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The Toyota FT-AC wants you to ride a bicycle

Because you’ve been sitting all day in the office

Meet the Future Toyota Adventure Concept. It's for active people with sculpted abs. PHOTO FROM TOYOTA

This is the Future Toyota Adventure Concept, the Japanese automaker’s latest demonstration that if you can’t beat the deadline, you have the option to just wing it—hence, the acronym FT-AC instead of a thoughtful name like, say, Kikai. This is a vehicle designed around the active lifestyle. It’s not for lazy people.

Listen to some Toyota executive named Jack Hollis: “The FT-AC is perfect for those outdoor enthusiasts who want to dial up the adventure on their weekend getaways. No matter the roads, the activities or the people, the FT-AC sparks authentic fun and conversation.”

So, not only is this car not for the indolent, it’s also most definitely not for the reticent.

If you drive this thing, your friends will immediately assume you have a life. PHOTOS FROM TOYOTA

Toyota calls the FT-AC a mere “design experiment,” which means it has no specific powertrain and mechanical components yet—although the company has said this vehicle could very well be a gasoline-powered mover with all-wheel drive and torque vectoring.

And because it is an adventure SUV, the FT-AC has features that would prove useful to adventurous individuals: 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, skid plates for the front and rear overhangs, twin hooks for vehicle recovery, Wi-Fi hotspot, and geolocation capabilities.

Even the paint job is a nod to the outdoors. It’s called Prospect Green with Fortress Gray accents.

The roof rack is so fancy you might not want to risk scratching it with items that could help you lose weight. PHOTOS FROM TOYOTA

Those constantly afflicted with wanderlust will appreciate the safari-style roof rack, which has LED lights at the front and the back so thieves can better see the stuff you’re traveling with you can have improved visibility out in the wilderness.

You don't have a GoPro camera to document your escapades? The FT-AC will take care of that. PHOTOS FROM TOYOTA

The best features of the FT-AC are the infrared cameras on the side mirrors and the fog lights up front—they’re detachable so the aforementioned thieves have more loot to take home and can be taken on a hiking or biking trail.

Maybe the bicycle is a standard accessory of the FT-AC. You can just leave it there even if you're the most slothful person in the world. PHOTOS FROM TOYOTA

In case you haven’t noticed, the FT-AC is exclusively presented in the photographs with a bicycle mounted on its rear. That’s Toyota’s way of saying the target market for this vehicle has to be passionate about physical fitness. We think the brand feels compelled to do something about this global epidemic called obesity. A showroom exchange between you and the Toyota salesperson might go like this:

You: “How much is the FT-AC?”

Salesperson: “Sir, do you ride a bicycle?”

You: “Er, I’m not interested in bicycles. I want your adventure vehicle.”

Salesperson: “Mmm…what kind of adventure might you use the FT-AC for?”

You: “The usual…office…mall…restaurant…groceries.”

Salesperson: “Sir, have you checked out this wonderful car over here? This is called the Prius and it’s hybrid…”

You: “Where’s your manager?”



Vernon B. Sarne

Vernon is the founder and editor-in-chief of VISOR. He has been an automotive journalist for 26 years. He became one by serendipity, walking into the office of a small publishing company and applying for a position he had no idea was for a local car magazine. God has watched over him throughout his humble journey. He writes the ‘Spoiler’ column.



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