Front view....
FT-AC styling to appear on the 2019 RAV-4
Just as I suspected the FT-AC is pretty much the new RAV4. If you notice the front creases in the camouflage you can see the FT-AC poking through.
2019 Toyota RAV4 Breaks Cover Testing in Southern California » AutoGuide.com News
2019 Toyota RAV4 Breaks Cover Testing in Southern California » AutoGuide.com News
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I can kind of see the wheel well similarities, but what cements the FT-AC look in my mind is the shape of that grille. It may be under camouflage, but I can still make out that gaping maw outline under it.
Exciting times for me because the current Rav4 is hideous and I could never pull the trigger on it even though the size is appealing.
Exciting times for me because the current Rav4 is hideous and I could never pull the trigger on it even though the size is appealing.
Yeah, that front is pretty obvious under the disguise. When the current RAV4 grill pictures came out , I did not like it at all. Now that I have seen them in real life, I really like the clean design. If you want to talk hideous, those ugly junks of plastic chrome on the Honda are truly hideous. So glad Toyota is not following that trend and staying clean!I can kind of see the wheel well similarities, but what cements the FT-AC look in my mind is the shape of that grille. It may be under camouflage, but I can still make out that gaping maw outline under it.
Exciting times for me because the current Rav4 is hideous and I could never pull the trigger on it even though the size is appealing.
What I find most exciting now is that we can eliminate the FT-AC as the sub-compact under $20,000 crossover I am looking for. Now will it be something like the FT-4X or like the TJ Cruiser? I am pretty confident the TJ will be introduced somewhere close to as is. If we get the FT-4X, it is going to have a lot of changes from the concept.
Something else to seriously consider. It is obvious now that Toyota had already decided what it wanted to do with the RAV4 before exposing the FT-AC as a "concept" to get "feedback". It might have made some small changes if there were a lot of criticism at the show, but the design was locked in already as the new RAV4.
It did exactly the same thing when it had a highly trimmed, with ground effects, iM shown. A couple of months later they introduced the actual iM without the extra trim pieces.
This leads me to believe the TJ will be a reality. I believe they already have a car under wraps with the inside as it will be in production. Probably with minimal outside differences from the concept.
I also would not be surprised if they have a practical FT-4X all ready too. It is probably greatly simplified from the concept.
Exciting times ahead!
It did exactly the same thing when it had a highly trimmed, with ground effects, iM shown. A couple of months later they introduced the actual iM without the extra trim pieces.
This leads me to believe the TJ will be a reality. I believe they already have a car under wraps with the inside as it will be in production. Probably with minimal outside differences from the concept.
I also would not be surprised if they have a practical FT-4X all ready too. It is probably greatly simplified from the concept.
Exciting times ahead!
Well with the FT-AC, it was simply a concept to test their redesign of the new Rav4, but do we have any idea what the TJ Cruiser would be replacing? Although is possible that this new concept could be the reinvention of the discontinued FJ, i think its more than likely to be a brand new crossover out of Toyota. Theres a huge amount of competition in that segment, so lets hope Toyota keeps some of the concepts very unique features to help it stand out.
Exactly. They are way overdue for something below the RAV4 sizewise. The TJ is so close to production ready....just some tweaks to the interior. I believe the actual vehicle is already waiting in the wings... a slightly tweaked TJ.Well with the FT-AC, it was simply a concept to test their redesign of the new Rav4, but do we have any idea what the TJ Cruiser would be replacing? Although is possible that this new concept could be the reinvention of the discontinued FJ, i think its more than likely to be a brand new crossover out of Toyota. Theres a huge amount of competition in that segment, so lets hope Toyota keeps some of the concepts very unique features to help it stand out.
Haven't quite figured out how the FT-4X fits in this equation. It just seems it's going to take much more revisions to make it production ready. Plus it still doesn't a have real , registered name yet...whatever that implies. If Toyota plans to produce it, you can bet they have the production version ready, just deeply hidden for now.
I haven't quite figured out how the the "grey van" TJ Cruiser figures into Toyota's lineup. Toyota has a big hole for a CUV to fill and I think the FT-4X is it, as just last week Toyota US Sales Chief Jack Hollis spoke positively about it:
"'The FT-4X was outstanding in New York. The feedback was way above our expectations. It makes you start to think like we did with FJ Cruiser. It was so popular we had to make the car. FT-4X is in that similar boat where it's like, “Wow, it's so good. Maybe that concept is the hit itself.” Then we came up with FT-AC and people said, “Wow, that may even be stronger than FT4X.” "
https://www.trucks.com/2018/01/19/toyota-sales-chief-talks-tacoma-tundra/
All will become clear on Feb 8. I'm hoping the FT-4X gets the production green light.
