Toyota is reportedly in the process of developing an SUV utilizing the IMV 0 platform, which is known for its use in the recently introduced affordable Hilux Champ truck across Asia.
Autocar India suggests that this forthcoming SUV might adopt the iconic FJ Cruiser moniker, signaling the potential revival of this revered nameplate following its official discontinuation last year.
At the Tokyo Mobility Show, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific’s Hao Quoc Tien hinted at the project, indicating that the IMV 0 platform extends beyond pickup trucks with an SUV currently under development. Tien remarked, “That is a different project, and we are cooking something right now.”
Serving as a spiritual successor, the envisioned FJ Cruiser is projected to be marginally smaller than the Toyota Fortuner, a midsize ladder-frame SUV. Unlike the larger US-spec Land Cruiser, the Fortuner shares the same IMV platform, which is also utilized in the Hilux Champ and Innova MPV.
While retaining the wheelbase of the Fortuner and Innova, the speculated SUV is anticipated to feature a distinctive boxy, rugged exterior design.
Contrary to the utilitarian interior of the Hilux Champ, the FJ Cruiser is rumored to boast an upscale cabin crafted from premium materials, offering seating configurations with two or three rows.
Speculation surrounding the potential return of the FJ Cruiser isn’t new. Last year, a trademark filing for the Land Cruiser FJ name emerged, hinting at a potential revival. Toyota revealed the FJ Cruiser EV Concept in 2022, suggesting the possibility of an electric variant.
With the IMV 0 platform’s adaptability, Toyota aims to capitalize on its investment by expanding its portfolio of vehicles built on this ladder-frame platform. However, uncertainties persist, particularly regarding the FJ Cruiser’s availability in the US market, potentially positioned below the Land Cruiser.
The anticipated launch timeline for the IMV 0-based SUV is by the end of the year, although specifics remain subject to confirmation as developments unfold.
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