Detroit Motor Show 07 - Toyota's FT-HS concept

[Yaris SR Kid]

Toyota's FT-HS concept gave a glimpse of a possible future Supra. Front-engined, rear-drive hybrid with a claimed 400-plus bhp should be good for a sub-five-second 0-60 time.

Some more information for you taken from the Piston Heads website. :)

Toyota is showing off this FT-HS hybrid sports concept at the Detroit auto show next week. It's intended to be a pointer towards the sports car for the 21st century.

The FT-HS pairs a potent hybrid powertrain with sports car fundamentals, said the Japanese firm, as it marries hybrid technology with lightweight aerodynamic materials. Toyota reckoned that it's designed to be "fun to drive with eco-friendly benefits such as ultra-low emissions and fuel efficiency".

This two-plus-two concept is a front-engine, rear-drive sports car with a projected 0-62mph acceleration in the four-second range. A 3.5-litre V6 outputs about 400bhp.

Toyota's blurb reckons that the FT-HS "expresses the core values of a Toyota Brand design strategy that combines two key elements: J-Factor and Vibrant Clarity. J-Factor refers to the local and global acceptance of Japanese-inspired design and cultural sensibilities. Vibrant Clarity is the design language used to express the J-Factor much in the same way that L-Finesse is the language of the Lexus Division. It is the combination of perfect imbalance, freeform geometrics and integrated component architecture. The result of these three elements is subtractive mass, a minimalist style that is not only lightweight, but also looks lightweight."

The exterior design was led by CALTY designer, Alex Shen. From a design perspective, the theme of the FT-HS achieves sleek, taut surfaces in its exterior features, especially in the doors and body style. The front and rear have been sculpted to remove mass around key functional components. Freeform geometrics define the integration of fluid surfaces contrasting hard-edge “Aero-Corners” which promote smooth airflow and reduce turbulence.

The 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 fluidly in a downward motion to stow in the rear seat space.

The vehicle’s triangular profile has a floating “C” pillar, aero corners, a full upper-body pan, and innovative open top, said Toyota (with a straight face, apparently). A bonnet features a scalloped channel, exposing the hybrid engine. Integrated component architecture can be seen in the aerospace-inspired lighting. The tail lamp unit spans the entire rear, and has an integrated retractable spoiler. Light-emitting diode (LED) clusters are located in the headlamps and the wing for energy- efficiency and decreased heat loss. Other exterior features include a speed-activated wing that elevates at high speed for additional stability and traction. The rear showcases a carbon fibre lower diffuser with integrated wide exhaust and carbon fibre wheels.

The interior was created by CALTY designer, William Chergosky and exudes sleekness, technology, and performance. The lean skeletal look is achieved with exposed cross-car architecture and high-tech materials such as carbon fibre, and titanium.

FT-HS’s interior features create a dedicated driver’s cockpit and include subtractive mass expressions such as cross-car instrument panel structure and delta wing driver pod. The delta-wing driver’s pod integrates many functions into a lightweight structural unit. The driver gets touch-trace sensors that act as tactile guides for finger controls when travelling at high speeds.

By eliminating the “B” pillar and creating a suspended “C” pillar, the minimalist style works in conjunction with subtractive mass, said Toyota. An integrated instrument panel surrounds the driver, creating an enclosed pod effect.

Seating is optimised for a lightweight appearance and function: the seating accommodates four and then coverts to a two-seater when the roof retracts. The passenger-seat area is open with an exposed airbag on the cross-car beam.

A telescoping hub-less steering wheel incorporates semi-automatic paddle shifters and allows the instruments to be shifted forward in order to shorten the driver’s focus-time between them and the road.

It's a joint undertaking of CALTY, Toyota’s North American-based, research and design centre located in Newport Beach, California, and Toyota’s California-based advanced product strategy group.

"Drivers today are not satisfied with cars that are simply fast,” said CALTY VP Kevin Hunter. “In addition to driving enjoyment, today’s drivers are concerned about safety, ecology and social responsibility.

So the design team was assigned the task of creating a mid-priced sports car that integrates ecology and emotion in a concept that addresses the question, “What is a suitable sports car for the 21st century?”.

Be nice if they built it...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/news/default.asp?storyId=15668

Edited January 12, 2007 by Fizz

[AJB]

Looks real evil!!

[Yaris SR Kid]

Yeah love it! Now if they made that, toyota would be back at building sports cars again! 400 brake! :P

[AJB]

If only i could afford something like that, or even just the insurance!

[DefiantFrog]

That looks beautiful... bet if it ever makes it to production that the real car looks and performs nothing like it.

[Yaris SR Kid]

That looks beautiful... bet if it ever makes it to production that the real car looks and performs nothing like it.

Exactly!

Why do car manufactures do this to us!

Actually the civic type R concept looks like production model!!

[Fizz]

Edited the first post with more info. :)

Also more pics in the link posted under the quote but i shall post the link here as well for those who may have missed it.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/news/default.asp?storyId=15668

Personally speaking I think it looks ugly...

[Yaris SR Kid]

Hey my post got longer...... :P

You think its ugly?!

Its exactly what modern supra should be! I am sure people thought last one was ugly because it was to "rounded"

Now everyone loves it, move with the times i say!

[JappyBeast]

A UK numberplate nailed to the front wont help it either.

[DaveSR]

It would look better without the hologram front lights and the bit in the middle of the bonnet ..... the rest is mint

[Fizz]

Hey my post got longer...... :P

You think its ugly?!

Its exactly what modern supra should be! I am sure people thought last one was ugly because it was to "rounded"

Now everyone loves it, move with the times i say!

Nope... the Mk IV soop i loved from the moment it was released back in the early 90's... and still love the shape and the presence it has on the road. :P