► New Toyota FT-Se concept revealed
► Electric, mid-engined baby sports car
► Could it replace the GR86 or MR-2?
Toyota has revealed the FT-Se concept – a dinky, two-seat electric sports car concept. The show car was unveiled at the 2023 Japan Mobility show (formerly known as the Tokyo motor show).
According to the brand, the concept is designed as ‘a high-performance sports BEV model proposed as one of the options for sports cars in the carbon-neutral era.’ The FT-Se has been designed using expertise from the brand’s Gazoo Racing division, and its diminutive size implies dimensions similar to both the GR86 and MR-2.
The FT-Se goes hard on its aerodynamics, with a super-sharp look outside. The cosy interior is kept simple with a yoke-like steering wheel and swathes of blue suede-like upholstery. The interior even includes padded areas of the centre console that act as kneepads for hard driving.
The brand has also implied that software updates to the car could enhance its performance. CEO Koji Sato has also mentioned Toyota’s developments regarding a ‘manual’ gearshift for electric cars, designed to introduce more involvement into the process.
It’s all part of Toyota’s mission to make low and zero-emissions cars that aren’t just for transport. The brand says that it ‘Toyota believes that future mobility will go beyond providing physical transportation tools to becoming a lifestyle partner closely aligned with each customer’s individual values.’