Toyota decides to produce FSC concept
The crossover segment is quickly overpopulating many automaker's lineups (think Mazda and Ford), and Toyota is the latest to join the fray. The folks from Aichi Japan are only a couple months away from launching a production version of the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show's FSC concept in their home market. The concept blended SUV utility and station wagon styling queues with a platform that's based on the Camry to give Toyota another entry in what may be the hottest segment in the industry. The for-sale vehicle will be named Mark X Zio in Japan, and it will cart around six or seven passengers via the power of a 2.4- or 3.5-liter engine.
No word yet on whether the Mark X Zio will ever be made available in the US market, but if does ever grace our shores, we doubt the awkward name will make the trek.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
The Other Bob 10:17AM (6/28/2007)
Didn't Toyota announce some time ago that a Camry-based crossover would be built alongside the Camry in Kenn?
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mk 10:21AM (6/28/2007)
The C-pillar is a slight bit odd and thick, but other than that, this is not a bad looking shuttle-craft.
With decent AWD, and the Aussie Aurion's twin-vortex supercharger, paddle-shifters, and some wheel/tire/suspension, this could be as fun as a people hauler can be.
Certainly looks lower and longer, and possibly sportier than most other blocky CUVs, and less pedestrian than most minivans, and WAY less awkward-looking than the R-class mercedes.
Sport sedans were born of people wanting to retain a measure of their sports car's feel, while driving something more practical. Something that should take another step toward even more practicality, without losing that measure of performance.
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shiznannigan 5:08PM (6/28/2007)
A Toyota with a thick C-pillar? Who would have thought ;)
Decent looking vehicle though.
epilonious 10:21AM (6/28/2007)
Toyota already has two crossovers based on the Camry in the US: They are called the Toyota highlander and the Lexus 350RX. They even have hybrids. It's being nudged from the bottom by the Rav4 and Rav4 L. This segment is already well covered by ToMoCoUS.
If this thing came over, it would probably be the Lexus 350RX-X, or th ES350 wagon.
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Jason 10:29AM (6/28/2007)
Minivans -> SUVs -> Crossovers -> ?
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Bob R. 10:34AM (6/28/2007)
The Ford Fairlane/Flex still looks much better, although this concept is not too bad at all.
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nilk 10:43AM (6/28/2007)
Forget all this "crossover" nonsense. What we need is fuel-efficient wagons. Give me a Camry Hybrid Wagon that places the battery out of the way and costs close to what the current Camry Hybrid costs and I'll get out my checkbook. Or even a non-hybrid wagon version of the I4 Camry would be great. Honda should do the same with the Accord (I4 wagon or even a I4 hybrid wagon).
That picture does indeed look a wagon. Hopefully it delivers fuel-efficiency close to what the current Camry I4 does (a hybrid version would be nice as well). And hopefully it makes it to the U.S if it is fuel-efficient.
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Travis Rassat 10:53AM (6/28/2007)
It seems this probably is the closest thing we'll get to a "Camry wagon" - nobody wants to call anything a wagon these days because that word is out of style... :)
Owain Ozymandias Buck 11:26AM (6/28/2007)
Agreed. Wagons Rule!
How can anyone possibly think a "crossover" is cool or more useful than a wagon?
ron 10:46AM (6/28/2007)
Give me something like "stow-and-go" seating for a flat floor behind the front seats (like my Sable wagon), and you can sign me up!
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Barney 5:34PM (6/28/2007)
"Wagon" sounds practical. Can't be used today!
Whiplash 10:54AM (6/28/2007)
I've always gotten a kick out of the term "crossover". I guess "station wagon" isn't sexy enough in today's marketing terms. This is a nice looking car though.
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Tom Miller 11:03AM (6/28/2007)
Very handsome! I'd consider buying one -- altho I prefer Honda.
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Oluseyi 11:41AM (6/28/2007)
Personally I've always been partial to the "Estate" designation, or BMW's "Touring"... Saab's "9-5 Wagon" was cool, though.
"Crossover." Blech.
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Guenther 1:29PM (6/28/2007)
I wonder if that thing can get any real fuel economy advantage over the Highlander. For the US market, I think the two are just too close. The Germans would buy this with the 180ps D-Cat motor and AWD.
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volvoracing 11:01AM (7/27/2007)
Toyota is blatantly ripping of the v70 with this one.
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whofan 3:28PM (6/28/2007)
Finally something to compare with the Dodge magnum.
Now we will be reading how superior Toyota is to the Magnum.
This is good for Dodge. I almost forgot the magnum existed.
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sfast 3:32PM (6/28/2007)
that just looks like a large and streched Mazda3.
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Barney 5:31PM (6/28/2007)
In some places you can get your glass's for free. No point going through life sounding like you need them, if you can wear them.
sfast 8:32PM (6/28/2007)
okay, think what you think, but from the side view it looks simlar to the mazda3 five door. Why don't you compair pics of the profile of both cars before you make a comment.