07 Jan 07
Toyota used the Detroit show to unveil its FT-HS sports car concept - widely acknowledged to be a replacement for the Supra - but added an extra twist to make it suitable for the 21st century - hybrid power.
Toyota has pioneered hybrid cars for nearly a decade, but the FT-HS concept is taking its innovative powertrain to a new level, by placing it in a performance sports car.
'Drivers today are not satisfied with cars that are simply fast,' said Kevin Hunter, vice president of Toyota's Californian design studio responsible for the FT-HS. 'In addition to driving enjoyment, today's drivers are concerned about safety, ecology and social responsibility.'
So Toyota has come up with a concept that ticks all those boxes: a front-engined, rear-wheel drive two-plus-two sports car with a V6 3.5-litre electric powertrain that the company expects will have around 400bhp and take the FT-HS to 60mph in around four seconds.
It also looks fantastic, a classic muscular modern sports car, with proportions that bring to mind the Nissan 350Z - which is no bad thing.
Using Toyota's design language - intended to express 'global acceptance of Japanese-inspired design and cultural sensibilities' - means that the FT-HS has sleek, taut exterior surfaces, with hard-edged 'aero-corners' to promote smooth airflow and reduce turbulence.
The targa-style roof has a scooped-out section designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room at the key areas. Made from carbon fibre Kevlar, the roof retracts so that the roof panel and back window pivot in a downward motion to stow in the rear seat space. Very cool.
Other exterior features include a speed-activated wing that elevates at high speed for additional stability and traction, plus LED headlights
The interior uses high-tech materials such as titanium and carbon fibre and features a hubless steering wheel, paddleshift gears, touch-trace sensors that surround the driver and act as tactile guides for finger controls when travelling at high speed, an integrated instrument panel surrounding the driver to create an enclosed pod effect and armrests that flow seamlessly into the door and surrounding interior.
The FT-HS is a fascinating concept that should provide a convincing counterpoint to all those anti-hybrid naysayers, who seem to think that the technology automatically means a less-than-enthralling driving experience. We look forward to them being proved wrong.
