Posted on 10/19/2023 8:27:42 AM PDT by Red Badger
The FT-Se concept’s interior shows a "steering apparatus" that may play into the same steer-by-wire EV system as the Lexus RZ.
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Toyota has been slow in adopting EVs; the bZ4X is the only current model. But the Japanese brand has big plans for EV battery tech, and Toyota may be poised to become a dominant player in the EV space.
What will that future look like? Toyota is previewing it with two new concepts at the Japan Mobility Show. There's no electric pickup yet. But one of the two concepts definitely looks like an electric Supra.
Meet the Toyota FT-Se Concept
Toyota calls the FT-Se its "high-performance sports BEV." It looks like a concept version of an electric Supra and carries GR branding like the GR Supra and GR86 sports cars. It shares a platform with Toyota's other EV concept being revealed, the FT-3e crossover.
Toyota described the concept as having "wide and low proportions" to reduce drag. One of the significant innovations with Toyota's next-gen battery pack will be reducing the height of battery packs for better aerodynamic efficiency.
The Toyota FT-Se has a yoke
The FT-Se concept uses a yoke-like steering apparatus. Toyota has been a proponent of this design with EVs. The Lexus RZ offers one with its steer-by-wire technology. And the related Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra have cockpits that look like they were designed for one.
The FT-Se features a driver-centric layout with the instrument display low and recessed and two screens flanking the steering apparatus to the right and left.
The FT-Se concept also offers knee pads
Toyota says the FT-Se Concept has "newly designed knee pads" that "protect the driver from G-forces during driving."
Will Toyota's electric sports car get a manual?
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda confirmed in June 2023 that he had driven a prototype for a GR electric sports car and that it had featured a manual transmission with a clutch. Lexus's electric LFA successor has also been linked with having a manual transmission.
When will Toyota's electric sports car arrive?
Toyota has not announced when it will produce an electric sports car. The FT-Se concept looks a ways off being a production car. And we expect Toyota will prioritize more mass-market projects like the three-row SUV and electric pickup. Toyota is supposed to roll out its next-gen EV battery and platform technology in 2026, which could be when we see the sports car.
They’re going to need to be very creative just like their commercials to sell that battery crap
It slices!
It dices!
It makes mounds of coleslaw!.........................
Does look like a pumpkin, don’t it? LOL.
Until they fix the battery issue, to where I can drive 650 miles with a trailer and all the weather conditions one can think of, it’s not useful.
Now there is an idea. Maybe the Department of Defense should look into dropping EV’s onto enemy targets in future conflicts.
All IC car engines have alternators which among other things charge the car’s conventional battery.
Of course those batteries are not then turned around and used as part of an alternate propulsion system.
How much gas mileage do you think was being lost by the need to recharge your EV Toyota Hybrid’s relatively much larger battery while driving with the IC engine?
Thanks RB. Gee, I thought Toyota had already built agasolinehydrogenpowered car that was going to end EVs once and for all. ;^)
My Tacoma is a 2012 DB Cab V6 long bed. It just turned 104m miles.
It is my third Tacoma. The best of the three. IMHO better than the current models. So, I may just keep this one.
What I would like to buy is something fun to drive part of the time that is NOT a money pit. I started looking at Mercedes SL 500-550s. I was advised against them because of cost of repairs. Then I looked at BMW 335 and 435 hard top convertibles. Again I was told about high maintenance costs.
Now I am looking at Lexus IS350 hard top convertibles and Infinity G37/Q60 hard top convertibles. These are both naturally asperated V6 engines. The Lexus has 306HP. The Infinity has 320HP.
Any recommendations would be appreciated
That’ll look great sitting at the charger for 4 hours or on the side of the road after a traffic jam in 100 degree weather.
Agree—never.
Sportscars in general, regardless of engines, are not useful...................
“The FT-Se concept also offers knee pads “
Well, that will make Lewinsky, Harris, and the oversized electric golf cart crowd interested.
This is one way electrics could shine. The first is single people who live in urban areas where an electric would be a step up from their bicycle or skateboard. The other is as the third, “fun” car. You don’t need it for long trips. It’s just your fun car. You don’t depend on it. It’s basically a toy or hobby car.
The FT-Se concept uses a yoke-like steering apparatus.
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Of course it does. Concept cars always do. Interior stylists hate a big round steering wheel because it ruins their clean lines but unfortunately for them it’s the only shape that really works for steering. So you get a svelte looking yoke in the concept car but a traditional round wheel in the production version.
Wouldn’t want to get hit being in one of those bet it comes stock with a free body bag.
And it’s ugly too
in the mid 90’s, i bought a mint condition 1987 1/2 Toyota Supra....easily the best car i ever owned. The speedometer went to 200....one night, on the John C lodge heading into downtown Detroit, i dropped it into 5th gear and buried the needle to 200. Car was straight as an arrow...no vibration, no nothing. Man, i got so many compliments on that car....
My GTI was fun to drive, but maintenance was a bitch. Great around town gokart.
Do EVs come with a voice , “ STOP ,RUN , it’s going to blow”
To go where? Cities are congested, so 0-60 metrics are a joke.
I’m more of a minivan kind of person.
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