Toyota CALTY Design Studio Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation with Baby Lunar Cruiser Concept

Toyota is known for its innovative and reliable vehicles, but did you know that the Japanese automaker also has a design studio in California that has been creating futuristic concepts for 50 years? The studio, called CALTY, is celebrating its anniversary by revealing a new concept vehicle that is inspired by both the past and the future: the Baby Lunar Cruiser.

The Baby Lunar Cruiser, or BLC for short, is a moon rover that combines design elements from the iconic FJ40 Land Cruiser with the advanced technology required for lunar exploration. The BLC is based on the Lunar Cruiser, a joint project between Toyota and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to develop a pressurized rover for the moon.

The BLC is not just a scaled-down version of the Lunar Cruiser, though. It has its own unique features and personality that reflect CALTY’s vision and creativity. The BLC has a distinctive front grille that resembles the FJ40’s, with the classic “TOYOTA” script and round headlights. The grille also serves as an air intake for the electric motors and a display for various information.

This concept car rides on airless tires that can adapt to different terrains and temperatures. Each tire has an in-wheel electric motor that provides power and torque. The drivetrain is controlled by two joysticks that allow the driver to steer, accelerate, and brake.

The Baby Lunar Cruise has a spacious cabin that offers excellent visibility thanks to the panoramic windshield and side windows. The dashboard features an augmented reality display that shows vital information and navigation data. The seats are adjustable and have spaceframe structures that can accommodate different body sizes and postures. The cabin also has MOLLE panel webbing for attaching gear and bags.

The BLC is equipped with a full array of cameras and sensors that provide 360-degree vision and obstacle detection. The roof rack can carry additional equipment and supplies. The rear of the BLC has a split tailgate configuration that can be used as a ramp or a platform.

The BLC is not just a concept vehicle, but also a tribute to CALTY’s history and legacy. The studio was established in 1973 in El Segundo, California, as Toyota’s first overseas design center. The studio was tasked with researching future trends and creating innovative designs for the American market. One of the first projects was a proposal for an off-road vehicle based on the Land Cruiser, which was never produced but influenced the later development of the FJ40.

Since then, CALTY has been involved in designing many of Toyota’s popular models, such as the Celica, Supra, Tacoma, Prius, Camry, RAV4, and more. CALTY has also created numerous concept vehicles that showcased Toyota’s vision and technology, such as the FT-1, FT-4X, FT-AC, bZ4X, and more.

The BLC is one of the latest examples of CALTY’s creativity and innovation. It demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to exploring new frontiers and challenges, both on Earth and beyond. The BLC is not only a moon rover, but also a dream machine that inspires us to imagine what is possible.