Sick of soft-roaders? Well, a Toyota executive has hinted that the Japanese brand is keen to build a new “authentic” off-road SUV that’s a little smaller than the FJ Cruiser.
Speaking to Motor Trend, Toyota Motor North America CEO Jim Lentz said that there was space alongside the RAV4 for a short-wheelbase SUV with proper off-road credentials.
“There’s room for an authentic small off-road SUV,” Lentz told the US publication, adding that “we’re getting a lot of requests from folks who want another FJ or some variant”.
Of course, Toyota last year revealed both the FT-4X and the FT-AC concepts (although the former runs on the same platform as the C-HR, rather than a body-on-frame setup). And Lentz said that these show cars were “along the lines” of a new four-wheel-drive vehicle Toyota would like to add to its range.
“There is room on the lower end, in terms of price or authenticity, for an off-road, frame-based SUV,” Lentz explained.
“This would be for people going outdoors, but truly going off-road. This would not be all-wheel drive for safety, this would be four-wheel drive with ground clearance.”
“This could be FJ-sized, but for an enthusiast, it has to be something with a small wheelbase to be more manoeuvrable when in the rocks.”
