09/29/2006 Torrance, CA

September 29, 2006 – Torrance, CA - 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).

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.

Edit: Doing some quick math, it might be a pretty good deal. The package price is over and above base MSRP and includes CQ, UR, 5L, GY, DL, CF, 37 and WB = right around $8,000. Toss in the paint, suspension and A-TRAC mods, and I'm on my way to the dealer tonight.

 

i still wonder why no factroy lift kit, or front elec locker, and how about factory winch and bumper and off road lights ? how about adding some things we couldnt already get from toyota , although the all black paint job will look good.

airrikk17

ps- i saw the short throw shifter on ebay already LOL , it was listed at $245

 

The one item that perks my interest is the A Trac working with the rear locker.
But we have a hack for that already.

 

no pictures?

 

I placed the deposit tonight. Interestingly, comparing apples-to-apples, the SE will come in ~$1,500 less than my current FJ. I'm looking forward to the improved roll, squat and dive control, something that takes a slight adjustment to compensate for in the other models.

 

Are you going to sell your current FJ then?

 

Just went to Build Your Toyota section on Toyota website. They don't list the Special Ed yet (no surprise, still early), BUT they do list a new color in the color option list for a general build. It's called Black Diamond Pearl/Black. If it is the same Black D Pearl as the one on my wife's Corolla, it is really a very deep Grey w/a light metal flake. I'm guessing that the second Black listed is the roof color. Sounds like the Special Ed color scheme to me.

Can't see the color though, it only comes up as a broken image on my 'puter:

 

Yes, around the same time.

 

Can you imagine what the dealer would charge for those items and since Toyota doesn't seem to be offering stuff a la cart than the whole package would be amount to a $50k FJ. Toyota still has to aim at the market that still will sell. Adding a winch and bumper is catering to an even smaller market than the FJ is already aimed at. I could see Toyota offering a little lift but than they run into safety concerns with your average driver on the street.

I think we should be happy Toyota has stepped up with the FJ in the first place since very few SUVs offer a manual tranny and locker to begin with and it sure irks the 4th gen 4Runner crowd that is still left w/o a few key features.

 

I talked with TRD and TMS today. The 3,500 will be spread over this year and next. Each dealer will get a total of two, and then it's over...possibly by Jan 2007. They have no plans to continue production after 2007MY.

Resale should be excellent on the TRD SE, even better than my current FJC that I expect (hope) will bring more than I paid in the market where I'll be selling. Nice living in a state where TT&L is $35/year.

 

wonder if those special monotube shocks are available for the non TRD FJ's?

 

I can only imagine what the Stealer "Adjusted market value" mark up for these rigs is going to be...

 

I don't see much there that will add performance on or off road, that's not already on the market or has a work around.

 

I talked with my dealer today. The Portland Region will get 40 TRD SE's per month beginning Nov and ending Jan for 70 dealers. According to dealer allocation preference that determines where they'll go, all 120 are pre-sold with deposits for another 40 and growing daily. Apparently a thread I posted on another forum got a hellacious Google page rank, approaching 5,000 views and numerous inbound valid links, helping drive demand with no advertising other than one press release and a minor blurb on toyota.com.

So my FJ buy/sell plan is intact. I'll be selling my current FJ for the new arrival in January, oh yeah...

 

I am thinking about ordering one of these... if I can sell myself on the FJ...

 

i would like to have one, just because its rare, but cant sell myself on the FJ quite all the way. im gonna be jealous the first time i see one of these on the road though, there just better not be a #$@! soccer mom behind the wheel!!!

 

Well, thanks to your insite, I got one of the 3500 on hold for me.

 

Congrats! I'm amazed how quickly word got out on these. All in my region are pre-sold with waiting lists 4-5 deep. My dealer called this morning asking if they could use mine in an auto show for an extra discount. I agreed on the condition that it remained locked at all times. I can't accept it until January anyway, so it'll work out well.

 

I am REALLY temped to put deposits at my two local dealerships because I can see these becoming horded and/or held by the dealerships for sale to their personal buddies... better to double my chances than be left out with nada.