Toyota FJ LandCruiser goes electric … as a 2030 concept

Imagine what a 2030 version of the legendary Toyota FJ would look like running purely on electricity.

That’s what one design student has done in creating the Toyota FJ-E concept as part of his graduation thesis.

Sean Hadley completed the Toyota FJ-E project for the respected ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California.

And what he’s created – in the virtual world, at least – is one of the coolest Toyotas ever, building on the legend of the now-discontinued FJ Cruiser that was a modern interpretation of the iconic FJ40 LandCruiser.

Hadley refers to it as “electrification capable of going further than ever before” and a “silent off-road powerhouse”.

It’s also one very desirable Toyota 4WD.

The Toyota FJ-E builds on the circular headlights and stocky stance but adds some futuristic touches courtesy of modern lighting technology.

There’s also a quasi-naked motorbike look created with some of the exposed hardware, while suitably chunky tyres and short overhangs complete the off-road look.

And, of course, there are the distinctive rear mounted clamshell back doors (or half doors) that allow easier access to the back seats.

Hadley has even imagined a version without proper doors, instead replacing them with metal bars as part of the “Desert” pack for his futuristic FJ-E. The back half of the roof can also be removed for more of an open-air experience.

A swing-out door houses a full-sized spare wheel and it’s even mounted on the correct side for Australia, opening on the kerb side for easy access.

The Toyota FJ-E also maintains the “Toyota” badging across the grille (the FJ Cruiser was the only modern Toyota to drop the stylised T logo from the grille in favour of the brand name spelled out).

Inside there’s the functionality of grab handles but it’s otherwise about simplicity, right down to the green materials that look as though they’ll go the distance, as well as digital displays in place of traditional instruments.

But it’s the thought that has gone into adventure aspect of an electric off-roader that is arguably the most impressive part of the FJ-E project.

It sits on a skateboard chassis that houses four electric motors to provide individual control to all four wheels. The chassis houses a battery pack protected by steel underneath and to the sides, allowing the FJ-E to safely do its thing in tough terrain.

Two yellow handles on the bonnet allow auxilliary battery packs to be removed and used around the camp site or for powering tools.

“They can also easily be shared with other FJ-E drivers if they are running low on power,” says Hadley on his website.

Clearly the focus for the FJ-E is on maintaining the Toyota FJ’s reputation for off-road ability.

“This is a vehicle meant to compete with and outperform titans of the off-road industry like the Jeep Wrangler,” Hadley explains in the project document on the FJ-E, which is designed to allow you to “connect with nature and overcome any obstacle before you”.

No doubt the electric drivetrain will help with that.

Car makers – including 4×4 powerhouses such as Jeep and Land Rover – already believe electrification will make 4WDs more capable than ever.

Of course, the chances of the FJ-E making it to showrooms is somewhere near zero.

Toyota has long ensured its hard core off-roaders – think Fortuner, Prado and LandCruiser, and previously the FJ Cruiser – are designed for remote corners of Australia.

The reality is the EV charging network isn’t up to that yet.

There’s also the small issue of economics. Toyota is a volume selling brand and at the moment the electric tech (predominantly batteries) isn’t quite there. Plus, the former FJ Cruiser that was sold between 2011 and 2017 shared its underpinnings with the Toyota Prado, something that helped keep production costs down.

But, hey, it’s the start of a new year so it’s a perfect time to dream of what could be created in the EV space years from now, something Hadley has done nicely.

Ironically, Hadley is now a “creative design intern” at Ford, based in Dearborn. And it’s the recently revealed Ford Bronco – a car that will eventually spawn a Bronco hybrid – that is one of the natural rivals to the retro-goodness of the FJ Cruiser and his conceptual FJ-E.

Perhaps he can weave the same EV magic over Ford’s latest hard core off-roader, one that won’t be coming to Australia in a hurry.

For more of the here-and-now, check out our comprehensive guide to every new electric car and PHEV coming to Australia in 2021.