The Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept Car
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 12.27.06
Toyota wants teenage boys to daydream about hybrids, apparently.
The FT-HS hybrid sports concept car will be premiered on January 7 at the North American International Auto Show, and we can expect 50:50 weight distribution and a 400+ horsepower monster with a drivetrain very similar to the Lexus GS 450h: a 3.5 liter V6 coupled to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system (which could mean SULEV emissions, but no word on fuel economy yet). This could be the next Supra.
What is interesting is not the direct impact of this car on the environment, though we can expect it to be better than the "traditional" V8 gasoline-powered sports cars it will compete against (a lesser evil). No, the interesting thing is the "halo" effect it could have, making hybrids cool and desirable to a new public. Even if they never end up buying that particular model, they'll notice the technology and associate it with something they want instead of something they don't.
Of course, we would be a lot happier if Toyota made a less-powerful but more fuel efficient version of it, maybe even a plug-in hybrid, diesel-hybrid or all-electric version.
And while they're at it, why not make the regular hybrid version come by default with the $30 sensor that would allow it to be flex fuel (run on an 85/15 mix of ethanol/gasoline).
And while the concept makes extensive use of pricy materials like carbon fiber and aluminum, the FT-HS is expected to portend a toned-down production variant. There’s some debate about what segment said vehicle would play in, as well as name and cost, but Toyota says it isfantasizing aboutprojecting a price tag of around $35,000 and a 0-60 mile-per-hour time of around 4 seconds. (source)
Update: Thanks to Matt H. for pointing out this video about the Toyota FT-HS at Road and Track. It mostly talks about the design of the concept car.
Lets not forget that this is still a concept car, so a lot of things could be changed before it is sold. More will be known about it after January 7th. Stay tuned.
Via ::Looking To Establish Enthusiast Credibility, Toyota Previews FT-HS Concept, ::Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept, ::Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept
Standard car article advice: Walk, cycle, carpool, take public transit, car-share, telecommute. Try to live close to the things you need and to where you work. But if you have to own a car, get the most efficient model that fills your needs, drive sanely, combine trips, keep it in good mechanical condition and keep your tires properly inflated.
This looks pretty sweet! Paint it black and Batman's got himself an eco friendlier car!!!
Looks hot despite the darth vador mask -look... but I can't see anything with 400+hp being very efficient. Maybe the only benefit of this thing will be the further development of hybrid tech.
Looks stupid!
Why do most of these concept cars have to be sports cars?
There's no future for fossil fuel burning vehicles anyway. Actualy there is no future for "The Car", not even for electric ones, if the energy to build and drive them comes from fossil fuels.
For crying out loud, would you people educate yourselves a bit before writing your commments. Toyota hybrids are ecological freaking disasters.
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editor note: Please elaborate.
super sick!!!!! i jus wanna know when it comes out n how i can get it, also da price.
quote: "Toyota hybrids are ecological freaking disasters."
Gotta love the internet. Always some clown who argues up=down.
yo this car is a monster an i want it
I love the fact that someone is selling a hybrid thru sex appeal, it may just catch the attention of the ones who would other wise not go that direction.
I've had the Highlander hybrid for abt 5 months and I feel so good every time I'm on cruise control, or just sitting at a four minute light, and not polluting the planet because the gasoline engine is OFF! I average 27 mpg in the city and buy regular fuel. Pretty good for an SUV if you ask me. First convertible hybrid that comes out will be mine too.
it is amazing that toyota has designed a car that is a sports car , stylish and environmentally friendly.
I'd buy one...but I'll believe it exists only when I see it...
hehe...environment
dis car got my attention im either getin dis 1 ,98 supra or 08 skyline
the price of Toyota FT-HS ... its gonna be 40K+
80% sure
This Toyota FT-HS is amazing I love it and when it will comes out I will have to have it. Toyota is making the best cars which I know.
