Besides the confirmed debut of the new Camry and possible preview of the new Vios at the KL International Motor Show (KLIMS 2018), which opens later this week, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) will be bringing some show vehicles to MITEC.
The showcar contingent consists of two concepts and one race car. The FT-1 and i-Road concepts, as well as the TS030 Hybrid race car, aren’t exactly factory fresh but they’re sure to provide some variety to the Toyota booth. We’ve seen them in the metal before, but not many Malaysians have, so it’ll be a treat.
“Visit KLIMS 2018 and see the Toyota FT-1 in person! Set to challenge the standard of vehicle design, the FT-1 gives pure performance a futuristic look,” Toyota Malaysia’s social media caption reads.
What it does not say is that the FT-1, first revealed in January 2014, is essentially the “Supra concept” that will bear fruit very soon – the production new Supra is set to (finally) debut in January 2019.
The FT-1 is a stunning sight to behold; it got me rooted to the spot at IIMS 2014, and I’m sure visitors will be fascinated. Have on standby a picture of the prototype Supra on your phone and compare; you’ll see that the basic shape and some features made it to the final draft.
There’s always a cute one at international motor shows, and the Toyota i-Road plays that role at KLIMS. The two-seat, three-wheeler takes corners like a motorcycle, and we hope that UMWT is preparing live demos for the “personal mobility vehicle” to have full impact.
Lastly, the Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) sports car. “The TS030 is proof that failure is merely an opportunity to do better. See the hybrid racing model that evolved into the triumphant TS050, winner of the 2018 FIA World Endurance Championships, at KLIMS 2018,” UMWT says.
The TS030 was quite a landmark car – used in the 2012 and 2013 seasons of the WEC, it was Toyota’s first all-new prototype since the red-white GT-One (TS020) last raced in 1999, and was also the first petrol-hybrid car to participate in the series. The “failure” mentioned above – perfectly encapsulated in heartbreaking fashion by the TS050 at Le Mans 2016 – finally tasted Le Mans success this year, as Toyota became the second Japanese carmaker to win the famous endurance race after Mazda in 1991.
So, there will be plenty of interesting cars at Toyota’s KLIMS booth, from new models that you can buy to notable concepts and race cars from the company’s archives. See you there!
GALLERY: Toyota FT-1 Concept at IIMS 2014
GALLERY: Toyota FT-1 Graphite
GALLERY: Toyota FT-1 at Detroit 2014
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pffft…i have already seen the FT-1 at IIMS 2014
So you can stay home then. More space for us peasants.
Toyota is good at painting concept. So when you driving a Vios, you will imagining you are driving an FT1 someday
Nice KLIMS . Woahh!
“finally tasted Le Mans success this year”
It was difficult NOT to taste Le Mans success this year, as there were no competitors.
Toyota (UMW) always bring in leftovers for Malaysian market.. Both the FT1 & I-road was already a few years ago.. If it was last year maybe still acceptable… But over 3 years old models concept or not is a big letdown also the LeMans winner.. Thy had to bring I nthe previous model & not the winning one (what a joke) .. Especially coming from a big player like Toyota.
Toyota race car driving into the ditch?