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TOYOTA: New Land Cruiser FJ: Freedom, joy, and uncompromising off-roading

TOYOTA: New Land Cruiser FJ: Freedom, joy, and uncompromising off-roading

This is the case with the new Land Cruiser FJ, called upon to carry on the legacy of a history that began in 1951 with the Toyota BJ, the first vehicle to ascend Mount Fuji's sixth station. Over seven decades, the Land Cruiser has become a synonym for reliability, durability, and off-road performance: approximately 12.15 million units in over 190 countries convey a simple promise: go anywhere and come back. Now, with the FJ, that promise is opened to an even wider audience, placing "Freedom & Joy" at its core: freedom and the joy of use, without denying its technical DNA.

In 2026, the Land Cruiser family will have four distinct facets. Alongside the flagship Station Wagon (now the 300 Series), the heavy-duty 70 Series, and the 250 Series, the "back to basics" Land Cruiser introduced in 2024 is the Land Cruiser FJ, designed to offer the same essence with a more agile and accessible character. Toyota will preview it at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, from October 30 to November 9, transforming the stand into a window into the brand's future.

The design is a statement of intent. The new FJ echoes the lineage's signature boxy cabin, with taut proportions and clean surfaces that prioritize roominess and cargo capacity. The rectangular, lean body uses rounded edges to convey solidity without weighing it down. Front and rear, segmented, removable bumpers aren't just an aesthetic quirk: they improve repairability and open up customization. Round headlights return, a direct reference to historic Land Cruisers, while the flared fenders and planted stance reveal that this isn't just a stylistic exercise, but a true off-roader.

Inside, the focus is on functionality. The horizontal dashboard helps you perceive the vehicle's handling in all conditions; the monitor and switches are grouped together to reduce eye movement; the gear knob is where your hands should go when the terrain gets tricky. The low hood and dashboard improve forward visibility, while the reduced window belt allows you to better read the road surface even on rough surfaces. Active safety is ensured by Toyota Safety Sense, with the latest prevention and driving assistance features, in line with a philosophy that puts peace of mind at the heart of the experience.

The technical substance comes from the advanced IMV platform, optimized to ensure ground clearance, characteristic angles, and suspension articulation that, Toyota emphasizes, is equivalent to the 70 Series. The wheelbase, 270 mm shorter than the 250 Series, translates into tangible handling: a minimum turning radius of 5.5 m, useful both off-road and on tight mountain bends. Reinforcement braces are located under the floor; the increased rigidity of the body makes handling more stable, while the extensive and targeted off-road testing campaign identified and resolved critical points before launch. It's the grammar of durability: test, correct, test again.

Then there's a chapter that speaks the language of the community: customization. The Land Cruiser FJ comes with a series of options designed to enhance the user experience throughout the model's entire life cycle (with availability varying by region). From internal MOLLE panels for securing gear and modulating storage, to outdoor accessories that make the vehicle a complete travel companion, every choice remains consistent with the idea of ​​a 4x4 that must "take you further," without gimmicks. This is where the homage to the past connects with the present: robust yet functional aesthetics; "just right" details, but with a real-world application logic.

Toyota is also looking beyond the vehicle. In parallel, it is developing the Land Hopper, an electric personal mobility vehicle designed for people and light peak loads: a companion you can stow in the trunk and use where the road ends, on unpaved trails, through woods and mountains. It's not a whim, it's a travel concept that extends the range of experiences: from daily commutes to slow tourism, from the desire to explore to the routes that the Land Cruiser FJ prepares and the Land Hopper completes.

The challenge, ultimately, is this: to restore the Land Cruiser to its original utility value—a simple and robust vehicle with the right technology for today. The FJ name isn't nostalgia, it's a compass. Freedom to move and the joy of doing so your own way, with the tools you really need. While we await market specifications and range details, the preview at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show clarifies the direction: style steeped in history, engineering that speaks to the future, and an off-road vehicle that doesn't need to shout about itself.

Affari Italiani

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