Unleashed at the ongoing 2014 NAIAS in Detroit is the Toyota FT-1, a concept that harks back to the Japanese company’s past sports cars. Its dynamic proportions come courtesy of a traditional front-engined, RWD configuration, which allows for a very sports car-like cab-backward stance.
This helps weight distribution, and thanks to A-pillars that have been pushed as far back as possible, there’s more cornering visibility to be had, Toyota says. The FT-1 is the work of Toyota’s Calty design studio in California, aiming “to give Toyota products more energy and passion” as well as to create cars that “connect more deeply with customers and generate a more satisfying ownership experience.”
Prominent frontal intakes, an F1-style protruding nose and front wing, striking 21-inch wheels wrapped in 245/35 series rubber, large twin tailpipes and a retractable rear wing make no bones about its performance aspirations. The wrap-around windscreen and side glass openings are clear nods to the 2000GT of the 1960s, while the long bonnet has a transparent section through which the engine is visible.
The driver faces an F1-inspired steering wheel with gear indicator and an engine start button. Flanking it are shift paddles, and just above it sits a colour head-up display and a delta-shaped display zone. We can also see deep bucket seats, a swoopy centre console and what appears to be aluminium pedals.
No official tech details have been divulged, but Toyota hints that power will come from a combustion engine instead of a hybrid powertrain. The car is set to be released for download on the Gran Turismo 6 racing game, as part of the Vision series.
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F1RST.
Looks like a real junk. I wonder if UMW will sell this here?
Crony UMW, will take our the VSC maybe
Japs are idiots. Cuba nak tanding dengan Ferrari dan Porsche. Tak boleh lah Jepun.
Don’t forget the Lexus LFA. It was one heck of a car.
takde ilmu jgn men blasa bro
They did actually..and they did it well…the Nissan GTR..its Monster!!
To lose your d1ck.
overdone..bit fugly
Can’t decide which is uglier… front or back!
That happens when Japanese gives American to do design
instead…
Look weird and stylish at the same time.
i like the side mirror design
But knowing Japanese concepts, you will be happy if the real thing looks 50% like this.
Whereas for the German concepts, when you see one, the real thing wont be that much different.
Tengu front end aside, it looks absolutely stunning everywhere else….espacially the rear 3/4. Heavily reminds me of the late TVR Segaris. Toyota is still heavily considering a GTR and NSX rival, and CEO Akio is very insisting on that happening. I do like Akio Toyoda savior plan to his family’s company, But…..will a production version really going to forgive them for 20 or so Sportscar-less vanilla they’ve become? For those still remember those great days.
Obviously, the early 1990s were that great days, almost all the Japanese carmakers scrambled to produce their own supercars, which had shocked the European sportscar fraternity in terms of technology and performance.Unfortunately, Japan Inc. didn’t carry the momentum for the next 20 years or so , until now..
It’s probably due to the economic situation the Japanese facing now. If they still pour in tons of money to develop something they can’t sell, they will go bankrupt. The company are now doing spend less earn more strategy to save the company but it’s coming to an end soon. Japanese car maker big 3 has a lot of interesting things coming soon like the NSX, FT-1 and probably the GT-R successor are developing now. Lexus started to play the game of the Premium brand to challenge the Germans and this generation of Lexus bringing quite a lot of surprise. Lexus LS successor probably unveiled in 2015 or 2016 and hope it likes it’s 1st gen that will send the S-Class back to drawing board.
The fact that the early 90s, Japan’s economics were still growing strong, like FrenzyAustin said, they poured tons and tons of money into making cars that excite people. Add to that, motorsport were in (but neraing the end)of their glory days, there was still homologations, and brute power and raw talent were in demand, unlike today where regulations are as cownfusing and complicated as Fermat’s last Theoreum, and lawyer have bigger roles than the drivers in most races.
The motorsport glory and Japan’s economics meant that Japan had the money and time to give the hairy-chested, elbow greese folks of the era the stuff they wanted, and also motorsport participation meant that those little tech fizzle into their normal production cars. Of courese than Japan went into an economic bubble, funding ceased and the makers turn their attention into cars that can actually make them money. And Corollas and Civics started to become more civilised and grown up, but also much duller. Let’s be honest we can say how much we desire a Skyline GTR or even a Civic type-R, but only a small fraction of the world will actually buy them, its nice that they exist but its not making them money and Japanese car makers are running a buisness, not a charitable organisation.
Than we have the growing times, Japanese cars are known to be hairy chested and pure exhilerated fun, but they were never civilised or I dare say, good looking. So the world moved to a new millenieum, people now are more knowlegable and demand safety and comfort, and Japanese cars gave that(not Malaysia). The younger more narcissitic #Twiiter#Selfie genearation now wants a car that are aesthatically pleasing or SWAG so that they are able to present themselve better, cool gizmos in the car also helps, and lo and behold, the Koreans make their move.
