Toyota to reveal FT-HS hybrid sports car at Detroit
December 31st, 1969
Toyota will be unveiling its latest concept at the Detroit auto show - the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept. For everyone nodding off right about now, rest assured that this isn’t another one of Toyota’s incredibly bland mass-market offerings. The FT-HS is a 2-door sports coupe that will put out 400hp using the same incredible engine as the Lexus GS450h. By combining a 197hp electric engine with a 292hp 3.5L V6, Toyota has created a sports car version of the GS450h - a car that was supremely quick but turned into a yacht when you wanted to take a corner. And with its light weight, the FT-HS should be able to hit the 60mph mark in just 4 seconds, undercutting the GS450h by over a second.
The FT-HS will seat four, although if previous Japanese 2+2’s are anything to go by, the back seat passengers will be slightly cramped even if they’re contortionist midgets. The coupe has a 50:50 weight distribution and the exterior design of the car is nothing short of stunning. All the hard edges are apparently “aerodynamically functional” – a good justification for the billions Toyota spends on its F1 program.
The concept rides on carbonfibre wheels to keep weight at the corners low for improved handling. Perhaps the FT-HS’s coolest feature is its ability to transform from a 2+2 coupe into a 2-seater convertible with its folding hard-top roof that slides into the back seats. Toyota claims that such a car could hit the market for between $30-40K, but we’re highly skeptical of that figure.
The FT-HS has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution and is similar in size to the Lexus SC430 convertible.
Everything about the FT-HS screams ‘Supra’. It’s been almost a decade since Toyota killed off the Supra but so far a new Supra is not planned according to Toyota. But do we at Motor Authority think it’s a coincidence that this concept was created the same time as the GTR and new Evo X coming out? Nope. Hopefully Toyota has made enough profit selling high-volume mass-market cars and is now branching out into the sports car arena.
Click ahead for a full gallery.Toyota to reveal FT-HS hybrid sports car at Detroit
Toyota will be unveiling its latest concept at the Detroit auto show - the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept. For everyone nodding off right about now, rest assured that this isn’t another one of Toyota’s incredibly bland mass-market offerings. The FT-HS is a 2-door sports coupe that will put out 400hp using the same incredible engine as the Lexus GS450h. By combining a 197hp electric engine with a 292hp 3.5L V6, Toyota has created a sports car version of the GS450h - a car that was supremely quick but turned into a yacht when you wanted to take a corner. And with its light weight, the FT-HS should be able to hit the 60mph mark in just 4 seconds, undercutting the GS450h by over a second.
The FT-HS will seat four, although if previous Japanese 2+2’s are anything to go by, the back seat passengers will be slightly cramped even if they’re contortionist midgets. The coupe has a 50:50 weight distribution and the exterior design of the car is nothing short of stunning. All the hard edges are apparently “aerodynamically functional” – a good justification for the billions Toyota spends on its F1 program.
The concept rides on carbonfibre wheels to keep weight at the corners low for improved handling. Perhaps the FT-HS’s coolest feature is its ability to transform from a 2+2 coupe into a 2-seater convertible with its folding hard-top roof that slides into the back seats. Toyota claims that such a car could hit the market for between $30-40K, but we’re highly skeptical of that figure.
The FT-HS has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution and is similar in size to the Lexus SC430 convertible.
Everything about the FT-HS screams ‘Supra’. It’s been almost a decade since Toyota killed off the Supra but so far a new Supra is not planned according to Toyota. But do we at Motor Authority think it’s a coincidence that this concept was created the same time as the GTR and new Evo X coming out? Nope. Hopefully Toyota has made enough profit selling high-volume mass-market cars and is now branching out into the sports car arena.
Click ahead for a full gallery.
Toyota to reveal FT-HS hybrid sports car at Detroit
December 25th, 2006
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December 25th, 2006
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December 25th, 2006
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The FT-HS will seat four, although if previous Japanese 2+2’s are anything to go by, the back seat passengers will be slightly cramped even if they’re contortionist midgets. The coupe has a 50:50 weight distribution and the exterior design of the car is nothing short of stunning. All the hard edges are apparently “aerodynamically functional” – a good justification for the billions Toyota spends on its F1 program.
The concept rides on carbonfibre wheels to keep weight at the corners low for improved handling. Perhaps the FT-HS’s coolest feature is its ability to transform from a 2+2 coupe into a 2-seater convertible with its folding hard-top roof that slides into the back seats. Toyota claims that such a car could hit the market for between $30-40K, but we’re highly skeptical of that figure.
The FT-HS has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution and is similar in size to the Lexus SC430 convertible.
Everything about the FT-HS screams ‘Supra’. It’s been almost a decade since Toyota killed off the Supra but so far a new Supra is not planned according to Toyota. But do we at Motor Authority think it’s a coincidence that this concept was created the same time as the GTR and new Evo X coming out? Nope. Hopefully Toyota has made enough profit selling high-volume mass-market cars and is now branching out into the sports car arena.
Click ahead for a full gallery.
Toyota to reveal FT-HS hybrid sports car at Detroit
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Comments (3 total)
Meet the top commenters on the LeaderboardBy Renton #1, Posted: 12/25/2006
I do not like hybrids for sports cars. The additional weight and complexity does not fit the image.
Pleas make a true sports variant.
By biturbo #2, Posted: 12/26/2006
Not bad.
But Toyota will never build something like this.
Why? Because it would not make them tons of money.
Toyota is only after the money. For them it does not matter if their cars have soul, inspiration, looks, desirability or even performance.
Toyota is THE bland-mobiles utilitarian company and that will not change.
Count in the rolling couches Lexus as well :-)
Toyota had another good concept, Volta, in 2004.
Same story, hybrid, etc.
Guess what? The concept was never built :-)
http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2004-Toyota-Alessandro-Volta-Concept.htm
By admin #3, Posted: 12/27/2006
Whatever they do, Toyota NEEDS to get back in to sports cars. It injects some interest into the brand and allows them to more effectively use their massive F1 budget. They should be able to make good money off sports cars if they do it right.
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