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Toyota Unveils FTX Full-Size Pickup Concept At
2004 North American International Auto Show
01/04/2004 Detroit, MI
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Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., unveiled the
FTX full-size pickup truck concept at a press conference today at the
2004 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
"The FTX concept was developed to make a bold
statement about Toyota's future full-size pickup truck plans," said
Jim Press, TMS executive vice president and COO. "It is a statement
that promises the brute-power to match its bold styling and ample
proportions. And it's a statement we mean to back up."
The FTX concept was developed by the TMS Advanced
Product Strategy Group and Calty, Toyota's North American-based,
research and design center located in Newport Beach, Calif. The truck
was designed to provide a hint to the direction in size and styling of
future Toyota full-size pickups. The team was assigned to explore the
future possibilities of Toyota truck DNA by developing a truck concept
with a double-duty personality and a trace of Land Cruiser heritage
that advances the mainstream American truck to the next level.
"Toyota has a strong heritage of building trucks
that are rugged, yet playful," said Kevin Hunter, Calty vice
president. "This image is especially strong in the U.S., thanks to the
FJ Land Cruiser in the 60's and 70's and the phenomenally successful
Toyota compact pickup in the 80's and 90's. Our goal with the FTX was
to capture the spirit and soul of this legacy and reassert Toyota's
truck brand image with a full-size pickup aimed at the very core of
the segment."
At nearly 19-feet in length, nearly seven feet in
width, and six-and-one-half feet in height, the FTX offers ample
proportions. The FTX is a full-fledged body-on-frame, "Super-C-Cab"
4x4 pickup truck. It has the interior room of a double cab, yet opens
90 degrees with suicide doors.
Stylistically, the FTX features a huge sculptural
power-ball that emanates from the rear wheels and visually pushes
the truck forward. The massive front end is proud and serious and
integrates into the body-side, creating a unified statement of
power. The generous use of sculpture in the body gives a rich
high-quality feel that elevates the FTX beyond a mere work truck.
Massive metal extruded bumpers and rocker panels add an element of
toughness and durability.
The FTX was developed to raise the idea of
functionality to a new level by including a surprising array of
sensible features aimed at both work and play. Exterior features
include bumpers with integrated tow hooks and special hideaway
universal carabiner-type tie-down hooks in the truck bed. Underneath
the rear skid-plate is a multi-functional unit that houses an electric
generator, an air compressor and other outlets. Inside the bed is a
solid metal collapsible hidden job box that can be erected for safe
storage of tools and supplies. Finally, hidden away in the rear
tailgate is a smooth operating hideaway ramp that extends to the
ground when the gate is open, allowing heavy items to be rolled into
the bed, instead of being lifted.
"The FTX interior is a work station, a sports
locker, or just a sanctuary from the elements," said Craig Kember,
Calty senior designer. "Most of all it's an interior that prioritizes
the needs, and wants of full-size truck buyers."
The interior displays a pure fusion of brawny
structure, luxurious materials, and new technology specific to a big
truck. The instrument panel and center console arch bend outward,
wrapping around each occupant, forming two protective cells.
A wide center console separates at a large center
display panel. The console contains an armrest-mounted control-arm
that includes all instrumentation and an operational lever that is
angled toward the driver, in effect, creating an operator station.
The seat height and steering wheel angle of the FTX
are positioned extremely high, giving the driver a feeling of total
command and conveying the feel of operating a big rig. Suspension
seats isolate the driver and passenger from rough terrain and include
deep center pads styled after a horseman's saddle for comfort.
Low-effort control switches and minimal operational levers are the key
to operational simplicity. All vital information is accessed through a
central display 3-D screen.
Floating, foldaway rear seats are styled after
recreational boats. The rear seat base is affixed to a center beam,
suspending the seats off the floor for under-seat storage. Over-sized
door and pillar pull handles and seat mounted grips assist in ingress
and egress. A large overhead track lamp can be pulled down and slide
side-to-side across the cabin.
The brawniness of the FTX is complemented with a
powerplant that is more than capable of hauling a heavy-duty pickup.
Under the hood, the FTX is powered by a large-displacement V8 hybrid
gas-electric engine that pumps out loads of torque while delivering V6
fuel efficiency.
The unveiling of the FTX truck concept comes on the
heels of the recent launch of the Tundra Double Cab. The Double Cab is
the latest addition of the American-built Tundra full-size pickup.
Taller and wider than both Tundra Regular- and Access Cab models, the
new Double Cab combines the interior roominess and appointments of the
Toyota Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle. And, the cargo bed is
longer, and has more capacity, than the Ford F150 and Nissan Titan.
Tundra is currently built at Toyota Motor
Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI). Production of the Tundra will expand in
mid-2006 with the opening of a new pickup plant in the heart of truck
country, San Antonio, Texas.
"The recent launch of the Tundra Double Cab and the
new FTX concept offers a good indication to how Toyota's large truck
evolution is progressing," said Press. "And make no mistake about it.
With our expansion in San Antonio, we are on a serious mission to
build big truck market share."
Toyota FTX Concept Pickup truck Preliminary
Specifications
POWERTRAIN
V8 Hybrid Gas-Electric Engine
DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 228.0
Overall Width: 82.5
Overall Height: 77.2
Wheelbase: 149.8
Bed Length: 84.0
Tire Size: 355/55 R22
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