Autoblog

Click above to view more high-res pics of the Toyota FT-HS Concept

Usually we would have no reason to report on a concept that we've already seen debut. Hence, the Australian debut of Toyota's hybrid FT-HS sports car concept at the Melbourne Auto Show isn't really news. It becomes news, however, when a suit from Toyota Australia makes a veiled comment about the next Supra and its possible ties to the FT-HS. Peter Evans, corporate manger of product planning for Toyota Australia, said "To really appreciate the FT-HS, think of it as a 'Prius on steroids'. Alternatively, it could be a vision for a Toyota Supra of the future." Whaa?

Had this quote been given on the show floor amidst a throng of journalists, one might be able to pass it off as a slip of the tongue. The quote, however, appears in Toyota Australia's press release for the FT-HS debut down under, which can be read in full after the jump. This means it passed by the eyes of countless PR people whose job it is to vet press releases for embarrassing mistakes. This suggests that the quote is not a case of Evans opening his mouth and inserting foot, but rather was meant to be there, perhaps to whet our appetites, stoke our interest and get us all talking. Job well done, Toyota, because otherwise we would have completely ignored the umpteeth debut of the FT-HS in another country.


[Source: Toyota via Motor Authority]

Toyota did so well for so long with its sports cars and sporty cars that it's a wonder they gave up the market. Now it seems they're asking themselves the same question. Kazuo Okamoto, executive VP of R&D, said the company wants to try sports cars again, citing the need to build "more appealing products" with a dash more "fun to drive" factored in.

Now that the MR2 is officially retired, it is difficult to believe that Toyota will leave its sports car cred (and cash) on the table for Lexus to mop up. While not admitting any concrete plans to build such a car, Toyota's been teasing folks with the FT-HS since it was revealed at Detroit earlier this year. If they actually do turn it into a Supra -- and a hybrid one at that -- we, for one, would be delighted to see something slow down the Camry-ization of Toyota's lineup.

[Source: Auto Week]

Click the photo for the NAIAS gallery of the Toyota FT-HS

There have now been two sets of spy photos that have turned up showing a development mule wearing a hacked up Nissan 350Z body. At first everyone assumed it was a Nissan vehicle. However, in the background of the most recent batch of spy photos, a mystery car has been identified by our readers as one of the Lexus LF-A prototypes.

Since the photos were taken on public roads, it seems highly improbable that the LF-A would just happen to be in the same location as Nissan's latest mule. Taking a look at the Z mule in profile shows proportions pretty close to the FT-HS concept that turned up at the Detroit Auto Show. So this truncated Z is more likely a test platform for a production version of the FT-HS/Supra/whatever you want to call it that's been cleverly disguised in the clothes of another brand.

[Source: World Car Fans]

UPDATE: Ed Hellwig from the Straighline Blog totally disagrees.

click above image for high-res gallery of Toyota's FT-HS Concept

Toyota's next-generation Supra is veiled in mystery, but we tend to take seriously any news coming from Winding Road's Peter Nunn because, well, he actually lives in Japan and hears the hometown gossip. According to Nunn, rumor has it that the next-gen Supra's design will be inspired by the FT-HS Concept, which we kinda sort of already knew, and be powered by either a hybrid drivetrain or an all-gas V6.

The last issue of Automobile Magazine claimed that the FT-HS Concept would go into production as Toyota's Supra successor, but made no mention of another all-gas version. WR's Nunn, however, speculates that the car will be offered with either an updated version of the 3.5L V6 from the Lexus IS350 producing around 330bhp and a V6 hybrid drivetrain likely scooped from the Lexus GS450h and producing 400bhp.

The all-gas Supra would obviously be less expensive than the hybrid version, and thus would likely be the volume seller of the two. Looks like we're expecting both to arrive sometime in the latter half of 2008, though any details having to do with Toyota's plans for the Supra are obviously about as firm as Jell-o.

[Source: Winding Road]

click above image for updated gallery with 17 additional high-resolution live shots

The Detroit Auto Show was non-stop action for us, and amidst the melle of cars and press conferences we intentionally passed up on covering a few vehicles that didn't top the priority list. The Toyota FT-HS was not supposed to be one of those vehicles, but fell through the cracks anyway amidst our non-stop coverage. Now that we're back we can show you the live shots of the FT-HS that were taken on the show floor. We've added an additional 17 live shots of the FT-HS in our gallery, which you can check out here.

The styling of the FT-HS is truly a love/hate proposition that hinges on your reaction to the car's nose. We're still debating internally on whether or not it was inspired by the hull of a boat or the nose cone of an F1 car, but either way it's a new interpretation of the front fascia that isn't just headlight-grille-headlight. We especially like the concept's floating C-pillar, which is essentially the car's roof, as well. That roof is able to retract and store itself over the rear seats for an open-air experience, too.

The drivetrain for the FT-HS is a 3.5-liter V6 mated to an all-new version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive developed specifically for this application. The fact Toyota would go to the trouble to develop a sporting application of the Synergy Drive seems like a clear indication to us that hybrid sports cars are in the brand's future. We'll be on board if any one of them produce 400 hp like the FT-HS.

Check out the full FT-HS gallery of high-resolution images and Toyota's official press release after the jump for more details.

At ten past noon on Sunday, January 7th, Toyota will take the wraps off its newest design study in Detroit. The FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept will supposedly foretell the future of the automaker's performance offerings, but until then, we'll have to make due with the 50+ computer generated pics that we have available in our gallery.

As we reported over the weekend, the HSC will develop over 400 HP, via a 3.5-liter DOHC V6, mated to an assumed 650V, water-cooled electric motor. Although the weight of the concept hasn't been disclosed, extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum should give the HSC the ability to return a mid-four-second 0-60 sprint.

The Newport Beach, California-based studio have designed a 2+2 coupe that will measure 170.3 inches in length, 73.2 inches wide and 50.8 inches high, with the engine being visible through a plastic panel mounted on the hood. A retractable roof has been designed to open up the occupants to the elements, by sliding back and then covering the two, rear seats.

Although many in the press are christening this as the next Supra, we're still a bit skeptical if such a vehicle would carry the storied moniker. But, considering the anticipated $30,000 price tag, the HSC will certainly fill a niche that has long been neglected in Toyota's lineup.

Be sure to check out the gallery here and look for more details on the HSC in Detroit in just shy of two weeks.