FJ Cruiser Coming Downunder.... March 2011?

[Chancha_Blanca]

From the SMH site (Sydney Morning Herald) smh.com.au

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/4wds ... 19443.html

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4WDs and SUVs of 2011 The Drive Team
December 24, 2010

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.Buyers are flocking to SUVs in record numbers. More and more people are spending their Saturday mornings reading through the Drive section in search of their ideal family faux-wheel-drive. And, with at least twenty manufacturers set to offer SUVs in the Australian market in 2011, the Saturday morning ritual is bound to be more fruitful than ever before.

Toyota



The funky FJ Cruiser off-roader is the next step in Toyota’s bid to broaden its appeal to younger buyers, following on from the introduction of the boxy Rukus small car this year.

The Hummer look-alike is likely to be pitched at about $40,000 when it arrives in March, roughly the same price as the company’s recently revised Kluger soft-roader, and beneath the Prado on which it is based.

The FJ Cruiser may share the same underpinnings as the Prado, but the two are poles apart in looks, with the Cruiser adopting a retro look - complete with white roof and eye-catching colours - inspired by the original LandCruiser FJ40.

The FJ gets the Prado’s 200kW 4.0-litre V6 and is expected to compete against similar style-focused SUVs such as the Jeep Wrangler.

In the US, the FJ is offered in both two- and four-wheel-drive versions, but local models will be 4WD-only. And unlike the Prado, there will be no diesel version, as oil burners aren’t as popular as petrol vehicles in the FJ’s main market, the US.

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[Chancha_Blanca]

no mention of the VW Amarok...

[07luxurious]

I'm Pretty sure that they are an IFS front judging by the photos posted on the Toyota website.

Almost defeats the purpose, as the last FJ40 was an articulation machine.

[Dave]

Yup definitely IFS... I'm keen to know how their struts are designed... hopefully more like the Prado ones.

Does anyone know what tow rating the FJ might have? I have heard rumours of 3 tonne !!

[Hilux Max]

Struts are exactly the same as Prado 120......

[Alby]

I have seen one on the road a couple of times around my way but have not had a close look yet
I live near Toyota Australia head office so suspect it is a staff car

[Big Red Truck]

The FJ cruiser shares the chassis from a 120 series Prado.

Cheers, Mat

[helmut79]

Misses needs a new car soon

[Jonny]

There is a yellow one parked on Lane Cove Rd at West Pymble in the direction of the Pacific Hwy.
It has a sticker on the back window http://www.fjcruiser.com.au or something to that effect.

Didn't have time to check it out properly yesterday

[Oz Bruiser]

Although not officially here yet have a mate that works in the motor industry that fits up the stickers, labels parts etc that need to be fitted to all aussie cars when they come off the docks before any deallers get them etc and he has seen them some unloaded already.

[rn41leroy]

NO OIL burner? WTF im ruled out ill never be able to get my boss to buy one for me as a work car...

[Dave]

There is a yellow one parked on Lane Cove Rd at West Pymble in the direction of the Pacific Hwy.
It has a sticker on the back window http://www.fjcruiser.com.au or something to that effect.

Didn't have time to check it out properly yesterday

Interesting, hopefully it was www.newfjcruiser.net

[amitch888]

[quote="Dave]

Interesting, hopefully it was http://www.newfjcruiser.net [/quote]

I bumped into this site this morning, give it time it'll grow, seems to be a bit of interest on these fj's!

[McSumWay]

Just announced pricing.

$44990 and only one spec - dual range tranny

On sale this month

[Drew]

Anyone want to buy a hilux hehehehe

[Hilux Max]

Anyone want to buy a hilux hehehehe

Keep your hilux...you'll regret the lack of vision out of the FJ when driving it.....not to mention the lesser amount of cargo capacity over the hilux.

[helmut79]

$44990 and only one spec - dual range tranny

Typical of Toyota, if I was around the $40K mark it would be a great option but $45K, come on be realistic Toyota

[VMN]

They are in stock, My missus saw a truckload of them out her work window on a transport truck. Only a block from Toyota's Qld state office..

[Hilux Max]

How many of you know that the rear diff in the FJ Cruiser is upgraded compared to the Hilux?

The new model FJ cruiser has a 8.2" (208mm) rear differential as opposed to the Hilux and the pre facelift FJ cruiser which is 8" (205mm)......not much but it has got to be some strength increase in it.

[Bull]

But how often do you break a rear diff though?