Toyota FT-86G, FJ Cruiser and ‘Fire and Ice’ HiLux

Toyota revealed a number of new models to the automotive press this morning, including the hugely popular FT-86G rear-wheel-drive Sports Concept, which is in fact, the second-generation concept, with a 2-litre turbocharged boxer engine and six-speed manual gearbox.

While there are sure to be minor alterations to the production version, don’t be surprised if it looks reasonably similar to this concept.

There’s carbon-fibre everywhere; including most of the bonnet, front splitter, rear wing and diffuser, side skirts and wing mirrors.

The dual, centre-mounted oversize exhaust tips, which are integrated into the rear-diffuser, are hard to miss and we can only hope that this standout feature makes it onto the showroom floor.

The FT-86G is shod with 19-inch Bridgestone rubber – with fronts wearing 245/40 series and 275/35′s at the rear.

If you’re wondering about the ‘G’ in FT-86G, it stands for Toyota’s racing arm ‘Gazoo Racing’ , who played a major part in the development of the car, including the Recaro Sports seats inside.

There wouldn’t be a single Toyota employee anywhere in the world, including Akio Toyoda himself, who doesn’t want to see a production version of this car on the road – like yesterday.

Mr Toyoda is a serious motorsports fan and remains keen for the company to produce exciting automobiles when he recently said, “It is often said that young people today have drifted away from cars, but I feel it may not be the customers who have drifted from cars but us, the manufacturers.”

He also said, “I believe it is the mission of auto makers to provide the fundamental excitement of automobiles to customers, regardless of the era.”

Also lining up on the Toyota stand at this year’s AIMS, is the retro-styled and super cool FJ Cruiser, an SUV who’s styling was influenced by the original 1960’s era, FJ40.

The FJ40 was originally billed as the vehicle “that could travel to, and return from, any extreme environment.”

It certainly looks like a serious bit of kit, with ‘tough as nails’ body panels and wheel guards, while under the bonnet sits a 4-litre petrol engine developing 200kW and 380 Nm of torque.

The FJ Cruiser is a proper 4WD, with a dual range transfer case and high levels of wheel articulation possible, for rock crawling and other more serious off-road feats.

Enthusiasts in Australia won’t have to wait long either, for the chance to hop into an FJ Cruiser, with the Australian launch in the first quarter of 2011.

Also, on display was the specially prepared HiLux dubbed ‘fire and ice’ due to it being the first car to ever reach the Magnetic North Pole.

That’s not all this fearsome looking machine has accomplished. Fully prepared by ‘Arctic Trucks’ in Reykjavik, the HiLux was successful in taking a group of scientists across snow and ice to Iceland’s active Eyjafjallajokull Volcano.

Capping off Toyota’s stand this year will be a special edition LandCruiser model, to celebrate the vehicle’s 60th anniversary. It’s powered by a twin-turbo V8 diesel and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, as well as a host of other value added features.