Jump to content
Create New...

2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Toyota Tj Cruiser Concept Combines Minivan With SUV


Recommended Posts


The Tokyo Motor Show is full of oddities and strange vehicles. Case in point is the Toyota Tj Cruiser concept which blends the qualities of a minivan with the shape and capability of an SUV.

Toyota says the 'T' in Tj Cruiser stands for toolbox and it certainly looks like one. With slab sides and sharp angles, all that is missing is a grab handle. Various design touches such as a diamond steel-plate pattern for the grille and panels covered in bed-liner material gives the impression of toughness. A set of sliding doors and wide cargo hatch opening provides easy access to the cargo.

The interior follows the same design ideas as the exterior with straight lines and a pegboard design for the door panels. All seats except the driver's fold completely flat to provide maximum cargo space. The seat backs feature the bed-liner material as the exterior and tie-downs.

Toyota seems to be hinting that they could make this concept a production model. In their press release, the automaker says it would use the TGNA platform that underpins the Prius and C-HR. Power would come from a hybrid system with a 2.0L engine, and feature the choice of front or all-wheel drive.

Source: Toyota
Press Release is on Page 2


Toyota to Premiere Tj CRUISER at Tokyo Motor Show 2017

  • The birth of a new van and SUV fusion genre aimed at drivers with active lifestyles

Toyota City, October 6, 2017―Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) intends to showcase its new crossover genre concept vehicle, the Tj CRUISER, for the first time at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show 2017* to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 25 through November 5. The Tj CRUISER represents the harmonious balance between the roominess of a cargo van and the powerful design of an SUV.

The Tj CRUISER was designed for drivers with lifestyles where work and play dovetail seamlessly. The "T" in Tj CRUISER stands for "Toolbox" in reference to how the car can be used like a toolbox, while the "j" stands for "joy" in reference to the joy of visiting various places by car. The name "CRUISER," which is traditionally used for Toyota's SUV lineup, is assigned to the Tj CRUISER to express the power of the vehicle. Inside, the passenger seat can be reclined completely flat, and not only can the Tj CRUISER easily hold outdoor equipment, it can also store large items such as 3-meter long surfboards and bikes.

Design

  • The square-shaped cabin, similar to that of a van, exudes high utility. Meanwhile, the sturdy suspension realized by large SUV-sized tires is fused with a bold front. The Tj CRUISER symbolizes a new genre incorporating the strengths of a van with those of an SUV.
  • The hood, roof, and fenders use materials (with special coating) that resist scratches and dirt, even when objects accidentally come into contact with them.

Interior Space

  • The front and rear passenger seats can be reclined completely flat for storing long items up to 3 meters in length such as surfboards.
  • The backs of the seats and deck boards include numerous tie-down points to enable easy anchoring of items from small packages to longer objects. Moreover, the large opening of the back door makes for easy loading and unloading of large items such as bikes.
  • The seat cushion on the passenger seat directly behind the driver can be flipped up towards the front to create dedicated space for storing groceries or shopping items.
  • The large openings of the sliding doors enable loading and unloading of large items from the sides and easy entry and exit for family members, as well.

Other Features

  • Use of the next-generation TNGA platform expected
  • The unit to run on a 2.0-liter class engine + hybrid system
  • Front-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive system to be used
 
Main Specifications
Name Length
(mm)
Width
(mm)
Height
(mm)
Wheelbase
(mm)
Seating
(occupants)
Tj CRUISER 4,300 1,775 1,620 2,750 4
 

View full article

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Toyota took the easy way and quickly built an EV Van. Inner City Service companies should love this as well as gov agencies and families that need seats but not allot of miles.

Cool, GM would be wise to build SURUS as an EV platform and get some vans in production.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, Frisky Dingo said:

I really dig that. The kind of funkiness Scion would have come up with in it's early days.

Looks a lot like what a larger first-generation Scion xB would have become.  I guess taking on the size of a Ford Flex and making it a Toyota sounded like a great idea to them.  Perhaps it will sell here once brought here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search

Change privacy settings