Update: We’ve just added a fresh batch of live snapshots featuring Toyota’s presentations from the Tokyo show.
Toyota’s exhibition at this year’s inaugural Japan Mobility Show stands out with a wide array of concept and special models, featuring over a dozen vehicles such as the sporty FT-Se study and the Global Hi-Ace van. In this segment, we’ll focus on the electrified Land Cruiser, the EPU small pickup truck, the Land Hopper electric three-wheeler, and an innovative steering wheel concept.
Toyota Land Cruise Se Is An Electric 3-Row SUV
Starting with the Land Cruiser Se, it’s an electric three-row crossover that hints at how Toyota could expand the Land Cruiser lineup and cater to the “world’s diverse needs.”
That being said, the seven-seat crossover doesn’t exactly look like a Land Cruiser as it has an angular and futuristic design. The front end is dominated by a fully enclosed grille, which is flanked by slender headlights and a small opening with “TOYOTA” lettering.
First Look: The 2024 Land Cruiser Is Worth Getting Excited About
Moving further back, there’s pronounced fenders, blacked out pillars, and heavily stylized bodywork. We can also see a distinctive greenhouse, a ‘floating’ roof, and a rounded rear end with a slim light bar.
The concept measures 202.8 inches (5,150 mm) long and has a wheelbase that spans 120.1 inches (3,050 mm). That means the model is 1.4 inches (36 mm) longer than the Grand Highlander and has an extra 4 inches (102 mm) between the wheels.
Toyota didn’t mention specifications, but the model eschews body-on-frame construction for a monocoque setup. The automaker also hinted at “high-torque driving performance” and a street-focused suspension as this Land Cruiser is for the urban jungle.
Toyota EPU Hints At A Small, Electric Pickup
While the Land Cruiser Se is interesting, the EPU pickup is bound to turn heads and get Americans excited.
Despite being billed as a “next-generation mid-size pickup truck concept,” the model measures 199.6 inches (5,070 mm) long and that’s only a tenth of an inch shorter than the Maverick. That being said, the concept has a 131.8 inch (3,350 mm) wheelbase and this is 10.7 inches (272 mm) longer than the Ford.
Putting dimensions aside, the EPU features monocoque construction and a crew cab design. Speaking of the latter, the truck has a mix of angular lines and flowing surfaces. They’re joined by plastic body cladding, questionable rear windows, and a short bed that has a few party tricks.
The cabin features a minimalist design with a floating ‘command center’ that consists of a digital instrument cluster, a widescreen infotainment system, and a tiny shifter. We can also see a yoke-like steering wheel and a shelf-like dashboard.
Toyota didn’t say much about the truck, but confirmed it has an electric powertrain. The automaker went on to say the concept has a “low center of gravity for superior handling stability and ride comfort.”
A Three-Wheel Land Hopper And A Steering Wheel With Bike-Inspired Controls
Apart from the previously mentioned concepts, Toyota will also showcase the Land Hopper. Contrary to initial speculation that the name will be used for a rumored rival the Bronco Sport, it turned out to be a “three-wheeled electric personal mobility concept.”
It has two front wheels and a foldable design, which enables the trike to fit into cars for easy transport. The Land Hopper promises to deliver an “exhilarating ride,” although it’s also billed as a mobility device for “seniors who choose to give up their licenses.”
Toyota will also showcase an electric wheelchair, which can climb and descend stairs. It will be joined by a space mobility prototype, which has four electric motors and a off-road focused suspension that can tackle boulders up to 19.7 inches (50 cm) tall.
Last but not least, the company will show an interior with a NEO Steer system. It’s billed as a “new cockpit concept based on motorcycle handlebars, integrating the functions of the accelerator and brake pedals into the steering wheel.”
Check out our full coverage of the 2023 Japan Mobility Show over at our dedicated news hub right here.
