Tokyo debut for Gazoo Racing FT-Se EV concept
Toyota currently makes the best small sports car in the world - here's what's coming for the electric era
Japanese manufacturers can always be relied on for the weird, wacky and wonderful when it comes to their home motor show. And while the 2023 Tokyo expo that kicks off next week is officially now a Mobility Show - which never fills anybody with confidence - Toyota has made sure there’s something to look forward to in the shape of the FT-Se concept car.
It’s Toyota’s vision of an electric two-door sports car, and although the full thing hasn’t been revealed just yet there’s plenty to be encouraged by. Not least Toyota’s vision for a car like this, suggesting the FT-Se is a high-performance EV 'proposed as one of the options for sports cars in the carbon-neutral era’ - confirming (again) that the manufacturer has not placed all its eggs in one basket. Perhaps even more importantly, the FT-Se is said to incorporate ‘the expertise gained in Toyota Gazoo Racing’s efforts to make ever better cars through motorsports’. And they’ve done quite well with that already, so here’s hoping.
Looks cool as well, which is always a good sign. Toyota speaks of a ‘sleek, cutting edge silhouette’ that reduces drag (which in turn will help range), and it’s hard not to gawp at the drama of details like the diffuser, haunches and light signature. The full thing should be spectacular. Don’t forget, either, that Toyota has some history in productionising FT concepts; there were two FT-86 previews before the GT production car, and nobody will ever forget the incredible FT-1 that offered a glimpse of what the GR Supra would be. So while the name might currently conjure up the stock exchange, the fact that Toyota has called this thing the FT-Se does bode well for its future production prospects.
Finally, it’s worth drawing attention to the second picture that’s been released so far and shows a bit of the FT’s interior. A ‘more immersive driving experience’ is promised; that might be due to the yoke-style wheel being flanked by screens like a race car, but there’s also the assurance of a car that ‘continues to grow with the driver through software updates’, which is intriguing. An EV that learns your driving style and evolves over time could be really cool.
There’s also a more traditional nod to both the ‘86 sports cars in ‘newly designed kneepads’ to ‘protect the body from G-forces during driving’. They sound silly, but have often worked well in practice, another of the small details that show Toyota really cares about the driving experience. On current form, who better to trust with electrifying the sports car experience?
The press day for Tokyo is next Wednesday, October 25th, where we can expect the full reveal of the FT-Se alongside the FT-3e SUV with which it shares some vital bits. Interesting. Stay tuned for more next week.
Moaning aside though. This GR looks pretty cool from what i can see. Lose the Yoke though!
Car looks quite focused and lightweight. Toyota slipping into the hole left by the Elise? We can dream.
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