Potential FJ Cruiser Replacement Teased for New York

Four words. That’s the extent of the details dropped by Toyota today, along with a picture that displays not quite an entire wheel. Perhaps the automaker should take a page from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and release 397 feature-length films about each of the mystery vehicle’s components.

The four words and one picture depict the upcoming FT-4X, a Toyota concept bound for a New York Auto Show unveiling on April 12. From the few clues we have, this concept — in Toyotaland, “FT” prefixes mean “future Toyota” — should boast some measure of off-roading bona fides, possibly enough to make Jeep worried.

“Four wheeling. Scene stealing.”

That’s apparently all Toyota wants us to know about the mysterious beast, which saw its name trademarked back in October. That, and the 225/55 18-inch Goodyear rubber, itself sporting an aggressive, chunky tread pattern. Will this future Toyota venture where no RAV4, C-HR or Highlander would dare tread?

Perhaps, if it is indeed the successor to the defunct FJ Cruiser. “4X” certainly implies four-wheel traction, as well as an off-road presence. The image, such as it is, shows a very short front overhang and room above the wheel for plenty of suspension travel. Toyota’s tease suggests that the design, of which we can see so little here, might be more daring than we’re used to from this particular automaker.

The FJ Cruiser was something of a bruiser — big, powerful, thirsty, and sporting altogether unique (if not retro) styling. It’s unlikely we’ll see a close copy of that model, which ran its course in 2014. To tackle Jeep, and perhaps Ford’s soon-to-be-reborn Bronco, Toyota needs something in the compact-to-midsize range, ideally with some fuel efficiency on its side.

We’ll know more about this intriguing model-to-be in two weeks.

[Image: Toyota Motor Corporation]