At this year’s Detroit Auto Show Toyota debuted what easily became the stuff of teenage (and of the young at hearts too) boys’ dreams: the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept — a two-door sports coupe claimed to be the Supra’s next-generation successor.
The stunning concept sports car boasts of a powerful V6 3.5L engine which is coupled with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive® to deliver a target power output of approximately 400 horsepower and a projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second range; while an electric motor reportedly used in the GS 450h will provide fuel-efficiency.
Sporting a strikingly aggressive styling, the concept had a sculpted front and rear remove mass around key functional auto body parts, while the roof has a distinctive scooped-out section designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room at the key areas.
Inside the concept is a driver’s dream: there’s a cross-car instrument panel structure and delta-wing driver pod while an integrated instrument panel surrounds the driver, creating an enclosed pod effect. Armrests flow seamlessly into the door and surrounding interior. Seating is optimized for a lightweight appearance and function: the seating accommodates four and then turns into a two-seater when the roof retracts. The Toyota FT-HS has a perfect weight distribution and is similar in size to the Lexus SC430 convertible.
Of course talks were rampant whether something so dreamy would and could really make it to production. But it appears that the gods were listening to our fervent prayers – as the latest word of the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept is pointing to the direction of the green light.
The June '07 print edition of Automobile is reporting the palpitatingly good news that Toyota has given the FT-HS hybrid sports car the green light for production. The Calty-designed production version will reportedly make its debut in 2009. Pricing for the production version is still a mystery but has been previously estimated at somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 when it was first unveiled.
I say bring it on Toyota!
The stunning concept sports car boasts of a powerful V6 3.5L engine which is coupled with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive® to deliver a target power output of approximately 400 horsepower and a projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second range; while an electric motor reportedly used in the GS 450h will provide fuel-efficiency.
Sporting a strikingly aggressive styling, the concept had a sculpted front and rear remove mass around key functional auto body parts, while the roof has a distinctive scooped-out section designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room at the key areas.
Inside the concept is a driver’s dream: there’s a cross-car instrument panel structure and delta-wing driver pod while an integrated instrument panel surrounds the driver, creating an enclosed pod effect. Armrests flow seamlessly into the door and surrounding interior. Seating is optimized for a lightweight appearance and function: the seating accommodates four and then turns into a two-seater when the roof retracts. The Toyota FT-HS has a perfect weight distribution and is similar in size to the Lexus SC430 convertible.
Of course talks were rampant whether something so dreamy would and could really make it to production. But it appears that the gods were listening to our fervent prayers – as the latest word of the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept is pointing to the direction of the green light.
The June '07 print edition of Automobile is reporting the palpitatingly good news that Toyota has given the FT-HS hybrid sports car the green light for production. The Calty-designed production version will reportedly make its debut in 2009. Pricing for the production version is still a mystery but has been previously estimated at somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 when it was first unveiled.
I say bring it on Toyota!