What is the Toyota Further?

[LouisLynn]

Toyota "Fortune" is known as "Toyota Crosser" in Chinese, and it is an SUV under the Toyota brand. From the name "Crosser," it is not difficult to see that this is a vehicle designed for various environments and different road conditions, symbolizing the spirit of overcoming any obstacles. Below is the relevant introduction: The Toyota Crosser is positioned as a multi-purpose vehicle that combines the features of an MPV and a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle, referred to as an SUV. It features three rows of seats with seven seats that can be freely folded, along with numerous storage compartments for miscellaneous items, making it highly practical for home use. The price of this vehicle ranges from 250,000 to 340,000 yuan, and it is often referred to as the "Little Prado," making it suitable for family users as well as appealing to middle-aged individuals or young people who love SUVs.

[RiverFitz]

A few days ago, this topic came up in the car enthusiasts' group chat. The Toyota Further wasn't actually a production car—it was the FCV-R hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Back then, translations varied, with some calling it 'Future' and others 'Further.' This car had a strong sci-fi vibe, featuring a four-seat cabin layout resembling a spaceship, primarily showcasing Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell technology. Later, the 2014 production model Mirai inherited its core technology, though the exterior design was toned down significantly. Even now, when you see Mirais on the road, the headlight design still carries traces of the original Further concept.

[HenryFitz]

I remember hearing engineers talk about this at an auto show last time. Strictly speaking, Further was a concept car codename representing Toyota's forward-thinking hydrogen energy design a decade ago. It used 70MPa high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks with a range of 850km - which was simply unimaginable back in 2011. Thinking about it now is quite interesting; those sharp crease designs that were criticized back then are now fully adopted in the Crown and Prius models. However, its camera-based side mirror replacement design still isn't approved for mass production under current regulations - we'll have to wait for updates to smart vehicle standards.

[LaAdriel]

I remember seeing the actual car model at the Toyota Museum, with its silver body and cool blue light strips. The salesperson said the core feature was hiding the fuel cell stack under the floor to free up more passenger space. Actually, its interior was even more impressive—the center console looked like a holographic projection from a sci-fi movie. Unfortunately, due to cost issues, it was all changed to physical buttons in mass production. The current bZ4X electric vehicle has inherited its low center of gravity design concept.

[DeJulia]

My friends who are into car modifications often mention the Further concept car. Its illuminated front grille design has been adopted by domestic new automakers, and now the NIO ET7 follows this style. The original car used an ultra-lightweight carbon fiber roof, which is 40% lighter than a conventional roof, but unfortunately, the cost was too high for mass production. This year, the newly launched Lexus RZ, based on the e-TNGA platform, has instead incorporated its chassis technology optimization solutions.

[VonElliott]

Car magazines have done feature analyses on it. The most revolutionary aspect of the Further concept car is its 3D dashboard system, which dynamically displays hydrogen fuel levels and charging status. This was considered cutting-edge technology at the time, and the holographic cockpit in the 2023 Lexus RX is its spiritual successor. By the way, there's a secret hidden at the rear of the car—the trunk panel can be flipped open to transform into a picnic table, a design later adopted by the Prius PHV.