There was a saying that Koreans prioritized appearence more that anything else, and their car demonstrate that. Power and chassis dynamic becomes almost irralevent and the Koreans capitalised this growing Socialized world and put all their R&D into desgn and it pays off handsomely. The Forte and Genesis thou lacking in almost all departmemt forced the world’s attention to divert across the Tsuchima strait, and now that they have your curiosity, they want your attention. Agressive spending on marketing paid off and suddenly we have a world contender.
Japan on the other hand isn’t so lucky, the emergence of China meant that Japan’s dirty past is hitting headlines again, and couple that with messy politics and Natural disasters meant that Japan is not getting any good names. Carmakers in Japan are suffering from heat at home and from the world. The world suddenly wants good looking car that is cheap and specced well, the Japanese don’t do good-looking well considering the internet associate with stuff that crazily weird with the japanese.
Lately, the Japanese are picking up some steam, as frenzyaustin said, Lexus is designing cars that steals your attention weather you like it or not. Honda is coming out with new powertrain and Toyota is moving from dull to very agressive in line with Lexus, and also racing in the TS030 . Nissan also showed the world that it can defy physics with the GTR and captivate people with the idx concept. But even with all this, there are skeptism and downright hate on the internet, I really do hope it is not due to the current events in politics bringing up the old japanophobia, but Japan is at least showing some promising moves in tthe latest autoshows.
Wow……thats an essay!!!hope PT puts this ina different article, haha.
where did u find this article?
Oh, I wrote it this through my own thoughts and R&D. Excuse for the grammar mistakes
dont forget, the worldwide recall issue that affected Japanese carmakers P&L
6 words – Just Produce It As It Is
Very nice. Now, put it into the real world please.
Toyota. anyone?
Camry and Vios has more Rv than this.
even without RV i still buy it if i have money..
Camry & vios, the definitive cars for cheapskates.
Rv = Roadside value LOL
Sam, Toyota mar… no RV meh? C’mon…
This is what i call COOL sports car, compare with that KIA Eyeless GT4 which such a joke…lol
Looks like combination of a Dodge Viper and a McLaren Mercedes SLR to me
Compare this to the kia stinger…..that’s a joke
nice car but my fat ass can’t fit in the back seat of this shit
Consider yourself lucky if they even put a backseat there.
overdone like it can fly instead a 911 easily can smoke this. Such design is suitable if installed with jet propulsion for vertical airlifting and a pair of turboprops for moving forward.
Hopefully Toyota can make it a production reality.We haven’t seen much from Japan Inc. that can challenge the Europe’s best mainstream sportscars ,other than the Nissan GTR. Honda’s new NSX is set to be ready sometime this year. We are yet to see something awesome from Toyota, this concept could be the first real indication of it and hopefully not just another pointless concept car..
The “F1 nose” design looks a little weird to me. Nice steering design though.
Gosh what an ugly rear.. Too “beng” man
there isn’t one particular angle that really stands out…but overall it just looks stunning
Its designed by their American design studio, not by their Japanese designers as indicated. Therefore targeting American consumers, which are quite Ah Beng-ish also, considering the F&F movie franchise!
F&F all use Japanese car also.
It may look like Toyota is trying to copy some designs from other makes (see through bonnet like Ferrari, or that rear machanical spoiler from many others).
BUT I LIKE!!
Personally now it looks like a car that can match other makes. Better looking than Lexus LFA!
it has two cooling fans at front ^^
Finally something gorgeous looking from toyota after so long.
Toyota practically owned the Detroit show with the FT-1 and the Lexus RC-F.
BTW, there are speculations where they think the FT-1 could come with a V10; by the looks of the engine cover, because they think it’s too big for a straight six and also too long for a V8.
i’ll go for corvette Z06
you must be driving cheap plotong only.. u know that corvette wont come to this country?
Correction: This is not part of GT Vision for Toyota. This is a free car dlc in GT6 just like the BMW M4. Which you can get for free by playing the latest seasonal updates or you could just buy the car after the latest update.
Looks like ft-86 on steroids…
looks like my buttocks when its clenched.
The legend is back!
very good looking car.. the rear and side of this car must be inspired from vios
calty design has provide the shape and look, toyota turns is to provide good engine. this car going to be first choice being compared with other brand sports car ie 911, F-type, AMG-GT, stingray GT4, the new corvette. the idea should have this car above them in especially for engine performance. i must say
this is downright outrageous, a big departure from the rather drab designs in toyota’s stable – and heck that is a good thing! =)
ONE WORD.FERRARI.THIS CONCEPT DIDNT HAVE ANY DISTINGUISHABLE FEATURE FROM THE ONE FROM FERRARI.
you get to “drive” this on Gran Turismo 6 already :-)
Looks like a Dodge Viper that went through cosmetics surgery at Sunway body kits shops
nice concept and F1 on the road, looks attractive and so powerfull. i believe the performance also nearly or same a F1. also hope we can see as a f1 marshall car.
I’ve already driven this car…..in Gran Turismo 6; of course ;)
Holy shit man…. but 1st car come to my mind , looks abit like D. Viper.
or Covertte
Toyota FT 1
F***ING TREMENDOUS 1!!!!!