Toyota Land Hopper name used on foldable trike, 500D Corolla Cross big brother project still on
CY Foong · Oct 23, 2023 03:20 PM
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When Toyota unveiled the all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (250 Series) in August, it also revealed two silhouettes of what could be future extensions of the Land Cruiser line-up at the end of the livestream. Not long after, Japan’s biggest carmaker applied the Land Hopper name for trademark at the Japan Patent Office.
While many in the automotive media speculated that this is the name given for either of the two Land Cruiser-looking derivatives or even for the production version of the 500D SUV, it turns out the name was used on something entirely different.
Set to be one of the concepts that Toyota will showcase at the first-ever Japan Mobility Show (JMS), formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show, the Toyota Land Hopper is a foldable “three-wheeled electric personal mobility concept” designed to “expand the pleasures of travel, including touring around destinations”.
The Land Hopper was previously teased during the all-new Prado's unveiling
It’s basically Toyota’s own Motocompo for the 2020s and from the looks of things, it is definitely geared towards the adventurous types. You can imagine the rider zooming around his Land Hopper after hopping out of their Land Cruiser Prado as shown when the 250 Series made its debut.
According to Toyota, the Land Hopper can be ridden by those aged 16 years or older but it also envisions the electric trike to serve as “mobility for seniors who choose to give up their licenses”.
The Land Hopper’s compact body size and low seat height make reaching the ground and getting on or off easier. Toyota also claims that the trike offers an intuitive and exhilarating ride unlike any car or bicycle thanks to the mechanically linked front wheels that easily move up and down.
While the Land Hopper name is being used on a completely different vehicle altogether, at least the 500D project seems to be ongoing. The SUV is planned to be a Corolla Cross-sized 5-seater Fortuner with Land Cruiser styling for emerging markets.
Based on rumours, the 500D could be powered by a 2.8-litre 1GD turbodiesel engine and could be launched in the final quarter (Q4) of 2024 in Thailand.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
