It’s been six years on the market (and regardless if you like its styling), but for the most part, the FJ Cruiser looks as fresh as it did when Toyota introduced the retro-flavored SUV in final production trim at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show.
At the 2012 edition of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas next week, Toyota’s display booth will host the premiere of yet another take on the FJ Cruiser built by the brand’s performance arm, TRD.
The FJ-S Cruiser concept takes its cues from the Baja Series Tacoma and sports an upgraded chassis and body structure with the addition of an underbody “exoskeleton” to improve its off-road prowess.
According to the Japanese automaker, the extra stiffness and strength provided by the exoskeleton creates a more suitable platform for the suspension modifications and wheel upgrades that include 60-mm Bilstein racing shocks up front and 50-mm Bilstein racing shocks with remote reservoirs in the rear, plus 17-inch beadlock-style wheels and BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires.
TRD also took a look under the hood and decided to go with a supercharger treatment, a large air-to-water intercooler and a custom cat-back exhaust that improve the 4.0-liter V6 engine’s output by 30 percent to 345HP, and peak torque by 25 percent to 340 lb.-ft.
On the outside, the FJ-S Cruiser gets a front nudge bar and rock rails, while the interior sports a two-tone leather seat treatment with FJ-S logos on the seatbacks and custom floor mats.
PHOTO GALLERY
