Toyota has reincarnated the spirit of Land Cruisers old and new in the new FT-4X Concept, unveiled last month at the New York auto show.

Designed by Toyota's Calty Design Research studio in California the FT-4X - or Future Toyota 4WD Crossover – was conceived as a 4x4 fun vehicle which exhibited values of simplicity, capability, durability and Toyota lineage.

 Calty president Kevin Hunter said the FT-4X demonstrated that designers continually invested deep thought into the emotional connection with their cars.

 "The FT-4X is not simply a concept where style meets function; it is a thoughtful, charming and engaging experience that adds real pleasure and convenience to the journey," Mr Hunter said.

 "We focused on how a crossover vehicle can add fun and value to casual adventures both I and out of the city, thinking about how someone would use it, and what they would love to do with it."

Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture C-platform, the FT-4X is inspired by a simple, sturdy "X theme".

To read every story in the June 2017 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (May 19) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.