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Toyota FJ Cruiser: One and Done

May 10, 2019 by admin

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a unique sport utility vehicle, one that pays tribute to the Land Cruiser FJ40, a 1960s era off-road model. The FJ Cruiser, itself based on a modified version of the platform underpinning the previous generation Toyota 4Runner, enjoyed an eight-model-year run from 2007 through 2014. In ending its production Toyota kept its promise to make the FJ Cruiser a one-generation model and be done with it.



Toyota FJ Cruiser Overview

Toyota’s intent with the FJ Cruiser was to provide a limited production run, then cancel the vehicle. Toyota developed the FJ Cruiser “…as a basic, capable and affordable off-roader aimed specifically at serious off-roaders looking to push the limits.” It successfully achieved what it set out to do, finding its way into the hands of more than 200,000 U.S. owners across its eight-year lifespan. Many are in mint condition, fetching close to the price paid by the owners. Common and easily fixable problems include scraped bumpers, rock chip repair, and underbody cladding.

Throughout its product run, buyers could choose an FJ Cruiser with a rear-wheel 4×2 or part-time 4×4 layout or a full-time 4×4 layout. Its lone engine is a 4.0-liter 24-valve V-6, rated at 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 271 foot-pounds of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission was standard with all models except with the 4×4 edition. All 4×4 models were paired with a six-speed manual transmission standard or the automatic as an option.



Toyota FJ Cruiser Highlights

What distinguished the FJ Cruiser from the 4Runner was it shorter wheelbase and overall length. Its retro design, simple interior and generous trail handling capabilities were its chief attributes. On the other hand, the Toyota FJ Cruiser was noisy inside, hard to maneuver, with access to the cramped rear seat compartment difficult. Where off-road purists opted for the FJ Cruiser, enthusiasts with families chose the 4Runner.

Important characteristics of the FJ Cruiser included its squared-off shape, enhanced by a two-tone exterior featuring a color-keyed body with a white rooftop. Underbody skid plates, a high ground clearance, and frame rail protected components made this model wholly suited to climb rocks, cross streams and take on mud sloughs.

Toyota outfitted the FJ Cruiser with 17-inch off-road tires and included a rear door-mounted full-size spare tire. Other exterior features included silver painted rear view mirrors, a rear liftgate glass window, halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, black bumpers, power outside mirrors, and an automatic dimming rearview mirror with an integrated backup camera.

Inside, every FJ Cruiser was equipped with air conditioning, water-resistant fabric-trimmed seats, a tilt steering wheel, analog instrument meters, a digital clock, map lights, in-door map pockets, four cup-holders, two bottle holders, all-weather flooring, and a 60/40 tumble/removable rear bench seat.



Swan Song Special Edition

To mark the FJ Cruiser’s final year of production, Toyota introduced an FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition at the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. It represents a commemorative final edition, limited production model with no more than 2,500 units built. This model draws close to the Land Cruiser FJ40 by offering a special white grille paint-surround and a “Heritage Blue” paint scheme that is derived from the earlier model’s look.

The Toyota Racing Development (TRD) was unleashed to modify the final FJ Cruiser with a new suspension system featuring Bilstein shock absorbers for improved handling and control. Other updates included a new skid plate for improved underbody protection and approach, 16-inch bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich A/T KO tires, rock rails and roof rack. The special edition, available only as a 4×4, also provided active traction control, crawl control, vehicle skid control with an off switch, and a locking rear differential.

Toyota’s rich history of SUV building has been punctuated by the FJ Cruiser, a model that effectively demonstrated to a new generation the company’s off-road capabilities. It’s an SUV that is destined for collector status, one of the few true off-road SUVs of the 21st century.


Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Classics & Discontinued Models Tagged With: four-wheel drive, off-road, SEMA, SUV, Toyota, TOYOTA 4RUNNER, TOYOTA FJ CRUISER, TRD

SEMA Shock Yellow Chevy Camaro Dazzles

October 16, 2018 by admin 1 Comment

There is yellow and then there is Shock Yellow.

SEMA 2019 Chevy Camaro
When your “yellow” is brighter than the center stripe, this is what you get.

We’re still two weeks away from the start of the 2018 SEMA Show, which has become the definitive auto show for all things wild and crazy. Just like its host city, Las Vegas.

Automotive manufacturers routinely roll out one or more special models at SEMA, capitalizing on the massive media attention this event supplies. SEMA isn’t open to the public, but thousands of journalists give it ample coverage, so its almost like you are there.

Shocking 2019 Chevrolet Camaro

GM isn’t waiting for the show to start to tease us with one very special version of the 2019 Chevy Camaro. The Shock yellow exterior color lives up to its name, a can’t miss model that also includes several concept touches.

Those touches include a relocated bow time emblem along with hood and fender graphics.

2019 Chevy Camaro

Joining this special model (which will be available in early 2019) is a personalized Camaro LT convertible. The convertible will be shown in Satin Steel Grey Metallic and feature concept red accents and other accessories. Chevrolet will showcase more than a dozen models in total at this year’s show.

The dazzling Camaro coincides with a fresh look Chevrolet gave to the 2019 Camaro. Explained Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet Car and Crossover Marketing. “It’s the perfect canvas for personalization, and the new Shock color and available accessories demonstrate only some of the possibilities customers have to make the Camaro entirely theirs.”

New Accessories and Performance Parts

The expanded roster of Chevrolet accessories and performance parts were developed by the same designers and engineers who created the Camaro, in an effort to supply coherent design and performance unification.

You’ll find such features as all-new ground effects, a black wing spoiler, a fuel door with exposed carbon-fiber insert, black Camaro fender badges, 50-state-legal cold-air induction kits, Recaro seats, a Brembo six-piston front brake upgrade kit and various 1LE suspension components.

2018 Chevy Camaro

Refreshed Chevy Camaro

The 2019 Camaro refresh features new front-end styling on some models, including the fascia, grille, hood and lighting. The lighting upgrades include dual-element headlamps and new LED signature lighting. The ZL1 trim returns with its airflow optimized front-end styling, while the RS Package provides its own unique headlamps and signature lights.

From the rear, the 2019 Camaro gains new tail lamps with a dual-element design. Red lenses are found on the LS and LT trims, with the RS, SS and ZL1 decked in dark-tinted clear lenses.

Additional changes for 2019 include a new Turbo 1LE model. The Camaro SS now offers a 10-speed automatic transmission with pads shifters, launch control and line lock. Updated wheel designs, the latest in Chevrolet infotainment, an available full-display rearview camera and available forward collision alert round out the changes.

2019 Chevrolet Camaro Shock Yellow SEMA

2018 SEMA Show

Auto Trends won’t have a direct presence in Las Vegas this year, but we’ll share highlights and special takes about the 2018 SEMA Show. Word has it that several flamboyant models are on tap, but that’s par for the course in a city that is known for its glitziness.


See Also — Sixth Generation Chevrolet Camaro Pulls Out All Stops

Photos copyright GM Corp. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Auto Shows Tagged With: 2019 Camaro, AUTO SHOW, CHEVROLET CAMARO, Chevy, convertible, LAS VEGAS, SEMA, Shock Yellow

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