Toyota FT-AC (Future Toyota Adventure Concept) is a hardcore 4×4 off-roader exclusively for North America
Toyota teased a brand new concept for the United Stated market a while ago and it got us wondering what it really would be. Amidst much curiosity, cloaks have been lifted off the concept at the ongoing Los Angeles Auto Show and our first impression is a big thumbs up. Dubbed the FT-AC, which abbreviates to Future Toyota Adventure Concept, it is a radical SUV as we expected with severe off-roading credentials.
The hardcore off-roader concept could become the next big thing from the Japanese auto major and who knows if the crowd’s response in LA turns out to be positive, we could see a production version being rolled out in the near future. It is indeed an evolution of the FT-4X concept but in a compact package.
The Future Toyota Adventure Concept nomenclature definitely hinted at either an off-road based SUV and it could be exclusively limited to the North American market if production is planned. The FT-AC concept will not be showcased in Europe as of for now speculatively. But, the edgy design is so good that we would like to see it running on public roads.
The significant features flaunted are obviously the LED clusters positioned below the headlamps, big off-road tyres, roof rack with LED lamps, chunky fenders, front and rear recovery skid plates, recovery hooks, etc. Standing true to its name, the wheel arches are prominent and large as they project out from the sides.
With a wide track, good ground clearance and a menacing stance, the FT-AC is imagined having a petrol engine with all-wheel-drive capability and torque vectoring technology. As for the powertrain, we do not know any concrete details yet.
The FT-AC has been accompanied by the brand’s luxury arm, Lexus, as a seven-seat RX L has also debuted. Toyota has certainly been keen on introducing new compact crossovers and resultantly showcased the FT-4X concept and TJ Cruiser at the New York and Tokyo motor shows respectively.
As they are based on the TNGA global architecture, the FT-AC Concept is no different. It features an all-wheel drive system controlled by variable terrain-response settings and it locks the torque split for maximum tractability. Despite being a concept, the FT-AC is conventional.
For instance, it has integrated bike rack at the rear and does look production ready unlike the FT-4X and the TJ Cruiser. Stripping all its off-roading elements, there is a definitive styling hiding underneath that could be utilised for its future small vehicles like budget crossovers in our humble opinion.
Toyota FT-AC Concept Images
