Toyota News: Toyota Says Farewell To The FJ Cruiser With The Ultimate Edition

[William Maley]

---

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

November 7, 2013

Toyota has announced that the FJ Cruiser will be heading into the sunset after the 2014 model year. But before it does that, Toyota has introduced a special edition of the FJ Cruiser called the Ultimate Edition.

The Ultimate Edition begins with a “Heritage Blue” paint job and white painted front grille surround as an homage to the iconic FJ40 Land Cruiser. Under the skin lies a number of parts from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) including an off-road suspension, Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs, beefier front skid plate, and sixteen-inch simulated beadlock wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich off-road tires.

Toyota isn't saying how much the FJ Cruiser Ultimate Edition will cost, only saying that it would be going on sale in February and that only 2,500 will be built.

Source: Toyota

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

---

November 05, 2013

Happy Trails, FJ Cruiser

• Toyota Bids Farewell to an Off-Road Icon with Ultimate Edition
  

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5, 2013 -- It’s finally here…and then it’s gone. Toyota today unveiled the 2014 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition at a press conference held at the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

The 2014 Trail Teams Ultimate Edition is a commemorative final special edition of the FJ Cruiser. It is the toughest and most capable FJ ever and pays tribute to the iconic vehicle that will end its production run at the conclusion of the 2014 model year. With limited production, only 2,500 will be built.

The FJ Ultimate Edition pays tribute to the iconic Land Cruiser FJ40 of the 1960’s, from which the FJ Cruiser draws its rugged DNA, inspiration and design. A unique white painted front grille surround and newly developed “Heritage Blue” paint are reminiscent of the classic FJ40.

Designed and built for rugged off-roading, the Ultimate Edition raises the bar one more time for off-road capability with all new performance upgrades. A race-inspired Toyota Racing Development (TRD) off-road suspension was developed and meticulously tuned for the Ultimate Edition. The new suspension includes TRD Bilstein race shocks with increased damping, articulation and high speed stability. The front shock assemblies are 66mm with new TRD race coil springs, which raise the front of the FJ just enough to level out the stance and improve the approach angle. The rear shocks are 50mm and are equipped with remote reservoirs to decrease damping fade.

The list of new TRD goodies doesn’t stop there. A newly developed TRD front skid plate, made from one-quarter-inch thick aluminum plate comes standard on the Ultimate Edition. The TRD stamped front skid plate not only looks great, but improves approach angle and provides an increased level of underbody protection. TRD 16-inch bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich A/T KO tires, rock rails and roof rack complete the exterior.

The Ultimate Edition FJ Cruiser is only available in 4x4 and comes standard with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Crawl Control (CRAWL available with automatic transmission only), Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) with off switch and electronically controlled locking rear differential. In addition, the Toyota Star Safety System is standard.

Farewell to an Icon

Chiseled from nearly a half-century tradition of tough off-road performance provided by the legendary FJ40, the original 4Runner, and 4x4 compact pickups, the FJ Cruiser was developed as a basic, capable and affordable off-roader aimed specifically at serious off-roaders looking to push the limits. Hailed by consumers and critics alike, the FJ Cruiser became an instant classic.

The final model year 2014 FJ Cruiser is on sale now. The Trail Teams Ultimate Edition is scheduled to roll into dealerships in February 2014, kicking off a fond farewell to a Toyota original.

With sales of more than 200,000 units sold since 2006, the FJ rides into the sunset leaving lasting memories of one of the most iconic vehicles in Toyota’s rich SUV history.

FJ CRUISER ULTIMATE EDITION TRAIL TEAMS KEY FEATURES

Performance and Exterior Features

• Unique white front grille surround and exclusive Monotone “Heritage Blue” paint
  
• Blacked out bumpers, exterior mirrors and door handles
  
• All-new TRD heavy duty one-quarter-inch thick aluminum front skid plate
  
• Sew Specially-developed off-road tuned TRD Bilstein front suspension and rear Bilstein shocks with remote reservoir
  
• Exterior FJ Trail Teams Badge
  
• Roof rack
  
• Rock rails
  
• TRD 16-inch Gunmetal bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires
  
• Rear wiper
  

Interior Convenience Features

• Stainless steel FJ Cruiser Ultimate Edition dash plaque
  
• Power outside mirrors with illuminated markers
  
• Privacy glass on rear side, quarter and rear door windows
  
• Cruise Control
  
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel
  
• Floating-ball Multi-information Display with inclinometer, Compass and outside temperature
  
• Remote keyless entry system
  
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated backup camera display
  
• One 115V/400W AC power outlet
  

View full article

[Drew Dowdell]

odd... I thought it was dead already

[ponchoman49]

One less eyesore to look at on the roadways.

[G. David Felt]

One less broken 4x4 with poor site lines. Though I do have to say I did like that they have been the only one to include a angle gauge in the FJ to tell you what angle the auto is at.

But after seeing how easy it was to bend up the unibody on these, they became a joke in the 4x4 off road community. Just a street poser.

[Robert Hall]

It's too bad it didn't have a better reputation...I always thought it was one of the more interesting SUVs on the market, way more distinctive than the scores of bland, generic CUVs that have flooded the market over the last decade...

[ocnblu]

Farewell, FJ Cruiser! Don't let the door hit you in the...

[G. David Felt]

Farewell, FJ Cruiser! Don't let the door hit you in the...

I get the impression that you would like a spanking!

[ocnblu]

[ZL-1]

Thought this wasn't on sale anymore...

[Tyran]

Never was a great fan of these. I work at the Toyota plant in Cambridge Ontario and even there these where might scarce.

[A Horse With No Name]

One less broken 4x4 with poor site lines. Though I do have to say I did like that they have been the only one to include a angle gauge in the FJ to tell you what angle the auto is at.

But after seeing how easy it was to bend up the unibody on these, they became a joke in the 4x4 off road community. Just a street poser.

Reading this makes me angry, but not at you. Why are Asian car makers given a pass on this, while American and European carmakers are savaged when they get it wrong?

Toyota pretty much made chryco look wildly competent with these.