has confirmed that the car is under evaluation for launch globally, including in Europe. If reaction is positive and it did reach production, it would likely be based on the next generation of Toyota’s TGNA platform, due to be launched around 2022.
The boxy shape of the TJ Cruiser is inspired by a rectangular tool chest and, to reflect this look, the interior is designed to be modular so that it can be adapted to carry passengers or luggage, while the body panels have been designed to be sufficiently rugged to withstand flexing or scratching if anything is balanced on the bonnet or roof. TJ stands for Toolbox Joy.
Although the car is a concept, engineers who worked on it say a petrol or hybrid powertrain is likely, should the TJ Cruiser make production, and that it is likely to be a four-wheel drive.
A final decision on whether the TJ Cruiser is launched into the booming SUV market will be made after the concept has undergone several customer clinics around the world.
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Honda did it right with the
Honda did it right with the Elemnt, this is just meh! What happened to little yellow rwd coupe they did a couple of years ago? I liked that.
Like it. No worse than the
Like it. No worse than the new Discovery. Better, in fact!
Mitsubishi already have one
2005 Tokyo show Mitsubishi debuted C5 Delica that led to D5 Delicia that looks similar - available now from your s/h Jap importer ....!