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?"
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
