- This light-weight two-seat EV has simply been revealed on the Tokyo auto present.
- The small and glossy automotive exhibits the flexibility of Toyota’s subsequent electrical structure.
- It could possibly be the one to ship on Akio Toyoda’s promise for “three brothers” in its sports-car household, alongside the GR86 and Supra.
Toyota dropped teaser pictures about an electrical sports-car idea final week, and now the FT-Se has been totally unveiled on the Tokyo auto present. Having seen it up shut, we will report each that it appears nice, but additionally that—though there isn’t a affirmation of any intent—except for some outlandish particulars, it appears to be prepared for manufacturing.
Whereas Toyota hasn’t launched technical particulars, the truth that the FT-Se was unveiled alongside the FT-3e crossover idea signifies the adaptability of the corporate’s next-generation EV platform. Toyota has confirmed that each automobiles will share main parts.
Toyota has beforehand mentioned it’s engaged on a brand new ultra-compact battery structure, with cells underneath 100 mm (3.9 inches) in top. The FT-Se’s low, glossy strains counsel that it’s designed to accommodate these.
The FT-Se is a two-seater that’s clearly within the custom of the light-weight MR2 that was bought throughout three generations between the Nineteen Eighties and the early 2000s. We do not have dimensions, however it’s low and visually huge, with wheels pushed out to the far corners of its bodywork. The entrance bumper incorporates sizable apertures for an EV, with more room beneath the rear spoiler with full-width strakes beneath this, which have us pondering of the rear grilles of the Ferrari 512.
There isn’t a doubt that one thing very just like the FT-Se may match simply into Toyota’s portfolio of efficiency fashions. The corporate’s earlier boss, Akio Toyoda, spoke of his need for “three brothers,” and we see the FT-Se as having sturdy potential to turn out to be the third of those alongside the Supra and GR86, finishing that triumvirate.
As befits a sporty Toyota mannequin the FT-Se is proven carrying the GR branding of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing efficiency division.
We have not been in a position to see contained in the GT-Se but, however Toyota guarantees each a brand new, decrease instrument panel and knee pads to guard a driver from excessive g-forces whereas driving. Toyota has beforehand admitted to having constructed an EV sports-car prototype incorporating a digital stick shift, and the manufacturing model of the GT-Se would appear to be an apparent candidate to present this its debut. (Hyundai has an identical system within the Ioniq 5 N, though that oneuses paddles for its simulated guide ratios moderately than an H-gate.)
Presuming the FT-Se does make it to manufacturing, it should doubtless discover itself in a well-stocked pond. Porsche is engaged on an electrical next-gen Cayman, Lotus has confirmed it should have an EV substitute for the retired Elise, and Renault subsidiary Alpine is individually engaged on one other light-weight sports-EV.
Senior European Correspondent
Our man on the opposite aspect of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain however studies from throughout Europe, generally past. He has beforehand held employees roles on UK titles together with CAR, Autocar and evo, however his personal automotive tastes have a tendency in the direction of the Germanic, proudly owning each a hard 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16.
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