It's Official: TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser

[ekool]

I realize the FJ Cruiser Special Edition is about the worst kept secret on the planet at this point. But, Toyota made it official so we will too. Autoblog has the official press release available online. Here is the Autoblog news post:

Since Toyota didn't have an image available, the above image is our lame attempt at photochopping the exterior.

In 2007, Toyota will be bringing to market a Limited Edition model of its popular FJ Cruiser, complete will all the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) goodies.

First off, the limited edition version will be sprayed down head-to-toe, in black paint, nixing its trademarked white roof. The wheels will be coated in an anthracite finish and wrapped with uprated BF Goodrich All-Terrain rubber. To complete the exclusive look, expect the prerequisite "TRD Limited Edition" badges adorning as many surfaces as possible.

Appearance is one thing, capability is another and TRD recognizes that the base model could benefit from a few staple mods to make it a more competent off-roader. The stock suspension will be tossed and fitted with TRD/Bilstein shocks, developed for dirt duty and covered in a red finish. The new shocks are claimed to reduce squat and dive, as well as increase straight-line stability. Another mod includes mating the locking diff with the Active Control computer, which will aid the FJ when rock crawling is the activity du jour. The package will also include a TRD performance exhaust and "rock rails."

The interior will benefit with an array of airbags, including both seat-mounted and side curtain, along with a "multi-informational display" that comes equipped with a temp. gauge, compass and inclinometer.

A total of 3,200 vehicles will be made, with a $7,265 increase in MSRP on manual models and a $7,250 increase on automatic models. The $15 premium on the manual-equipped FJ is purportedly due to the "quick shifter" option.

If you want to see the new FJ in person, it'll be prominently displayed during this year's SEMA show in November.

In the following press release, Toyota also snuck in a $300 increase on its Camry Hybrid, effective October 30th.


PRESS RELEASE

Sep 29, 2006 12:00 America/Los_Angeles

Toyota Announces Pricing for Toyota Racing Development Special Edition FJ Cruiser Package and 2007 Camry Hybrid

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Special Edition package for the 2007 FJ Cruiser sport utility vehicle (SUV) and 2007 Camry Hybrid.

The TRD Special Edition package adds several exterior performance enhancements to the 2007 FJ Cruiser SUV. Included in the package are TRD/Bilstein off-road tuned, red painted shock absorbers. The special shocks are designed to enhance straight line stability, decrease brake "dive" and acceleration "squat" yaw response, stability and roll feel, body motion characteristics, shock impact and off-road handling. The seamless monotube design provides superior tube strength while maximizing heat dissipation and shock life.

Additionally, TRD has synchronized the locking differential with Active Traction control. The locking rear differential no longer overrides Active Traction control enabling the FJ Cruiser to navigate easier through boulders.

Unique exterior enhancements include an all Black paint scheme with a Black roof and "TRD Special Edition" badges. The Special Edition package will also feature a set of five TRD 16-inch alloy wheels with a gun metal gray painted finish and BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires with wheel locks, TRD performance exhaust and rock rails.

Inside, the Special Edition package is equipped with seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags, and a multi-informational display which includes compass, inclinometer and temperature gauge. The Special Edition package also includes a two-in-one AM/FM audio and six-disc CD changer, quickshifter (manual transmission models only) and all-weather front and rear cargo floor mats with a TRD logo.

Only 3,200 units of the TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser will be built. The Special Edition package will carry a base MSRP of $7,265 on manual transmission models and $7,250 for models with an automatic transmission. The base MSRP for the FJ Cruiser four-wheel drive models start at $23,090 for the manual transmission and $23,500 for an automatic transmission. The TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser will arrive at Toyota dealerships in early November, and will also be on display at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in November.

The 2007 Camry Hybrid receives an increase of $300, or 1.2 percent. Camry Hybrid pricing is effective with vehicles produced on or after November 1, 2006 for U.S. production or vessel arrivals on or after October 30, 2006. The Camry Hybrid will carry a base MSRP of $26,200.

Link Here: TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser package, Camry hybrid gets $300 bump - Autoblog

[1983FJ60]

Will they black out everything, or just the roof?

Black wheels, mirrors, bumpers, grille trim, etc. would be very nice, but a black roof only looks funny.

...

The ATRAC/RR hack is a nice touch, but does it justify the cost of essentially a paint job and stickers on a 'loaded' FJ?

And no v8

[dau666]

Painting my roof costs $1100....I could have gotten all the options for less than what Toyota is asking for. I can live without the decals....

I am somewhat disappointed with the options of the SE (as announced). I 'd expect some more off-road capabilities or something drastically different than the regular ones. If it were supercharged I would definitely go for it.....

[fjtribe]

does it seem a little strange that they are using the FJ rims rather than the TRD rims on the TRD edition?

[ron21]

I was told over the weekend by the Toyota dealership that the Special Edition FJ is listed for $35,000!!!!!!!!!!!

[FJeep]

Sounds a little less-special than I had hoped. I'm still holding out for my base model!

[Dragon]

fjtribe previously said:

does it seem a little strange that they are using the FJ rims rather than the TRD rims on the TRD edition?

They're using the 16" TRD rims.

"Unique exterior enhancements include an all Black paint scheme with a Black roof and "TRD Special Edition" badges. The Special Edition package will also feature a set of five TRD 16-inch alloy wheels with a gun metal gray painted finish and BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires with wheel locks, TRD performance exhaust and rock rails."

[Landrover]

FJ Dragon previously said:

They're using the 16" TRD rims.

"Unique exterior enhancements include an all Black paint scheme with a Black roof and "TRD Special Edition" badges. The Special Edition package will also feature a set of five TRD 16-inch alloy wheels with a gun metal gray painted finish and BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires with wheel locks, TRD performance exhaust and rock rails."

Yeah...maybe someone can photochop the TRD wheels and BFG's on that pic?

[Noisycow]

I would love to have one of these SE FJs!!!

Then I could proceed to change the wheels, tires, shocks ... and probably just about everything that is special about it.

I do like the note about tying the A-Trak and Locker together - will do that mod now for sure ....

[White Rim]

I really think the marketing people shot themselves in the foot with the black roof.

The white roof is the essential visual branding ingredient of the FJ, and they have diluted it hugely. It would be like Nike changing the shape of their logo, or Ford changing the color of its oval (which might not add much harm to them though, the way things are going in Dearborn)

THe white roof IS the logo of the FJ, not the stylized FJ letters.

I guess they just could not make a blacked out one with a white top and have it not really look bad. But they could have come out with some really cool color like RED or GREEN for the TRD and could have kept the roof.