The New Toyota Sportcar…A Hybrid?
39 Comments February 27, 2007 / Posted in Cars, Technology
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 (1400×1050) desktop-size view.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Find out what I am doing by following me on Twitter!
Matt Blancarte
Josh Mullineaux
oooooooooooh, I think I’m in love!!! I didn’t see a price tag, any idea??
I actually read somewhere that are pricing it in the mid-30’s!
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.
That’s not too bad actually!
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.
DUDE! Just found my first car.
cant anybody see that its a vector picture???!?!?!
Supras & Celicas definitely ruled back in the day. Then all the Japanese manufacturers stopped making sports cars altogether…
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.
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,
If this thing is priced in the mid-30’s then im going to definetly be getting like 5 of them
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.
this is awsome ! the car looks cute and sweet ! in particular it back body .
http://thundafunda.com
I can’t figure out how the trunk opens.
For Sale: 2005 Nissan 350Z
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.
http://teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1
kicks its ass
Dude, you ever hear of the Evo?
to be the MR2 replacement, the FT-HS would have to be mid-engined and a 2-seater, which it is neither.
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.
Great Nate !! and congrats with DIGG
I was just going to mention it… Nice going!
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!
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.
Totally… I’m getting one of these babes!
The car costs $130!!? Schaweet!
Just saw pics of the new supra and now this…no wonder toyota is now the number 1 car maker in the world.
Hi,
I was wondering how much you would charge to advertise on your website. I have clients looking to place small text based ads on sites like yours. If you are interested let me know your price and if you prefer to be paid via PayPal or check? I prefer the ads be placed at the top, middle, or bottom of the main content area of the site. However, I am sure we can work out placement. For more information please email me and checkout http://www.authoritysites.com our FAQ site which should answer most of your questions. I look forward to selling your advertising space and adding your site to my inventory. Please email me with any questions.
Thanks,
Paul White
inventory.authority@gmail.com
dude when this baby comes out, first car
dude when this baby comes out, first car ever
only car for me
[...] read more | digg story [...]
[...] Supra replacement. Currently dubbed the FT-HS concept, this super-Toyota is actually a hybrid!read more | digg [...]
[...] read more | digg story [...]
[...] just for the extra advertising revenue it will bring them. In my case, when my article about the hybrid Toyota sportscar hit the front page of Digg and sent 30 thousand visitors my way, I made an extra $26 off Adsense [...]
ItÂ’s a Green Light for ToyotaÂ’s FT-HS Hybrid Sport…
At this yearÂ’s Detroit Auto Show Toyota debuted what easily became the stuff of teenage (and of the young at hearts too) boysÂ’ dreams: the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept — a two-door sports coupe claimed to be the SupraÂ’s next-generation successor….
[...] Supra replacement. Currently dubbed the FT-HS concept, this super-Toyota is actually a hybrid!read more | digg [...]
[...] The New Toyota Sportcar…A Hybrid? [...]
[...] Business Development for Young Entrepreneurs Continue…. [...]
[...] read more | digg story [...]