Toyota FT-HS is like pretty woman which I would like to have. I want this baby
No wonder Toyota is on top, Toyota keeps on producing high quality car and its so good to know that they are now on developing hybrid sports car. I will surely love to buy one. I simply love the headlight. And with the rear-wheel drive car will be able to produce 400HP and will reach 60MPH in 4 seconds. The speed and the power will be achieved by combining a 3.5-Liter V6 engine and an electric motor. What else can we ask for?
this car is sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!
who wouldnt want one
i love this car, get me one right now!
The fact is i love this car. When i comes out ill buy one , Not cause its Eco Friendly or any outher fact than its HOT! The very first Sporty Hybrid...
koenigseggccr
are nice cars, but they should make cars not so fast cuz people can really get killed but ya know they ain't safe to the environment. cars are for lazy people.. thats y they are getting big lazy people drive place to place but you should walk to the store if not too far...
In my opinion, Toyota would be making a big mistake not to mass produce this car. It looks amazing the way it is, so why change it? The inside looks great too plus it's fast. If this thing ends up in the mid 30,000 dollar range, then i would buy this car in a second and so would a lot of my friends.
what a fantastic car this is ,it;s sexy,classey,unique.
i have had toyota cilica's ,once again toyota have spoiled us the FT-HS.Iis a credit to toyota.
i want one .!!
this car will definatly turn heads,i would be proud to drive the FT-HS.
toyota will always be number 1 top of my list for cars.
it's a dream car, you have exceeded yourselves well done.
if any compertitions come up to win a car like this
i would definatly enter,if i won my dream would be forfilled,
damn am fucken fall in luv wid this car
hey there is anyway that i can get this car in a month n if its 35000 its all gud am ready to pay 2000 extra on it, so hit me up aight u got ma email ! peace
damn am fucken fall in luv wid this car
hey there is anyway i can get this car in a month cuz if its in bw 35000 - 40000 its gud am ready to pay 2000 more on it hit me up aight ! peace
n ma personal opinion to toyota motors that dun change da style u guyz gonna messed up da whole model
yo marcel wat u knw abt cars fucken cheap ass u aint say shit abt ma home cars aight ! peace boy
What a Car!!!! man Toyota still number one, can i swap my celica gts 2000 custom, how much will i pay? TOYOTA ROCKS!!!!!
this car looks amazing. interior is stunningly futuristic, and the power and acceleration is very very impressive for its projected price. The only thing i dont like about it is that it is "eco friendly". i wouldnt want to drive any car with that stigmatism.
i would only buy this car for its power,looks, and company. If there would be any way to disable the synergy drive to let it run on just gasoline, i would pay alot more to do so.
This is a beautiful design, however they need to find another means of fuel. Their fuel "idea" is a total hazard! I'd rather have it be fueled on Hydrogen, rather than that crap they're offering.
I wonder what the V8 engine specifications would be?
Would this also be a coupe, or a regular 4 door?
This is a beautiful design, however they need to find another means of fuel. Their fuel "idea" is a total hazard! I'd rather have it be fueled on Hydrogen, rather than that crap they're offering.
I wonder what the V8 engine specifications would be?
Would this also be a coupe, or a regular 4 door?
the front of the The Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept Car look ok but the back does not look that good i think they have gone over the top
now we're headed into the true cool future. all other concept cars were lame compared to this!!!
and i agree with one poster about all concept cars being sports cars all the time.
why can't they make awesome, slick looking sedans and hatch-backs and coups?
ilove this car. its look asome!!!!!!!!!!!!i swear as soon as im 17 im buying that car no matter what!its in my head for now!!!!!!i love the designe forget lamagini l0l
and forget the f00ls who siad this car is stupit u dum @$$
i dont care if its a hybrid or not..it looks sweet and is a v-8..im not gonna be alive when the planet gets messed up anyways ^_^ neither will my kids so its all good!
people need to stop complaining..seriously
to slow
Imo, get the lambo for looks and the Aptera for gas. Use the Aptera for all the shit driving, and then hop in the lambo for teh fun driving. haven't gotten the Aptera yet, but it seems decent, and Lambo's are way more fun than i thought they would be
i freakin love this car! i definately want it!