"'The FT-4X was outstanding in New York. The feedback was way above our expectations. It makes you start to think like we did with FJ Cruiser. It was so popular we had to make the car. FT-4X is in that similar boat where it's like, “Wow, it's so good. Maybe that concept is the hit itself.” Then we came up with FT-AC and people said, “Wow, that may even be stronger than FT4X.” "
https://www.trucks.com/2018/01/19/toyota-sales-chief-talks-tacoma-tundra/
All will become clear on Feb 8. I'm hoping the FT-4X gets the production green light.
The "grey van" fits neatly in the Honda HR-V/ Renegade/ CX-3 etc. class which is not met by Toyota now. The perfect companion to the CH-R which has little utility. All these crossovers are not meant to do major off roading.I haven't quite figured out how the the "grey van" TJ Cruiser figures into Toyota's lineup. Toyota has a big hole for a CUV to fill and I think the FT-4X is it, as just last week Toyota US Sales Chief Jack Hollis spoke positively about it:
"'The FT-4X was outstanding in New York. The feedback was way above our expectations. It makes you start to think like we did with FJ Cruiser. It was so popular we had to make the car. FT-4X is in that similar boat where it's like, “Wow, it's so good. Maybe that concept is the hit itself.” Then we came up with FT-AC and people said, “Wow, that may even be stronger than FT4X.” "
https://www.trucks.com/2018/01/19/toyota-sales-chief-talks-tacoma-tundra/
All will become clear on Feb 8. I'm hoping the FT-4X gets the production green light.
The FT-4X may be a better fit for an off road version, alongside lower level street use trims.
They could use the Renegade plan which starts with a basic CUV and goes up to off road versions of the same model. Either the TJ Cruiser or the FT-4X could do that.
The bottom line is...Toyota has already decided what it will do, despite the coy press interviews that suggest everything is up in the air, or just now being considered because of show response.
I think you may be right about Feb. 8th since the FT-AC will be there and could be possibly announced as the next RAV4. On the other hand , Toyota may hold off on revealing RAV4 announcements since the current model is selling like hot cakes.
Overall I think we should see them take on the effect that Tacoma and 4Runners do with TRD Pro versions set for off-road and all other trims below for regular duty and maybe some lighter off-roading.
Makes sense. Saves them from having to make an entirely different vehicle for off road.Overall I think we should see them take on the effect that Tacoma and 4Runners do with TRD Pro versions set for off-road and all other trims below for regular duty and maybe some lighter off-roading.
The need for a TRD variant will be entirely dependant on what specs/performance are found in the stock level trims. Seeing as how they are already going to offer an "Adventure" trim, there may be no need for something further. And of course for those who want to take things a step further, there's always aftermarket.
Agree. I think the concept FT-AC is the RAV4 Adventure trim.The need for a TRD variant will be entirely dependant on what specs/performance are found in the stock level trims. Seeing as how they are already going to offer an "Adventure" trim, there may be no need for something further. And of course for those who want to take things a step further, there's always aftermarket.
Yup and theres the fact that they almost follow the same recipe. It was probably cheaper to test this idea on the Tacoma and 4Runner seeing how successful they already were, helping to pave the way for models like the TJ. Other brands have done the same thing. The outgoing RAM Rebel is no more than upfitting it with parts, but the new Rebel is said to have some real ground up engineering doneMakes sense. Saves them from having to make an entirely different vehicle for off road.
The FT-Ac Rav4 may be more rugged, but it won't have any of those cool features on the concept that drew me in. Really did like the idea of dual colored headlights and beefy looking side mirrors. Tired of seeing people just bulldozing across mine and scratching the thing up all the time.
Interestingly enough it seems that the dual color scheme on the new Rav4 seems to have disappeared in early renderings. Not sure if that'll hold true in the final product. I like it when vehicles are released in two tone set ups, as it provides a huge amount of customization.
Keep in mind this is Car scoop's rendition of what it will look like. This is not from Toyota. But it good to see it in another color.Interestingly enough it seems that the dual color scheme on the new Rav4 seems to have disappeared in early renderings. Not sure if that'll hold true in the final product. I like it when vehicles are released in two tone set ups, as it provides a huge amount of customization.
Whatever it comes to market looking like I hope we get something with pronounced fenders sort of like what we seen on the CH-R and even older products like the Lexus GX. It will be one of the better things they can do to its side profile.
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