Jalopnik: ft-hs

Toyota MR2 To Return As Prius-Based Coupe?

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EDT

Reports claim Toyota may build an environmentally-friendly rear-wheel-drive Toyota MR2 coupe utilizing the Toyota Prius Hybrid Synergy Drive. A Prius-based MR2? Yeah, that'd be the third horseman of the Carpocalypse.

The car under speculation would be influenced by the FT-HS concept car Toyota trotted out a few years ago, which was then powered by a hybridized 3.5 liter V6.

The gasoline powerplant is not mentioned, but the car would get a heavily massaged version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive with gear selection courtesy of steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. An unnamed Toyota executive noted the targeted price point is somewhere around $24,000 with a 0-60 MPH time around 7 seconds. So a historically quirky, lightweight mid-engined, manual transmission sports car gets green by going heavy with hybrid bits, an automagic transmission and God-only-knows what powertrain layout. Get the pitchforks. [AutoExpress via World Car Fans]

2010 Toyota Supra Super Speculation Scan Potential

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:20:00 EDT

Speculation is something that's never in short supply in the automotive business, an observation that seems doubly true in the case of the next gen Toyota Supra. First, the Toyota FT-HS was totally going to be it. Then someone tried to convince everyone the FT-HS was the next generation Toyota Celica or AE86. Most recently, a Toyota exec hinted that the FT-HS could be a vision for the "Toyota Supra of the future." Yeah, sure. Now everyone's favorite scanned Japanese automag, BestCar, has some renderings of a very FT-HS looking Supra. Grains of salt all around. One more scan below the jump.

This time we get the rear view which, JPCN points out, sadly differs from the attractive version of the concept. But this is all in someone's head... we think. Hey buddy, can you spare some speculation? [BestCar via Japanese Performance Car News]

2009 Toyota Supra: More Hype Than Reality...Or The Other Way Around?

Ray Wert — Wed, 30 May 2007 08:15:00 EDT

Depending on who you're listening to out there on the interwebs, there's either a new ToMoCo Supra on the way to play against the Nissan 350Z...or there's not. More than likely if it is, it'll be based off of the design of the FT-HS that first turned our heads at the Detroit Auto Show. The only problem is, we're hearing both "go" and "whoa" this week...

...with the folks over at the road that's never straight claiming design on a new Z-fighter is well under way at CALTY. Their sources claim this new super-Supra's base version

"will receive an improved version of the 3.5-liter V-6 from the IS350, producing 330 brake horsepower"

while they'll also

"do a V-6 hybrid using a ramped-up version of the GS450h powertrain on a shortened rear-drive platform. This one would pack 400 bhp."

They're pegging 2008 as the date we'll see ToMoCo's new sports car hotness on the streets. But they're not the only ones with an opinion here — Ed Hellwig over at the line that's always running straight at Edmunds has a different take — he's claiming:

A couple notable publications haven recently entered the never ending Toyota Supra speculation game, and this time both are saying the car is a go for 2009. We wish it was true, but the fact is the Supra is no closer to production that it was three years ago when all the rumors started. Sure, there are people within Toyota who would like to see a Supra revival, but it currently sits at the bottom of their priority lists. The performance coupe segment is stagnant with little chance for growth and there's no way Toyota is about to commit engineering resources to a small volume car with minimal margins. So feel free to speculate, but don't start saving your money just yet 'cause this coupe isn't happening.

What do you think the number one super best automaker from the land of the rising sun's going to do? – Ray Wert

Japan Report: Toyota's Supra Taking Shape As A Hybrid Nissan Z-Fighter? [Winding Road]
Is the 2009 Toyota Supra on the way? Don't believe the hype [Straightline]

Separated At Birth: The Toyota FT-HS Concept Car And A StormTrooper

Ray Wert — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:18:07 EST

We'd have to say we're frankly quite surprised none of us on our own noticed the obvious stylistic reference points taken from the Empire's evil foot soldiers. But please, don't take our word for it — feel free to check the photo gallery below for further reference — then talk amongst yourselves. – Ray Wert

Monday January 8, 2007 [The View Through The Windshield]

Detroit Auto Show: A Suitable Sports Car? Toyota FT-HS Concept

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 11:15:00 EST

Somehow, we're finding it really hard to get excited about the Toyota FT-HS hybrid concept, and the press release after the jump isn't helping any. However, if the terms "J-Factor" and "Vibrant Clarity" bust your crank and leave skidmarks on your soul, you can always click through for a mind-numbing discussion of perfect imbalance and freeform geometrics. Or you can just look at the pictures. – Davey G. Johnson

January 3, 2007 - Torrance, CA - The Toyota FT-HS hybrid sports concept will
make its debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

Pairing a potent hybrid powertrain with essential sports car fundamentals,
the FT-HS concept was a joint undertaking of Calty, Toyota's North
American-based, research and design center located in Newport Beach, Calif.,
and Toyota's California-based Advanced Product Strategy Group. 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?"

