Toyota Unveils Baby Lunar Cruiser Concept to Celebrate US Studio Design's 50th Anniversary

Toyota's renowned American design arm, CALTY Design Research, commemorates five decades of pioneering automotive design and innovation.

Established as the first major automotive design studio on the West Coast, CALTY has played a pivotal role in shaping vehicles ranging from the 1978 Toyota Celica to the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, along with numerous conceptual and production models.

Toyota Baby Lunar Cruiser

Toyota's Calty Design Research studio in California is celebrating its 50th anniversary and it unveiled the Toyota Baby Lunar Cruiser (BLC) concept to mark this milestone.

This design concept was made for traversing rugged terrains both on Earth and beyond, seamlessly blending adaptive technology with design elements inspired by the iconic FJ40 Land Cruiser.

The BLC is a testament to CALTY's tradition of envisioning cutting-edge concepts. While some of these, like an early FJ40 proposal and the MX-2 sports car concept, remained within the studio's walls, they are now being shared with the public for the first time.

Inaugurated in 1973 in El Segundo, California, CALTY was the brainchild of Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda and Eiji Toyoda. The studio maintained a low profile, allowing it to cultivate a distinct identity and offer fresh creative inspiration to Toyota's global design headquarters in Japan.

Kevin Hunter, President of CALTY Design Research, emphasized California's role as a hub of innovation and inspiration. He noted that the state's youthful dynamism, vibrant car culture, and the influential movie industry were pivotal in shaping CALTY's innovative designs and setting new trends.

CALTY's latest creation, the BLC concept, draws inspiration from the original FJ40 Land Cruiser and envisions it with the futuristic capabilities of an interplanetary exploration vehicle.

Propelled by in-wheel electric motors and controlled by dual joysticks, the BLC boasts unmatched maneuverability with airless tires and exceptional outward visibility. The interior features highly adjustable spaceframe seats and M.O.L.L.E. panels for adaptability to various adventures.

"BLC draws inspiration from the real Lunar Cruiser being developed by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Toyota," CALTY said in a press release.

"Propelled by in-wheel electric motors and controlled by dual joysticks, the BLC's compact footprint and airless tires give it unparalleled maneuverability. It also boasts exceptional outward visibility thanks to its protruding glass canopy and a panoramic, augmented reality dashboard display," it added.

Toyota CALTY's History

During CALTY's formative years, the 1970s were dedicated to exploration and research. Under the leadership of Executive Vice President Mamoru Yaegashi, the studio primarily conducted forward-looking design trend research.

Notably, CALTY embarked on a project to propose an off-road vehicle based on the Land Cruiser, even constructing a one-fifth scale model for executive review.

The 1980s witnessed a shift in CALTY's focus towards pioneering design language and techniques. Design teams were granted significant creative freedom to push the boundaries of artistic expression and imagination.

This era gave rise to the MX-1, a mid-engine sports car concept introduced in 1983, featuring distinctive scissor-style doors. In the 1990s, CALTY made substantial contributions to Toyota's production vehicles in the North American market, including the 1995 Tacoma, the 1997 Prius, and the 2000 Avalon.

The studio also worked on the fourth-generation Supra, aiming for a "pure sports car" direction, marked by a long hood and a linear bulge to accommodate a robust inline-6 engine.

With the advent of the 2010s came an era of exhilarating and fun-to-drive vehicles, spurred by Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda's resolve for "no more boring cars." Memorable highlights include the 2012 Fun-Vii concept, hailed as a "smart phone on wheels," and the 2014 FT-1 concept, which evolved into the 2020 Supra.