Photo: seanhadley.design
The number of enthusiasts who wonder if Toyota will deliver a rival for the 2021 Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler seems to be on the rise. Instead of waiting for an answer that may or may not come, independent designer Sean Hadley has decided to come up with a virtual replacement for the FJ Cruiser, which is portrayed in these renderings.
Dubbed Toyota FJ-E and envisioned as a 2030 model, this all-electric proposal was Hadley's graduation thesis for the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California (the pixel master is currently completing an internship at Ford, but this is another story for another time).
Keep in mind that while the FJ Cruiser body-on-frame mid-size SUV left American dealerships in 2014 and exited the Japanese market three years later, the retro-styled proposal is still offered on markets such as the Middle East, Chile, the Philippines, and South Africa.
Given the electrification trend and Toyota's push towards greener motoring, it would make sense for the company to develop an all-electric successor to the FJ Cruiser. However, with the current battery technology involving serious range limitations (range anxiety is particularly unpleasant for overlanding scenarios) and a considerable weight burden, the company might wait for a few years before introducing such a model.
As is the case with the FJ Cruiser, Hadley's FJ-E seeks inspiration in the J40 Land Cruiser of the 1960s.
As explained on the designer's website, the skateboard chassis protects the floor-mounted battery pack using a steel plate and rock sliders. We're looking at advanced tech (one electric motor for each wheel and fully independent suspension at both ends of the vehicle), with the aim to offer a superior driving experience on rugged terrain, as well as on the highway.
While the artist also experimented with various body lengths, the final design is the rather compact one seen here, which delivers a memorable appearance. Nevertheless, the proposal borrows the clamshell rear doors of the FJ Cruiser for ease of access.
If we zoom in on the creation, we'll notice plenty of details that add practicality. The list includes items such as bullbar with a winch, toe hooks, beadlock wheels for serious offroading, a roof rack, and removable panels (roof and door skins).
The frunk accommodates a pair of removable batteries that can provide electricity when camping or help owners who are out of juice. As for the trunk, its floor holds a tray that can be extended outside the vehicle.
Take a peek into the cabin and you'll notice the motifs used for the exterior can also be found here, with the hood that flows through the dash being an example as good as any. And the minimalist approach doesn't just serve an aesthetic purpose but also ensures the driver can keep his eyes on the surrounding terrain.
It's only reasonable to expect projects like this one to already be hidden inside Toyota's design labs and we're looking forward to seeing them reaching dealerships across the world.
Keep in mind that while the FJ Cruiser body-on-frame mid-size SUV left American dealerships in 2014 and exited the Japanese market three years later, the retro-styled proposal is still offered on markets such as the Middle East, Chile, the Philippines, and South Africa.
Given the electrification trend and Toyota's push towards greener motoring, it would make sense for the company to develop an all-electric successor to the FJ Cruiser. However, with the current battery technology involving serious range limitations (range anxiety is particularly unpleasant for overlanding scenarios) and a considerable weight burden, the company might wait for a few years before introducing such a model.
As is the case with the FJ Cruiser, Hadley's FJ-E seeks inspiration in the J40 Land Cruiser of the 1960s.
As explained on the designer's website, the skateboard chassis protects the floor-mounted battery pack using a steel plate and rock sliders. We're looking at advanced tech (one electric motor for each wheel and fully independent suspension at both ends of the vehicle), with the aim to offer a superior driving experience on rugged terrain, as well as on the highway.
While the artist also experimented with various body lengths, the final design is the rather compact one seen here, which delivers a memorable appearance. Nevertheless, the proposal borrows the clamshell rear doors of the FJ Cruiser for ease of access.
If we zoom in on the creation, we'll notice plenty of details that add practicality. The list includes items such as bullbar with a winch, toe hooks, beadlock wheels for serious offroading, a roof rack, and removable panels (roof and door skins).
The frunk accommodates a pair of removable batteries that can provide electricity when camping or help owners who are out of juice. As for the trunk, its floor holds a tray that can be extended outside the vehicle.
Take a peek into the cabin and you'll notice the motifs used for the exterior can also be found here, with the hood that flows through the dash being an example as good as any. And the minimalist approach doesn't just serve an aesthetic purpose but also ensures the driver can keep his eyes on the surrounding terrain.
It's only reasonable to expect projects like this one to already be hidden inside Toyota's design labs and we're looking forward to seeing them reaching dealerships across the world.
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