We reported earlier that Toyota will introduce the new & most affordable mini Land Cruiser. It was rumoured to be called the Land Hopper, but it wasn’t the case as it turned out to be a three-wheeled electric mobility concept (debuted at Japan Mobility Show 2023). It is now reported that Toyota has trademarked the “Land Cruiser FJ” name, which could be the name of the brand’s baby off-roader.
Toyota submitted the application on October 27 in Class 12, which is reserved for “vehicles”. In August, Toyota had unveiled the 2024 Land Cruiser 250 (also known as Land Cruiser Prado in other markets). At the event, the company had teased two mysterious SUVs and one of them turned out to be the electric Land Cruiser concept that debuted at the Japan Mobility Show. The other model had the tailgate mounted spare wheel, which is rumoured to be the baby Land Cruiser.
The latest trademark and the teaser of the baby LC hints at the revival of the FJ Cruiser. The FJ Cruiser was discontinued from the American markets in 2014 and was in production for global markets for good 17 years. It is expected that the FJ Cruiser will join the Land Cruiser 250 and 300 models. Adding to it, an electric derivative of the Land Cruiser will also be introduced.
The new Cruiser FJ will have a boxy design and massive body cladding. In terms of proportions, the new compact LC will be around 4.35 meters that makes it similar to the Corolla Cross. The new mini Land Cruiser FJ will be offered with both internal combustion and hybrid powertrains. It is expected to share the powertrains from globally popular Toyota models including the Corolla Cross, RAV4 and the Prius. The new off-roader SUV could be offered with an electric powertrain at a later stage.
Source – Motor1
