*See images in the photo gallery above
The LA Auto Show on Thursday featured the debut of the Future Toyota Adventure Concept, or FT-AC. The outdoors-geared crossover showcased a wide front and all the attributes needed for serious trail driving.
“FT-AC is perfect for those outdoor enthusiasts who want to dial up the adventure on their weekend getaways,” said Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager, Toyota division. “No matter the roads, the activities, or the people, FT-AC sparks authentic fun and conversation.”
The pronounced grille on the concept is flanked with bright LED headlights. Fog lights brighten the road ahead during foul weather or poor conditions and can even be taken out from their pods and used as portable lights. The fog lights can be attached to a mountain bike for occasional night rides.
Below, FT-AC has twin hooks for vehicle recovery. Skid plates help protect the short front and rear overhangs, so rocks, ruts, and just about anything else will have trouble slowing down the rig.
FT-AC was designed around a long wheelbase and wide track to help emphasize its powerful stance. Extra wide fender flares provide body shielding and look as if they float above the 20-inch wheels and beefier all-terrain tires, both of which help accentuate its commanding look. Its tires and generous ground clearance provide drivers with more options, according to Toyota.
The safari-style cargo roof rack system can haul all types of adventure gear. LED marker lights at its front corners can provide ambient lighting around the vehicle, brighten the trail ahead or, if desired, act as a flash for the side mirrors’ embedded cameras.
The infrared cameras on the side mirrors can record trail runs and, like the fog lights, can be removed and mounted off-vehicle so that no fun goes undocumented. An integrated Wi-Fi hotspot automatically uploads footage to cloud-based storage where real-time editing and posting can be accessed via mobile device, according to Toyota.
The roof rack’s rear-facing LED lights also aid nighttime visibility and can be controlled via mobile device as well. At the rear is an integrated bike rack that retracts.
Lastly, drivers and passengers can utilize FT-AC’s geolocation capabilities for directions back to basecamp.