[RoughDay]

The Toyota FT-4X/TJ Cruiser showcases a multi-hatch on the rear end and it's seriously cool.

I can find so many uses for it, albeit, one better than the gif posted below.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3brp6DEplky5G1OGMmLkFCDnuv0=/0x0:1156x616/720x0/filters:focal(0x0:1156x616):gifv():no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8322591/Toyota_FT_4X_hatch.gif

Unfortunately I cannot embed it... but.. you get the point.

So why is it multi-hatch if it isn't obvious enough.
-You can open it as a regular hatch
-You can split and open like cargo-van doors

Adding to that to make matters better, one side of the doors acts as a warming box, and the other a cooling box.

So you can put gloves, hats, etc. in the warming box and snacks and juice boxes in the cooling box.

Pretty cool right?

 

[ToyoForLife]

With these kinds of vehicles, off-road friendly, I expect to see a spare tire on the tailgate like the FJ Cruiser. But that won't be possible when there are two ways to open up the rear hatch and implementing one could be too complicated and not very cost effective.

That's a shame because spare tires are important to me in this day and age where most are offered with a repair kit instead of a spare.

 

[HeliDriver]

Probably the best feature on this concept IMO.

 

[RoughDay]

I would also expect a spare tire. Maybe they'll mount it underneath although that'll really depend on how much room is really under there. Perhaps a dummy in the cargo area or something?

 

[NY-TJ]

Unlike previous generations of Toyota SUV's that came with a standard spare, this time around it should be optional. Being a vehicle made for a lot of folks in the city, tire patch kits are suitable. You even see less vehicles come with spare tires as standard. A better question would be how many of you would opt for a spare?

 

[ToyoForLife]

I'd opt for a spare just to have that security blanket, actually had to change a tire once by the roadside once and the spare was a life saver.

They'd probably mount it on the underside or maybe cut into the under-bed storage to fit one.

 

[RoughDay]

I'd rather a spare than a patch kit any time. Yeah it's a little extra weight to lug around but if it's only a dummy, it's essentially only an extra like 15 pounds ?!

If you were to get a side wall intrusion of some sort, the patch kit isn't going to do anything helpful for you.

 

[NY-TJ]

I'd rather a spare than a patch kit any time. Yeah it's a little extra weight to lug around but if it's only a dummy, it's essentially only an extra like 15 pounds ?!

If you were to get a side wall intrusion of some sort, the patch kit isn't going to do anything helpful for you.

Not much weight at all, I agree, but for me its more of a space issue. Spares and the tools to go with them take up a good amount of space. Living an active lifestyle I can find so many more uses for that space, likewise with a lot of people I know living different lifestyles.

 

[RoughDay]

That is very true. Thankfully dealers do offer a paid roadside assistance package (typically) so at least we have that going for us. Just a bit of inconvenience in the worst case scenario but it can't possibly be that bad.

 

[ToyoForLife]

Just had a thought, if the cargo door open two ways, that means there's no way to install a power lift-gate on the TJ Cruiser as it'll have no idea which way to open.

 

[NY-TJ]

Being an entry-level product there's a smaller chance we'll get it powered, instead what will be better is to have a hatch that opens and stays opens with struts.

 

[RoughDay]

I have no issue with the strut way of keeping it open, it works and it's all I really need. Wouldn't care for the electronic opening of anything as it doesn't take long at all to reach your hand and get it up like 1/4 of the way and it'll take care of the rest itself.

 

[ToyoForLife]

Forgot about struts with how prevalent power lift-gate are these days. that would definitely work when lifting the tailgate upwards.
If only someone took close up shots of the hinges and struts on the concept. Would have been interesting to see how it works up close.

 

[RoughDay]

There actually isn't any struts now that I'm going through the photos again so I'm trying to figure out how it stays up. It's all hinges.

 

[ToyoForLife]

Looks like all the hinges snaps into place once you close the tailgate and depending on which tailgate handle you use to open it, the corresponding hinges disengage. That's actually both simple and ingenious!

 

[Pathmaker]

I agree that the multi hatch is this concepts more promising feature and hopefully as a result it'll be one of the key design choices that makes it through to production. I'm doubtful that we will see a powered tailgate as this concept really does seem to embrace itself as a utility vehicle first and foremost.

 

[NY-TJ]

At this rate Toyota needs features like this to better appeal to younger crowds and in addition get more marketing power.
Plus they are sitting on a lot of money right now, this won't be much of a commitment to them in terms of dollars

 

[bicepeak]

At this rate Toyota needs features like this to better appeal to younger crowds and in addition get more marketing power.
Plus they are sitting on a lot of money right now, this won't be much of a commitment to them in terms of dollars

Good point, but they also have to keep it to a price that will not bump it too close to what the RAV4 costs. Price it too high and the new CUV will not sell. No company throws away money to make sales that offer lower profits.