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2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

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Years ago Toyota held the rights to Japans only Jeep-like all terrain vehicle known as the FJ40 or Landcruiser. This precursor to the trademark name that defines luxurious SUV held fast until its demise in 1983 when the FJ40 turned officially into the Landcruiser and aimed to take on the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. This incarnation of the landcruiser lasted until 1990 when it was redesigned as the top of the line sport utilty vehicle in a market that was thriving. Again in 1997 the Landcruiser was redesigned to its current platform shared with the Lexus LX470.

Along the way the FJ40 evolved from an outback all terrain vehicle into a plush luxury ride. In mid 2006, Toyota aims to take back lost ground and bring an all new vehicle in to fill the void and take tarket at the sporty youthful market it once had. Its targets include the new Hummer H3, the Jeep Wrangler and Commander, the Nissan Xterra and others. This stunning new design even resembles the high end Hummer H2 with an even more evolved exterior designed to turn heads.

The FJ Cruiser concept was initiated and developed jointly by Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., and Calty Design Research, Toyota's North American design center in Newport Beach, Calif. The FJ Cruiser was developed as a basic, capable and affordable off-roader aimed to explore new possibilities for a next-generation SUV aimed specifically at young buyers with active outdoor lifestyles. Power is supplied by a 3.4-liter V6 engine equipped with a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger that creates 250-horsepower. The engine is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive with low range. The FJ Cruiser rides on a modified Tacoma pickup platform and is equipped with rear coil-over long travel suspension, 20-inch wheels and 33-inch tires, and a TRD cat-back exhaust.

Utility features include spotlights on both outside mirrors, an asymmetrical front spotlight, and a front-end towing winch. The rear glass panel is a two-piece unit that retracts into the roof and the rear hatch for easy access to the rear cargo area. Easy rear passenger entry into the two-door SUV is achieved with rear access doors. All front and rear seats fold completely flat creating ample cargo space and maximum usability. With no gaps and a durable floor covering, the FJ Cruiser can be converted into a utility deck large enough for two people in their sleeping bags.

The FJ's wacky appearance is definitely more arresting than its competitors'. Deliberate styling cues from the first-generation Land Cruiser in-clude round headlights with an integrated grille, the upright windshield, the white-cap roof, and wraparound rear glass. An unlikely childhood friend of senior creative designer Jin Won Kim also influenced the FJ's development. "I had a pit bull when I was growing up," says Kim. "I've been inspired by the stance of the pit bull when it's about to attack-it's got that forward-leaning gesture and a really strong stance." It's also a novel refutation to the suggestion that Toyota is merely jumping on the recent retro-styling bandwagon.

"The original FJ40 had this kind of really funky balance. It was the charm of the design that made it. But we really didn't want to push this one to the retro side. We're playing it off of the heritage and spirit of the FJ40," says Kim, who designed the original FJ Cruiser concept and the 2004 Lexus LF-C concept car. "The Volkswagen New Beetle, the Ford Thunderbird, and the Ford GT, for example, are definitely more on the retro side. To me, those are basically the same car as the originals, with the same proportions and balance, but with a more modern sheetmetal cover. With this car, we took some of the design cues, but we didn't take the whole proportion of the vehicle. It's not just a basic evolution of the design."

Check Back For Updates on 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser Parts and Accessories

Key Specifications:

Pricing: Est $20,000- $26,000 USD

Goes on sale early 2006

Click Here to Download Toyota FJ Cruiser Specs and Key Features PDF

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