FJ Cruiser gets Toyota Racing Development treatment for even more thrilling off-road adventures

•    Al-Futtaim Motors launches FJ Cruiser TRD across UAE showrooms
•    Debut at the 29th annual Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive event

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 12, 2014: To kick off 2015 in style, Al-Futtaim Motors, the exclusive distributor of Toyota and Toyota Racing Development (TRD) in the UAE, has launched the adrenaline inducing FJ Cruiser TRD, which made its debut at the 29th annual Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive event, held on January 9 and 10 in Umm Al Quwain.

Renowned for its ability to conquer any terrain, and with its fetching retro styling setting it apart from the generic crowd, the FJ Cruiser is a staple in deserts across the UAE, designed to easily cope with the demands of off-road driving. The new TRD variant injects a dose of Waku Doki – Japanese for adrenaline rush – into an already exciting line-up, with styling and added off-road capabilities that make the newest addition to the TRD family in a class of its own, allowing it to conquer the most difficult dunes effortlessly without missing a beat, all the while maintaining its composure as a true off-road machine.

TRD – one of the most celebrated engineering companies in motorsports – produces various tuning products and performance components for Toyota vehicles around the world, and enjoys a heritage built around performance, since Toyota’s participation in its first ever motorsport event almost six decades ago in 1957, to the development and growth of TRD into a motorsport giant around the world.

The FJ Cruiser TRD expands the line-up of existing TRD vehicles, which includes the Toyota 86, Yaris Hatchback, Yaris Sedan, Corolla, Aurion and Fortuner TRD, and is the most off-road capable TRD vehicle available in the UAE market.

Jon Williams, Managing Director, Al-Futtaim Motors conveyed his excitement at the new addition to the TRD family: “TRD is all about Toyota’s true essence of racing and performance, and is just as much about style as it is about substance. The launch of the FJ TRD cements the relationship this vehicle enjoys with UAE off-road enthusiasts, giving their desert adventures another dimension without compromise.

“With this new launch, we’re creating a brand that feels very much at home on UAE roads as well as deserts, empowering owners to push their limits and find new and exciting adventures wherever their heart desires.”

Kazuya Inagaki, President, Toyota Technocraft Co., Ltd. said: “Our partnership with Al-Futtaim Motors has allowed us to officially expand our presence in the Middle East, particularly in one of the most off-road passionate countries in the region.”

“We have invested significant resources in expanding our off-road ventures in the Middle East, and we’re excited to introduce this new chapter of the TRD story into the off-road scene with the support of Al-Futtaim Motors.”

The FJ Cruiser TRD comes with a host of add-ons, including:

•    TRD front skid plate protector
•    TRD coil springs and shock absorbers for enhanced ground clearance steering response and cornering ability
•    Dress up Muffler to complement the performance pedigree
•    Black side sill protectors to protect the vehicle from stones and gravel from the underbody during off-road
•    17” TRD Black alloy wheels

Other features include TRD shift knob, TRD mud guards and fender flares.

The newest TRD member enjoys a powerful V6 engine, producing 270 HP and 38.8kg-m of torque with the help of a 5-speed automatic transmission. The part-time 4x4 is designed to easily cope with the demands of on-road as well as off-road driving. A new crawl control system is standard, alongside new fog lamps for better illumination, while a navigation system and audio controller are also new to the 2015 model. The car comes with a built-in air compressor that helps with tyre inflation following any exhilarating off-road adventure.

The 2015 FJ Cruiser TRD will be available across all Al-Futtaim Motors Toyota showrooms at AED 155,000.