Looks like the Toyota Land Cruiser is about to become its smallest it has been in years with an entry-level model tipped to be called the Land Cruiser FJ – and it may arrive sooner than you think. Japanese publication Mag-X has said that the car, despite not featuring in earlier teasers for the Japan Mobility Show (JMS) at the end of the month, is expected to be shown off to select local media on October 20.
The actual world premiere will occur the next day at 5am local time (4am here). This extremely early hour suggests that the FJ’s reveal is being targeted at its expected main markets, such as Australia (7am) or the UK (9pm). There’s even bigger news for the ASEAN region in particular, because unlike other Land Cruisers, the FJ will be built not in Japan, but in Thailand.
That’s right – the new baby Land Cruiser will be built up north, likely twinned with the also-new Hilux set to be unveiled at the Thai Motor Expo next month. This means that we could very well see the first LC to be brought into Malaysia through official channels in decades.
The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ being teased (top left) in 2023
A recently-surfaced patent filed in the Philippines shows a small off-roader with angular chunky styling, an upright glasshouse, a black mask integrating the headlights and C-shaped daytime running lights, thick C-pillars and an external spare tyre. This fits with the teaser shown during the Japanese launch of the Land Cruiser Prado in 2023.
Expect the FJ to receive the same engines as the Hilux, including the existing 2GD-FTV 2.4 litre and 1GD-FTV 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engines. Also set to be fitted are a 48-volt mild hybrid system and electric power steering to enable Level 2 semi-autonomous driving.
The FJ name, which references the iconic FJ40-series Land Cruiser, was last used on the retro-styled FJ Cruiser from 2006 to 2022. We never got the car officially, although grey imports were common.
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