Toyota FT-Se
Toyota, a pioneer in the automobile industry, has recently given enthusiasts and experts a glimpse into the future of electric sports cars with its FT-Se concept. Unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show, this two-seater car, devoid of a combustion engine, promises not just sustainable mobility but also the thrill and performance that sports car aficionados crave.
Electric Sports Car Concept
- Dual motors
- Special third-generation battery pack
- 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds
- 155 mph top speed
- Lightweight and stiff body made of CFRP, aluminium, and steel
- Target Nürburgring hot lap time
- Not positioned as an MR2 revival or an electric Supra
As more details emerge about this groundbreaking vehicle, it’s evident that Toyota is pushing the boundaries of what electric sports cars can achieve.
Dual Motors
- Reveal: Toyota showcased the FT-Se at the Japan Mobility Show.
- Design: It is a two-seater sports car without a combustion engine, designed by Hideaki Iida from the Gazoo Racing Design Group.
- Production: While the exact release date remains uncertain, a production version might be launched post-2026.
- Special Features: The car may include a simulated manual gearbox.
- Mechanical Specs:
- It boasts a dual motor setup: one for the front axle and one for the rear, ensuring an AWD system with a rear-biased behaviour.
- It uses a “special” third-generation battery pack.
- Cooling this battery, especially during rigorous driving, presents a challenge.
Special third-generation battery pack
- Performance Aspects:
- Toyota plans to test the car’s performance with a hot lap around the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife layout, one of the longest racetracks globally.
- The car’s chief engineer, Fumihiko Hazama, mentions that maintaining optimal battery temperature on such a long course will be a challenge critical to the car’s performance.
- Performance specs include a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration in about three seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
- Construction & Weight:
- The battery pack, mounted low in the centre, is lighter than existing versions.
- The car will be built using a mix of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), aluminium, and steel. The aim is to achieve a balance between lightness and stiffness.
- Aero features, like a large diffuser, will be incorporated for additional downforce.
- Model Positioning: Hideaki Iida clarified that this sports car won’t be a revival of the MR2 or an electric version of the Supra.
This concept demonstrates Toyota’s forward-looking approach in the EV sports car market. The FT-Se is a glimpse into what the future of sports cars might look like, blending performance with sustainability.
Pros of the Toyota FT-Se electric sports car concept:
- Impressive performance: With dual motors and a lightweight body, the FT-Se is expected to have blistering acceleration and top speed.
- Lightweight and stiff construction: The use of CFRP, aluminum, and steel is expected to make the FT-Se a very agile and responsive car to drive.
- Target Nürburgring hot lap time: This shows that Toyota is serious about making the FT-Se a high-performance sports car.
- New and unique design: The FT-Se has a sleek and futuristic design that is unlike any other Toyota sports car.
Cons of the Toyota FT-Se electric sports car concept:
- Production is still uncertain: Toyota has not yet confirmed whether the FT-Se will go into production.
- Battery cooling challenge: Toyota will need to find a way to effectively cool the battery pack during long track sessions.
- Price: The FT-Se is likely to be a very expensive car, due to its use of lightweight materials and advanced technology.
Conclusion
In a world rapidly pivoting towards sustainable transportation, Toyota’s FT-Se concept stands as a testament to the possibilities that lie at the intersection of performance and eco-friendliness. By harmoniously blending speed, design, and advanced battery technology, the FT-Se indicates a promising and thrilling future for electric sports cars. As details continue to unfold, one thing remains certain: Toyota is setting the pace for what the next generation of sports cars will look like in an electric era.
