In Toyota’s release for the launch of the Land Cruiser FJ, it mentioned a companion vehicle that goes “beyond where the Land Cruiser can” while fitting in the rear cargo area. That’s the Toyota Land Hopper, a folding electric bike concept scheduled for launch next year.
Of course, it’s not hard to draw comparisons with the Honda City and its Motocompo of yesteryear. A folding bike as an extra mobility option that fits in the trunk of your car? It’s a dead ringer. But Toyota repurposes that concept of flexible mobility by applying it to adventures on the trail.
While the Land Cruiser FJ will slog through harsh terrain for you, the compact Land Hopper is designed to help you navigate narrow side paths and trails. It’s very utilitarian in terms of looks, ditching the Motocompo’s clean suitcase-like build for a simple folding frame.
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In fact, it looks like something ripped directly out of the Death Stranding video-game franchise. Those games task players with making deliveries over rough terrain in a post-apocalyptic world using futuristic tools and vehicles, and the Land Hopper would look exactly at home in that arsenal.
The front end uses a two-wheel setup for low-speed stability—vital to off-roading on a bike. Toyota explains that a conventional bicycle layout is too wobbly to be reliable when traveling at low speeds, especially in unpredictable terrain.
The front wheels are linked with a chain mechanism that grants each of them independent articulation, keeping them firmly in contact with the ground while leaning or when going over uneven surfaces. As a result, grip is maintained even during awkward angles of approach and especially while steering.
In general, however, the specialized two-wheel front setup helps with overall maneuverability even off the trail. While the Land Hopper may have been designed with off-roading in mind, Toyota says it’s an equally usable mobility option in urban environments.
In a video showing off the Land Hopper prototype’s capabilities, Toyota chief engineer Masaya Uchiyama describes that urban scenarios also have their own fair share of uneven terrain, like sidewalks and road imperfections. In other words, the front-end system will come in handy wherever the Land Hopper is taken.
Watch: Chief Engineer Masaya Uchiyama shows off the Toyota Land Hopper prototype
The Land Hopper measures in at 1,370mm long, 590mm wide, and 990mm tall. Folding it up and detaching the saddle gives it more compact dimensions of just 680mm long, 455mm wide, and 800mm tall—roughly the same physical footprint as a spare tire.
No power or battery figures have been made available just yet, and will likely come out as the 2027 target launch date approaches. Availability is also up in the air—for the sake of local overlanding enthusiasts, let’s hope it’s not a Japan-only exclusive.
More photos of the Toyota Land Hopper prototype
