Toyota has revealed a new concept vehicle that is designed to explore the rugged terrain of the moon and beyond. The Toyota Baby Lunar Cruiser (BLC) is a compact electric SUV that draws inspiration from the original FJ40 Land Cruiser, one of the most iconic off-road vehicles in history.
A tribute to the FJ40 and the Lunar Cruiser
The BLC was created by CALTY Design Research, Toyota’s American design studio that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The studio has been responsible for many innovative and creative designs for Toyota, such as the second-generation Celica, the FT-1 concept, and the 2024 Tacoma.
The BLC is one of several concepts that CALTY is revealing to mark its milestone, and it pays homage to the FJ40, which was sold from 1960 to 2001 and became a legend among off-road enthusiasts. The BLC features a front fascia that mimics the FJ40’s distinctive grille and headlights, as well as the heritage ‘TOYOTA’ lettering on the hood.
The BLC also shares its name with the Lunar Cruiser, a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that Toyota is developing with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for a moon mission in 2029. The Lunar Cruiser will have a pressurized cabin that can accommodate two astronauts and travel up to 10,000 km on a single tank of hydrogen.
A futuristic SUV for Earth and beyond
The BLC, on the other hand, is a smaller and more agile vehicle that is built for exploring shorter distances on the moon or other planets. It has six wheels with airless tires and in-wheel motors, which provide enhanced traction and maneuverability. It also has a full-width digital dashboard that incorporates augmented reality technology, as well as dual joysticks instead of a steering wheel.
The BLC is powered by an advanced hydrogen fuel-cell system that can generate electricity from water and oxygen. This makes it an environmentally friendly and sustainable vehicle that can operate in harsh conditions. The BLC can also carry various equipment and tools in its spacious cargo area, which has a split tailgate for easy access.
The BLC is not intended to be a production vehicle, but rather a vision of what a future lunar rover could look like. It showcases Toyota’s expertise in design, technology, and mobility, as well as its passion for adventure and exploration.
A new frontier for Toyota and CALTY
Toyota has been expanding its horizons beyond Earth with its involvement in space exploration projects. In addition to the Lunar Cruiser with JAXA, Toyota is also collaborating with NASA on a next-generation lunar rover for Project Artemis, which aims to return humans to the moon by 2024. Toyota’s FCEV technology is expected to play a key role in these endeavors, as it offers high efficiency, low emissions, and long range.
CALTY, meanwhile, has been celebrating its 50 years of innovation and creativity with various events and activities. The studio has also revealed some of its never-seen-before concepts from its archives, such as an early FJ40 proposal and the MX-2 sports car concept. These concepts demonstrate CALTY’s ability to create original and diverse designs for Toyota.
The BLC is the latest example of CALTY’s talent and vision, and it reflects Toyota’s spirit of challenge and curiosity. The BLC is not just a concept vehicle, but a symbol of Toyota’s ambition to explore new frontiers and create new possibilities.