"Drivers today are not satisfied with cars that are simply fast," said Kevin
Hunter, vice president, Calty Design Research. "In addition to driving
enjoyment, today's drivers are concerned about safety, ecology and social
responsibility."

The FT-HS incorporates hybrid capability while maintaining sports car
essentials, such as a sleek profile, lightweight aero-dynamic materials, and
an advanced high-output powertrain for revolutionary acceleration and
optimal performance. This 21st century sports car is fun-to-drive with
eco-friendly benefits such as ultra-low emissions and fuel efficiency. The
FT-HS appeals to an emerging buyer who grew up eco-conscious and perceives
technology as a necessity, not a luxury.

This two-plus-two concept is a front-engine, rear-drive sports car with a
projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second range. A powerful V6,
3.5L-engine is coupled with a 21st century sports hybrid system with a
target power output of approximately 400-horsepower. At a mid-priced market
position, FT-HS would be a true "attainable exotic" with 21st Century
performance.

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 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 vehicle's triangular profile has a floating "C" pillar, aero corners, a
full upper-body pan, and innovative open top. A hood 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 fiber lower diffuser with
integrated wide exhaust and carbon fiber wheels.

The driver-oriented 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 fiber, and titanium. FT-HS' interior features
create a dedicated driver's cockpit which include subtractive mass
expressions such as 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 which surround the driver and act as tactile guides for
finger controls when traveling at high speeds.

By eliminating the "B" pillar and creating a suspended "C" pillar, the
minimalist style works in conjunction with subtractive mass. An integrated
instrument panel surrounds the driver, creating an enclosed pod effect.
Armrests flow seamlessly into the door and surrounding interior.

Seating is optimized 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 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.

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

TOYOTA FT-HS CONCEPT VEHICLE PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

DRIVETRAIN
3.5 Liter V6 hybrid electric

DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 170.27

Overall Width: 73.23

Overall Height: 50.79

Wheelbase: 104.33

Wheels: Carbon Fiber

Tire Sizes: Front 245/35R21 Rear 285/30R21

2007 Detroit Auto Show: Toyota Unwraps The FT-HS Hybrid Sports Car Concept For Christmas

Ray Wert — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 00:01:00 EST

What a lovely little gift from ToMoCo — did you get us the next-generation Prius? Oh, it's something better — but what could it be? How about a concept sports car, which Toyota plans on revealing at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show next month, which does share one thing in common with the little-hybrid-that-could — it's got one of ToMoCo's hybrid synergy drives. But wait a second, a sports car with a hybrid motor— no V8? Of course not, this is Toyota we're talking about — the computer geeks at Calty Design Research, Toyota's design studio in Newport Beach, California have mated the electric drivetrain with a 3.5-liter V6 (more than likely the same one used in the Lexus GS 450h), which ToMoCo claims when stuck together, and with fairy dust liberally sprinkled in it'll produce upwards of 400 hp (that's just a wee bit of an increase from the 292 hp made by the GS engine) and a four-second range on the 0-60 time. Although a sports car without a V8 engine may seem strange and scary to many an 'merican driver — the Calty folks claim "a hybrid powertrain will have a certain quotient of respectability that you won't find in a supercharged big-block V8." While I don't know if the majority of muscle car owners would buy...

...their argument of respectability — I do have to say they've certainly tried to mate that bi-powertrain engine to a sweet triangular form factored shell that's at least about as big as a Corvette (the ToMoConcept has an end-to-end length of 170.3 inches to the 'vette's 174.6). And for the added size, you even get a cabin with a 2+2 seating arrangement. And depending on the configuration — we're told the concept features a rail-sliding vista-type carbon-fiber or glass roof to open up the coupe to the elements. We've provided a full gallery of 'puter pictures above and we'll be sure to snap lots of photos when we see it in person next month in Detroit. – Ray Wert

Related:
All our 2007 Detroit Auto Show Coverage [internal]