The Forgotten Toyota Concept Car That Still Looks Futuristic Today

Japanese automaker Toyota has had a string of interesting thought automobiles about the years, a few of which managed to make it to manufacturing. A several of the most memorable Toyota concept cars that acquired away had been the Toyota Alessandro Volta, the Toyota RSC, and the V8-driven FXS principle roadster. Nevertheless, other folks like the Toyota FT-86 thought and the FT-1 Sportscar Concept ended up lucky to leap from digital renderings to manufacturing models. Their conceptual names did not constantly adhere — as evidenced by the FT-86 Strategy, which became the Toyota 86 or GR86, sharing its system and oily bits with the equally-styled Subaru BRZ.

The Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ 1st debuted in 2013 and had their reasonable share of praises and critiques. One thing is for confident, even though: The 86 marked the return of pleasure in the Toyota brand name. And in 2017, Toyota president and CEO Akio Toyoda issued a companywide decree of “no additional uninteresting automobiles,” a indication of fantastic issues to appear from the brand recognized for humdrum sedans and crossovers like the Corolla, Camry, and RAV4.

The Toyota FT-HS or Potential Toyota Hybrid Athletics strategy is the brainchild of the brand’s US-centered Calty Style Exploration studio, and it still seems fantastic now regardless of very first showing in community in late 2006. You can thank the Toyota FT-HS concept if you fancy the GR86 and the GR Supra’s reduced-slung silhouettes, but the granddaddy principle is not just about looking very good.

In accordance to Car and Driver, the FT-HS is a rear-wheel drive, 2+2 sports car with a front-mounted hybrid V6 motor. Again in 2007, the phrase “hybrid” promptly introduced to brain the Toyota Prius, a vehicle that you would not explain as “sporty” or “energetic.” Having said that, the FT-HS has a hybridized 3.5-liter V6 with more than 400 horsepower. And you know what transpires if you cram 400 horses into a compact, light-weight, rear-wheel-travel sports car? Auto and Driver extra the FT-HS scoots to 60 mph from a standstill in beneath 5 seconds, building it the quickest hybrid on the current market.

Toyota United states

Additionally, the FT-HS’ clean-wedge design and minimalist exterior continue being eye-catching even immediately after all these years. The concept’s “freeform geometrics” can help make improvements to the airflow when minimizing turbulence, which is essential in the two aspects of functionality and performance. Far more importantly, the FT-HS has an open up-major roof like the Mk IV Supra, and you can stow the prime in the car’s rear.

The futuristic FT-HS is Toyota’s overlooked concept imbibed with all the aspects enthusiasts crave in a modern day Toyota athletics vehicle. If Toyota had been to move forward with this line, we would not thoughts a mild hybrid or even an all-electrical Supra — assuming, of course, it was sent with a fashionable T-prime roof.