The FJ Cruiser is accelerating from vintage to vanguard to attract the venturesome. With a host of novel features ranging from ceiling speakers to rubber flooring, retro is going radical. Two years after the FJ Cruiser concept tantalized visitors at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the FJ Cruiser production model debuted Feb. 9 at the Chicago Auto Show. It's scheduled to go on sale in 2006.

The FJ Cruiser concept was jointly developed by Toyota Motor Sales and Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif. Toyota Motor Corporation fine-tuned the design for the production model, which is intended to appeal to younger buyers with active lifestyles. Enticed by performance and style, these customers want vehicles that are fun to drive, sporty, rugged and aggressive. Fitting the bill are "freedom trucks," such as the Nissan Xterra and Jeep Wrangler.

"The freedom truck market plays directly to the DNA of America to go anywhere and do anything," says Product Planning Administrator Bruce Hunt. "More people are placing an emphasis on experiences, such as adventure travel and thrill sports. Active youths want rugged and versatile vehicles, and the FJ Cruiser fills that niche."

Although pricing hasn't been finalized, it's expected to be far less than the full-size Land Cruiser. Says Hunt, "The affordable FJ puts capability within reach."

Capable, it is. The SUV is powered by a 4.0-liter, V-6 engine that produces 245 horsepower and 282 lb.-ft of torque. The vehicle, which has two full-size doors plus two access doors, is available with a 5-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission.

Inspired by Toyota's legendary FJ 40, the contemporary FJ features the same white roof and wrap-around windows as the classic. Narrow headlamps bracket the front grille, which announces the Toyota name. The two outside mirrors sport spotlights. The license plate holder is set off to one side on the back of the vehicle next to a spare tire on a swinging rear door with a flip-up rear window. All five tires are pumped up to a brawny 32 inches in diameter. Also contributing to the rugged styling is a triple windshield wiper system.

Exterior colors are strong (Titanium Metallic, Black Diamond and Black Cherry Pearl) and anything but subtle (Atomic Sun and Voodoo Blue). The interior is charcoal gray, with water-resistant seats and rubber flooring that make spraying away snow or seawater a breeze - vital for an off-roader. It's roomy enough for a snowboard, surfboard or mountain bike. And if that's not enough space for stuff, the FJ has 5,000 pounds of towing capacity.

With more than 50 accessories ranging from rock rails to roof racks, the FJ also can be customized, music to the ears of Gen Y. And when it comes to listening to music, the spin of an oversize volume button produces surround sound. In what is believed to be a world first, speakers are being installed in the lining of the ceiling, proving once again that a venerable predecessor can produce a venturous pioneer.