This design from Toyota's California design studio is a 'halo' sports car for Toyota and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Will they build it? They did say "FT" stands for "Future Toyota" and no one is that cruel?
While this may be far from a production design, Toyota gave us a long run of teaser cars before we eventually got the Scion FR-S. I'd say it was worth the wait.
The Toyota FT-1 was developed in Toyota's CALTY design studio as an idea 'inspired' by CEO Akio Toyoda loves.
"The FT-1 is a dream-project for a designer and car enthusiast like myself," said Alex Shen, Calty's Studio Chief Designer. "Our team was heavily influenced by Toyota's sports car past, especially Celica and Supra, and we sought to capture some of that history. It is an aggressive, track-focused sports car concept with a presence that has been amplified for shock and awe."
Shen said the "Function Sculpting" design language is unlike anything Toyota makes right now. The pause was longish when asked if the FT-1 was going to influence future generations of Highlander in any way.
Sure, it looks a little derivative of other insane sports cars (yes, TVR comes to mind). But it's very un-Toyota and that's a good thing. They also acknowledge the 2000GT-ness of the glass area.
The real news for the design is in the details, though. Toyota got the details right on the FT-1, from the lights and front treatment to the interior shape. It really looks like they tried. Again, a good thing.
All we know about the FT-1 is that it's designed as a front-engine, rear-drive sports car – unusual for Toyota, no hybrid for the concept. But if you'd like to drive it, you can download it in Gran Turismo 6 starting tomorrow.
Function Sculpting: Whatever it is, you're speaking our language. Now just make it.
Top image: Raphael Orlove
Images: Toyota, Alex Conley