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

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]