FT-AC Concept May Hint at Toyota's Future SUV Strategy

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

Toyota pulled the wraps off its FT-AC Concept at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show today.

Its full name is Future Toyota Adventure Concept, but whatever you call it, this concept is ready for trail duty. Or at least, it looks the part.

As per usual with concepts, details on specs are light. The press release mentions 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, fog lamps, LED headlights, infrared cameras mounted on the mirrors that can record off-road driving exploits and in-car Wi-Fi that can be used to broadcast the footage. There’s also a roof rack with rear-facing LED lights that can be controlled from the cabin, and a hideaway integrated bike rack.

Toyota’s release says the FT-AC is just a design study, but it would have all-wheel drive with four-wheel lock capability. It could be powered by either a gasoline engine or a hybrid powertrain.

Speculation time: If Toyota is planning on building this, or does so as a result of positive reaction at auto shows, it could very well replace the 4Runner (it could also, of course, be a possible design study for the next 4Runner). Or it could slot just below the 4Runner in size – it appears to be somewhat shorter in pictures.

Regardless, I wouldn’t be shocked if something like this makes production with toned-down looks and a combination of available powertrains – say gas and hybrid versions and maybe even a diesel? I’d hope for a manual transmission version, too.

This could be Toyota’s answer to the upcoming Ford Bronco, the next-gen Jeep Wrangler, the re-born Land Rover Defender that’s under development, and to a lesser extent, Subaru’s Crosstrek wagon and the Jeep Renegade/Jeep Compass. Toyota has an off-road heritage, and this may be the next step in maintaining that reputation.

Don’t let “design study” fool you – this thing is likely getting built, at least if the market for crossovers remains hot.

[Images: Toyota]

Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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  • Ttacgreg Ttacgreg on Dec 01, 2017

    I see lots of (the very successful) Subie Crosstrak influence here.

  • Scott25 Scott25 on Dec 02, 2017

    Just lift the iM, put in the 86 Motor, add a spare tire on the tailgate, get rid of the CVT and boom you have a customer. I’d be happier without the lift and tire but that’s too much to ask for....and while I’m dreaming just build the iM on the 86 platform, Toyota. RWD fun to drive 5 (or 3) door hatchback...sigh..

  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
  • Tassos Jong-iL Communist America Rises!
  • Merc190 A CB7 Accord with the 5 cylinder
  • MRF 95 T-Bird Daihatsu Copen- A fun Kei sized roadster. Equipped with a 660cc three, a five speed manual and a retractable roof it’s all you need. Subaru Levorg wagon-because not everyone needs a lifted Outback.
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