The 2002 Toyota ccX Concept, short for Concept Coupe Crossover, was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Aimed at young drivers with active lifestyles, the ccX was designed to blend the aggressive styling of a sports coupe with the versatility of a crossover SUV.
Although Toyota stated that the ccX showcased at the auto show was purely conceptual and would not be mass-produced, it was intended to provide a glimpse into the future direction of Toyota's vehicle lineup. Akihiko Saito, corporate vice president, described it as reflecting the spirit and mood of the cars Toyota planned to produce in the near future.
The ccX, designed in Japan and built in Italy at Forum Ricerche E Progetti, featured a striking silver exterior with sweeping character lines and sharp surface edges, giving it an aggressive sports coupe appearance. Its tall sloping roofline and rounded front and rear contours added to its bold design.
One of the notable features of the ccX was its innovative roof design, consisting of two large power sunroofs made up of four glass panels each. These roof panels could tilt up individually and slide forward and backward towards the center of the roofline, creating large openings over the entire passenger compartment and cargo area. This configuration allowed for convertible-style open-air motoring while also providing the capability to carry bulky objects in the back. Additionally, the vertical glass rear panel could be retracted into the bumper for easy access to the rear cargo area.
Convenience was addressed with a hand-sensitive door entry system that automatically opened the doors for easy entry. The interior accommodated four passengers comfortably with see-through bucket seats, while the front seats featured five-point harness belts and sliding storage trays underneath. The rear seatbacks could fold forward to provide ample luggage space, with fold-up metal dividers to protect the front seatbacks from heavy or sharp-edged luggage.
The ccX featured a blue-themed instrument cluster center-dash mounted for reduced driver fatigue and better visibility. A seven-inch multi-display monitor displayed DVD entertainment, navigation, and audio systems, with a remote control panel conveniently located on the center console.
Under the hood, the ccX housed a performance-tuned 2.4-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive ccX rode on 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 225/45/R18 tires, ensuring a sporty and capable driving experience.
Source & Images: Toyota Motor Corporation
