The Toyota Compact Cruiser EV, a small off-roader, wins the 2022 Car Design Award for Concept Vehicle. This success prompted Toyota to publish more photos, renderings, and prototype sketches. The Compact Cruiser EV (Electric Vehicle) is one of 15 concept cars exhibited simultaneously by Toyota and Lexus in Tokyo.
From the Carscoops page, Tuesday (14/6/2022) many concept photos were shown by Toyota’s European Design Development Center (ED2) in Nice, France. Toyota’s designers took inspiration from the first-generation Land Cruiser and the company’s off-road heritage, with a concept similar to the retro-futuristic FJ Cruiser.
The concept looks like an evolution of the 2017 Toyota F4-X with new LED headlights reminiscent of the J80 and cleaner lines.
Features such as large slip plates, square fenders, good ground clearance, side mounted ladders and roof racks enhance the robust nature of this concept despite its compact footprint. The life-size prototype that appears in the shot is a static clay model as evidenced by the dark color of the windows.
However, Toyota fans can look forward to the Land Cruiser EV car in the future lineup as long as there is demand. Potential rivals would include Jeep’s upcoming small SUV, and a possible EV successor from the Suzuki Jimny.
Toyota claims that the Compact Cruiser’s target audience is “young urban dwellers and professionals who enjoy active outdoor recreational interests” while hinting at the all-wheel-drive nature of the concept. The company has yet to reveal any technical details, but a production version of the EV will be possible, based on the eTNGA architecture of the larger bZ4x.
“Our research on electric vehicles has been going on for more than 30 years, and we have come a long way. After the initial phase of contact with electric vehicles, people will want a zero-emission car that speaks about them and expresses their lifestyle. And the Compact Cruiser EV is a perfect example of that trend,” said Simon Humphries, Toyota’s Senior General Manager of Design.
This model was awarded by Auto&Design magazine, as part of the annual Car Design Awards, held in 1984. The awards are divided into three categories, with the Ferrari 296 GTB (Production Vehicle), Toyota Compact Cruiser (Concept Vehicle), and Polestar (Brand Design). Language / Overall Consistency) was awarded this year.
Toyota Compact Cruiser EV photos gallery
