The New Toyota Sportcar…A Hybrid? « Nate Whitehill dot Com

The New Toyota Sportcar…A Hybrid?

Posted on February 27, 2007 by Nate Whitehill

The New Toyota Sportscar...A Hybrid?

There have been rumors for years now that Toyota has been prepping a replacement for its flagship Supra sportscar.

The Supra was one of the most popular tuner cars of the ’90’s and continues to be regarded as one of the ultimate Japanese rockets.

At the recent Detroit Auto Show, Toyota shocked the world with what may be the actual Supra replacement. Currently dubbed the FT-HS concept, this super-Toyota is actually a hybrid! It is powered by both an electric motor and a 3.5 liter V6 motor, good for over 400 horsepower. You know this is car is coming close to supercar territory when it promises to propel you to 60 mph in around 4 seconds!

This sports car is a 2+2, meaning that it seats four. These photos don’t show us how big the back seat actually is, but I’m assuming that it’s painfully small. Rather than call the FT-HS a 2+2, Toyota should just say that the FT-HS has a deep package tray behind the front seats.

Many modern sportscars have engines in the 300-400 horsepower range, but the acceleration isn’t always there as today’s rides are heavier than ever. The FT-HS, on the other hand, is designed to be as light as possible. Given that, it is impressive that the FT-HS contains an automatically retractable hard-top!

Personally, I think this car is an amazing achievement in engineering. It will get excellent gas mileage being a hybrid and promises to be a true enthusiast’s sports car. Now you can impress your environmentally-conscious mom and wow your girlfriend at the same time!

Before getting too excited about this wonderful offering, remember, it is still a concept, meaning it has not gotten the final word to go to production just yet. Toyota should be revealing more details about the FT-HS concept within the next 6 months, including its planned release date.

A few people have asked what the estimated price point might be. I have read several places that Toyota is looking to price this car in the mid 30’s. Seems a lot more reasonable than the last car I wrote about — the 8 Million Dollar Mercedes-Maybach!

Click on a picture for a larger (1400Ã—1050) desktop-size view.

Discussion: 41 Comments

41 Responses to “The New Toyota Sportcar…A Hybrid?”

Jane

- 27th Feb, 07 01:02am

oooooooooooh, I think I’m in love!!! I didn’t see a price tag, any idea??
Nate Whitehill (author comment)

- 27th Feb, 07 01:02am

I actually read somewhere that are pricing it in the mid-30’s!
Ryan

- 27th Feb, 07 07:02am

It’ll be awesome when that comes to market. I’ve got a Lexus RX400H that I love (a hybrid, of course), and I’d definately consider this car.
Jane

- 27th Feb, 07 10:02am

That’s not too bad actually!
Vinay

- 28th Feb, 07 08:02am

I went to the Detroit auto show, and they had this car on displayed on a turntable, as well as the new Lexus sportscar displayed close by. The Lexus model is supposed to be their high-end sports car offering in the future (500hp V-10 possibly) but the FT-HS concept looked so much better, and seemed to be generating far more attention.
David Wilkinson

- 28th Feb, 07 02:02pm

DUDE! Just found my first car.
eric

- 1st Mar, 07 07:03pm

cant anybody see that its a vector picture???!?!?!
baron

- 1st Mar, 07 07:03pm

Supras & Celicas definitely ruled back in the day. Then all the Japanese manufacturers stopped making sports cars altogether…
Vinay

- 1st Mar, 07 08:03pm

My guess is this car is going to make production. Looks too good, the stats are ridiculous, the price is borderline cheap, and that retractable hardtop is SLICK.
sage

- 2nd Mar, 07 01:03am

this is a 3d rendered picture.. not actual photos
anyway, this car looks like a bad offspring of a train and a hotwheels toy…
i guess the concept is awesome, just that front bumper is so dumb,
TCLAF

