Toyota FT-Me debuts – tiny city car concept; sub-2.5m EV with solar roof; rival to Citroen Ami, Microlino

Tiny city cars have a place in European cities where parking is limited. Cars like the Citroen Ami, Microlino and Fiat Topolino are examples of such vehicles that occupy a small footprint and are ideal for short-range mobility.

Inspired by the success of its mobility solutions developed for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Toyota is presenting the FT-Me concept to address the needs of city dwellers and challenges of modern urban environments.

Much like other city cars, the electric FT-Me is a two-seat vehicle that measures less than 2.5 metres in length. According to Toyota, the design of the concept, which is inspired by a jet helmet, emphasises manoeuvrability and it occupies only half a standard parking space or just one third where perpendicular parking is permitted.

The company also focused on making the FT-Me accessible, with holders of entry-level driving licences able to operate the vehicle, including those as young as 14 in some markets. A 360-degree visibility concept makes it easy to see out of, and hand controls mean wheelchair users won’t require heavy modifications to use it.

The electric vehicle (EV) comes with advanced connectivity features and is available with customisable options to suit the needs of users. Top Gear reports that the passenger seat can be removed to make room for a pet or other items, while the rear has a 1.6-metre loading bay.

Toyota isn’t providing much in the way of technical details for now, but it notes that the propulsion system consumes three times less energy per km than a high-capacity EV. The main battery can also be charged via a solar panel roof, adding 20 to 30 km of range per day, which can reduce the need to be plugged in.

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