Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept features funky looks, zero emissions
by Sam Abuelsamid on Oct 23rd 2009 at 1:01PM 
Toyota FT-EV II concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota has revealed its latest plug-in electric concept car here at the Tokyo Motor Show. The FT-EV II is a followup to the iQ-based FT-EV that we saw in Detroit earlier this year but appears to be a ground-up design that takes advantage of the electric drive architecture. The iQ is promoted as a 3+1 layout because the presence of the steering column and instrument cluster force the driver's seat to be further back – limiting the already small rear seat behind it.
The new concept uses a complete drive-by-wire system with joystick-like controls that feature a steam-punk design motif. The result is wide open space in the front, which conspire with the very thin-shell seats to offer decent room inside. The car also has sliding doors on both sides. It's not known if this concept represents a design direction for an urban BEV that Toyota will likely build to meet ZEV mandates in the next five years, but it would seem to make sense for Toyota to do a custom design such as this.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shiftright 1:13PM (10/23/2009)
Stupidest ugliest wheels ever...ugh!...The rest isn't that great either. Too busy...
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TonyInMI 1:14PM (10/23/2009)
Why are all these new little cars so goofy looking? Smart, Leaf, even the Yaris. Ick.
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TonyInMI 1:17PM (10/23/2009)
iQ - blah.
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N_xx 2:22PM (10/23/2009)
those front wings ,Looks like the super gt version of the iq
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Soccer Mom 1:25PM (10/23/2009)
Cyberpunk on the outside, steampunk on the inside. The exterior looks good, actually.
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Alex 1:38PM (10/23/2009)
The driver's dash is really cool. I doubt it'll ever see production but i really like the openness and look.
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gerrrg 1:55PM (10/23/2009)
Somehow, this vehicle's interior seems like it belongs in a flying vehicle from the Jetsons; not a car that only rides on roads.
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Taglane 2:26PM (10/23/2009)
Why can't I just have a normal looking car?
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Vincenzo 3:51PM (10/23/2009)
Are you talking about the cute electric Honda EV-N? It looks like a normal car.
It's imperative that inexpensive electro cars must be tiny.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/honda-ev-n-concept-tokyo-2009-retro-style/
Jon Dunchack 10:29PM (10/23/2009)
Well, I think it looks great - very futuristic. I'm completely bored with "conventional" cars.
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207guy 6:51AM (10/26/2009)
Both ugly and stupid. That thing wouldn't last a day in Maine's winters.
What are they thinking?
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