- 2nd Mar, 07 02:03am

If this thing is priced in the mid-30’s then im going to definetly be getting like 5 of them
Nate Whitehill (author comment)

- 2nd Mar, 07 02:03am

It seems like Japan is finally starting to get its act together and release some sporty offerings. I have a 3rd gen RX-7 which I love to death, despite its incredible unreliability.
comment by beauty

- 2nd Mar, 07 07:03am

this is awsome ! the car looks cute and sweet ! in particular it back body .

http://thundafunda.com
bc

- 2nd Mar, 07 07:03am

I can’t figure out how the trunk opens.
Eddie

- 2nd Mar, 07 08:03am

For Sale: 2005 Nissan 350Z
Matt

- 2nd Mar, 07 08:03am

Yeah… I like the car a lot too… but the author kinda missed the point.

This isn’t a Supra replacement – this is a MR-2 replacement… and I’m talking back-to-its-roots 90-95 SW20 body style. From the strong C-Pillar, to its innovative open air design. Besides, Supra was never a 30K car (adjusted for inflation) the MR-2 was.

If you are looking to see what the Supra replacement *is* – check out the Lexus LF-A

http://www.autoblog.com/2005/01/09/detroit-auto-show-lexus-lf-a/

bc – There’s actually not a ‘trunk’ – its a ‘hatchback’. The roof slides ‘back’ (over the glass), then the glass and roof settle into the hatch area. Coolest design at the NAIAS this year.
tobias

- 2nd Mar, 07 08:03am

http://teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1

kicks its ass
Tyler Durden

- 2nd Mar, 07 09:03am

Dude, you ever hear of the Evo?
brettro

- 2nd Mar, 07 09:03am

to be the MR2 replacement, the FT-HS would have to be mid-engined and a 2-seater, which it is neither.
AnthonyC

- 2nd Mar, 07 10:03am

The Tesla is pretty damn slick, but I think Toyota’s answer to the electric sports coupe will ultimately trump anything currently on or in development. Toyota just kicks ass… and going forward, it’s stock price of around $130 is a STEAL right now.
Nomar

- 3rd Mar, 07 12:03am

Great Nate !! and congrats with DIGG
David Wilkinson

- 3rd Mar, 07 01:03am

I was just going to mention it… Nice going!
Mobius

- 3rd Mar, 07 05:03pm

A “Concept Car” isn’t even a prototype. A concept has to be prototyped (several times) before it can even be CONSIDERED for production. Hint: There’s no prototype, and no confirmation they even PLAN to build a prototype.

You just keep on thinking they’ll build it.

No chance. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

Just buy a Porsche – at least they build plenty of ‘em!
christopher krenisky

- 23rd Apr, 07 07:04pm

I pray to God this car goes into production…I think I’ll cry if it doesn’t. I just bought a 2007 camry se which kicks some serious ass. The dealer showed me this car on toyota’s website. If and when they release this car im definitely doing a trade in!! Nice pics by the way.
David Wilkinson

- 7th May, 07 11:05pm

Totally… I’m getting one of these babes!
David Wilkinson

- 7th May, 07 11:05pm

The car costs $130!!? Schaweet!
Wolf Stone

- 12th May, 07 10:05pm

Just saw pics of the new supra and now this…no wonder toyota is now the number 1 car maker in the world.
Paul

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bish

- 5th Feb, 08 07:02pm

dude when this baby comes out, first car
bish

- 5th Feb, 08 07:02pm

dude when this baby comes out, first car ever
only car for me
Gary

- 27th Jan, 09 07:01pm

I like it V8 power out of a V6 and electric motor any MPG stats
Tuner Car Lover

- 13th Mar, 09 10:03pm

Although the Supra sure is one car that I love to see racing around, this car looks very sexy! Of course it will never replace the Toyota Supra for me, this car looks like it will be a big hit to all of the auto tuners.

Is it supposed to be placed into production anytime soon?

Thanks for the info!
-Chris