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Toyota Land Cruiser ROX: Rugged soft-top concept

[All images courtesy of Toyota]

 

 

The annual SEMA show in Las Vegas (Sept. 5-8), the largest automotive specialty equipment event in the world, is always full of surprises. This year is no exception and includes the debut of the Toyota Land Cruiser ROX, a rugged pop-top concept that takes the nameplate into the safari realm and far beyond.

The one-off Recreation Open eXperience (ROX) vehicle was spearheaded by Toyota's North American design studio, Calty Design Research in Ann Arbor, MI. It gives Land Cruiser a whole new flavor, pushing it into Jeep and Bronco, multi-configurational territory, expanding the usability, functionality, and overall fun outdoor experience for the mid-size SUV. It also takes us back to the mid 1950s and through to the 1980s, when Land Cruiser was available as soft or hard top versions in different parts of the world.

"Open-air concepts have been a part of Land Cruiser's heritage, particularly the 'topless' version," said Toyota's Exterior Chief Designer, Adam Rabinowitz. "As our design team was sketching this open-top derivative, there was definitely an emotional connection to the Land Cruisers of the past."

Beginning as an all-new, reimagined 2024 Land Cruiser, Toyota said over 50% of the vehicle had to be reinvented and fabricated. The creative vision of this concept challenged the design team to create functional bodywork "that embodied the bold spirit and heritage of the Land Cruiser." Working closely with the Toyota Technical Center, the team created the stamping tools needed to produce the body panels and components. The result is a fully functional, one-off "factory" vehicle -- something only an OEM could do. The 2024 Land Cruiser features a 2.4L 4-cylinder i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, 8-speed automatic transmission, standard Crawl Control and available Multi-Terrain Select, and a whole lot more. See the options for the standard Land Cruiser here.

The open-air cabin is accessed via custom-fabricated "skeleton" doors with open upper and lower sections positioned atop aggressive-looking, high-clearance rocker panels and rock rails. The custom front-to-rear sliding soft top can be opened for passengers to enjoy the outdoors. Further blurring the line between cabin and environment, a functional mid-gate allows pass-through from the cabin to the truck bed for access to the integrated tailgate seating and extra storage space behind the cabin.

To ensure the Land Cruiser ROX was ready for the elements, the interior features custom SLS Nylon 3D-printed parts including front and rear doorsills. The interior has been updated to express a fun vibe using Heritage Orange leather, and door panels have integrated safety kits and catch-all webbing for sunglasses and other adventure gear. The exterior body color is inspired by "Spring Green," a vintage Land Cruiser paint color that pays homage to the model's iconic legacy.

Outside, this special build is loaded with utility. Up top, a custom integrated triple-bar roof rack and sports bar with molle panels provide a means to secure anything that doesn't fit in the bed or attach to the molle panels. In the back, a custom jerry can next to the rear spare carrier provides secure storage and transportation of liquids.

Custom-fabricated, high-lift front and rear steel bumpers with D-rings and brush guards provide fore and aft protection. At each corner, specially designed, widened fenders are filled with massive tires mounted to custom Calty-designed, 18-in. single-piece machined billet wheels.

In addition to its downright-fun form and aesthetic changes, the team enhanced the "go anywhere" aspect of this Land Cruiser by adding a customized independent suspension by TRD. After adding a 4-in. lift, the team increased the track width 8 in. by way of forged aluminum control arms at both the front and back, which widens the fender flares and provides a greater stroke range and a broad, menacing stance.

The end result is a seamless blend of rugged durability and open-air freedom, offering an exhilarating new take on the classic Toyota Land Cruiser that can easily be envisioned as a future production model.

"This ambitious, one-of-a-kind build is a testament to Toyota's commitment to pushing boundaries while staying true to the spirit of adventure that the Land Cruiser embodies," said Mike Tripp, group vice president, Toyota Division Marketing, Toyota Motor North America. "The Land Cruiser ROX is a reminder of what Land Cruiser has always been, and an invitation to Land Cruiser fans who will appreciate experiencing the great outdoors in an entirely new way. We can't wait to see how they react."

Source: Toyota

Published November 2024

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