New Supra in the Works?
It appears that Toyota is putting some serious consideration into adding a sports car to their lineup. They are so serious about it that they have just unveiled a new concept of what this future car might look like. The concept car, called the FT-HS, isn’t your run of the mill sports car. Toyota feels that customers of the future will want something that is both eco-friendly and high performance so the FT-HS is set to be a hybrid sports car that will bridge the worlds of economy, ecology and speed.
The shape of the FT-HS is forward thinking. The overall platform looks not unlike a 350Z, but with sharp angles and lines flowing every which way, the FT-HS certainly carries a distinctive look. I’ve already heard people griping about its ugliness, but I for one think it is right on the mark for a hybrid sports car concept. It is aggressive, sleek and uniquely Japanese, what else could you ask for in a Toyota sports car?
Because this is only a concept the details are vague at best. Keeping with the tradition of GT sports cars the FT-HS has its engine at the front, drives the rear wheels and has seating for four. The power plant will most likely be a 3.5 liter V6 gas engine with top of the line hybrid technology. Performance targets are roughly 400 horsepower with 0-60 times close to four seconds. If Toyota does decide to go with this concept look for the sports car to be unveiled around 2010.
This looks like a great concept with a ton of potential. If Toyota can pull this off and bring the hybrid sports car to market in a timely fashion they will certainly be a notch above the competition.
-Bill Mertz
Toyota, FT-HS, hybrid, sports car, GT, concept car
