Toyota FTX
This has to be the Year of the Pick-Up Truck – in the USA at least. The country is where you find the largest number of pick-ups in the world and for years, this segment has been the one which the Big Three have been able to dominate. But that may change soon if the truck concepts shown by Japanese manufacturers at the North American International Motor Show this week are any indication.
Leading the charge is Toyota with the FTX, a full-size pick-up truck concept which is believed to be the basis for the successor of its Tundra currently on sale. 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 California.
The truck was designed to provide a hint to the direction in size and styling of future Toyota full-size pick-ups. 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 1960s and 1970s and the phenomenally successful Toyota compact pick-up in the 1980s and 1990s. 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 pick-up aimed at the very core of the segment.”
 |
At nearly 5.8 metres in length, over 2 metres in width, and almost 2 metres in height, the FTX is a BIG truck which would make a Proton Arena look like a kid’s toy.
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 centre console arch bend outward, wrapping around each occupant, forming two protective cells. A wide centre console separates at a large 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 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 3D screen.
Floating, foldaway rear seats are styled after recreational boats. The rear seat base is affixed to a centre 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 pick-up. Under the hood, the FTX is powered by a large-displacement V8 hybrid petrol-electric engine that pumps out loads of torque while delivering V6 fuel efficiency.
FTX DIMENSIONS
Overall Length: 5791 mm
Overall Width: 2095 mm
Overall Height: 1961 mm
Wheelbase: 3805 mm
 |
