Toyota has revived the historic FJ model name for the long-awaited baby version of its Land Cruiser 4x4, revealed today in production form ahead of a launch in Japan next year.
The Land Rover Defender 90-sized off-roader has been created as a new entry into the Land Cruiser range and has been designed to open it up to a wider range of buyers and a “new generation” of customers, Simon Humphries, Toyota’s chief branding officer, said at the unveiling on Monday evening.
The Land Cruiser FJ (now standing for 'Freedom and Joy') is based on the same platform as the larger Land Cruiser 250 Series that was launched last year – currently the only variant sold in the UK – but its wheelbase is 270mm shorter.
This leaves it at 4575mm long, 1855mm wide and 1960mm tall – a close match for the Defender 90.
Despite the chopped footprint, the FJ is still a capable machine. Full specifications have yet to be revealed, but Toyota says it has a similar ground clearance and approach angle to the 250 – 215.3mm and 31deg – while offering a claimed turning radius of just 5.5m.
Humphries said the FJ offers “a minimal footprint with a new dimension in driving performance and manoeuvrability”.
Power comes from a 2.7-litre petrol four that puts out 161bhp and 181lb ft of torque. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The FJ has been designed to be lean but strong, said Toyota, with flared bumpers and wheel arches showing off a “powerful sense of stability”.
Customisation is a key selling point, with both the front and rear bumpers able to be removed and replaced – which also helps aid quick repairs. Other customisation options include round headlights, cargo panels and an engine intake snorkel.
Inside, the FJ mirrors the 250 with a functional cabin. This features a 12.5in infotainment touchscreen that's flanked by an array of physical buttons and switches for the main controls.
Humphries said: “Two years ago, we launched the Land Cruiser 250, going back to the origin to redefine the Land Cruiser. At the end of that presentation, we promised the 250 was just the beginning.
“From the early days, Land Cruiser has been a family, with the 250 at the centre, 300 at the peak and 70 as the workhorse. Now there is a new addition to the family.”
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That is not pretty! And the wheels are too small.
Defender 90 rival, nope. It's a 5 door and it's nearer in length to the 5 door Defender 110 than the 3 door 90, because they took the cheap development 'chop' option.
Will be more expensive to buy and that underpowered petrol engine will have a mpg figure in the high teens.