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January 8, 2007

Toyota FT-HS concept

Hybrid sports car blends performance with environmental responsibility

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Detroit, Michigan - Asked to create a mid-priced sports car that answers the question "What is a suitable sports car for the 21st Century?", designers from Calty, Toyota's research and design centre located in Newport Beach, California, came up with the FT-HS concept, a sports car with a hybrid powertrain.

"Drivers today are not satisfied with cars that are simply fast," said Tony Wearing, Managing Director of Toyota Canada Inc. "In addition to driving enjoyment, today's drivers are concerned about safety, ecology and social responsibility."

The FT-HS concept incorporates hybrid capability while maintaining sports car essentials, such as a sleek profile, lightweight aerodynamic materials, and an advanced high-output powertrain for strong acceleration and optimal performance, said the company. "This 21st century sports car is fun-to-drive with eco-friendly benefits such as ultra-low emissions and fuel efficiency."

The two-plus-two concept is a front-engine, rear-drive sports car with a projected zero-to-60 mph acceleration in the four-second range. A powerful 3.5-litre V6 engine is coupled with a hybrid system with a target power output of approximately 400-horsepower. At a mid-priced market position, the FT-HS would be a true "attainable exotic," said Toyota.

The exterior design was led by Calty designer, Alex Shen. The roof has a distinctive scooped-out section designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room at the key areas. Made from carbon fiber 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 driver-oriented interior was created by Calty designer, William Chergosky. The lean skeletal look is achieved with exposed cross-car architecture and high-tech materials such as carbon fiber, and titanium. The FT-HS' interior features create a dedicated driver's cockpit which includes a cross-car instrument panel structure and delta wing driver pod. The delta-wing driver's pod integrates many useful functions into a lightweight structural unit. All of the important functions and details are presented almost exclusively to the driver. For example, touch-trace sensors surround the driver and act as tactile guides for finger controls when traveling at high speeds.

The seating accommodates four and then coverts to a two-seater when the roof retracts. The passenger-seat area is open with a simple exposed airbag on the cross-car beam.

A telescoping hub-less steering wheel incorporates semi-automatic paddle shifters and allows the meter to be shifted forward in order to shorten the driver's focus-time between the road and meter, and ultimately enhance driver focus.

"The FT-HS redefines the sports car experience not only with styling but also in function and performance," said Wearing. "The FT-HS is Toyota's answer to the question, "What is a suitable sports car for the 21st Century?"

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