This is the kind of thing we need to see if we are to wean performance-loving drivers away from gas guzzlers to more economical solutions. The Toyota FT-HS is a hybrid sports car concept whose time has come.
The Toyota FT-HS is a hybrid sports car concept introduced at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. I have been drooling ever since. Auto experts are buzzing about this being the replacement for the Toyota Supra, and I don’t have a problem with that! Toyota is on the money with this very hot concept design.
Well Toyota plans to sell the FT-HS somewhere in the mid 30k range which, if correct, has me sold as I type this down. The goal of the rear wheel drive(thank god!) hybrid powertrain is to produce 400 horsepower and achieve 0-60 mph in around 4 seconds. This is accomplished with by combining a 3.5-liter V6 and an electric motor in a similar manner to the Lexus GS450h.
We need to develop more alternative-power vehicles, as progress can only come from real-world exploration of designs, styles, and power systems. I hope this concept sees the light of day.
Just another concept car – it isn’t getting me excited.
However the 2009 Prius, with a 1.8 liter engine, newer battery technology and electric motor – bringing up the 50MPG city avg to 80MPG in city driving is exciting.
Toyota is driving down the prices of the Prius, because the car is now popular enough, and probably because they’re making enough profit, can afford to make less – or none – profit on the Prius, in exchange for volume.
The car I really wanted is the Mitshibushi Motor-In-Wheel Vehicle, the all-electric Lancer.
http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/e/corporate/detail1321.html
So I’m corporate leasing the Prius for now, and in 4 years either the Lancer MIEV or another MIEV.
This blog post car is irrelevant if produced, will simply compete with the all-electric Tesla – in the high end market.
I want down to earth, and the 3-wheeled ZAP car, is, well, looks like a toy, not a car.
1,
A $100,000 car (Tesla) is going to compete against one costing $30,000 (the Toyota)?
Also, note that this car is also made by the builder of the Prius. I think we can safely assume they know what they are doing (far better than our car manufacturers, sadly).
Sorry, Zap does have a decent MIEV car coming to market.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/01/zap_and_lotus_t.html#more
The APX’s supercharged gasoline 3.0-liter V6 engine will be replaced by in-hub electric motors, delivering 644 horsepower in all-wheel drive mode, theoretically capable of powering the ZAP-X to a potential top speed of 155 mph.
Wow. We should give the small guys credit, like ZAP, compared to the mega-corps like Toyota that can easily spend a billion in R & D.
Now how do we go about getting a $25,000 tax break for buying an electric car like the tax break that exists for businesses buying a 6,000 pound truck?
If the Bush administration and Congress were serious about our “addiction to oil,” there would be some large incentives for consumers to do something about it.
4,
Agreed.
Smartalix, since when do the pricing on concept cars actually materialize?
For sure will be much cheaper than the all-electric Tesla, hybrids are cheaper in this respect, but I can’t possibly imagine a mid-30k pricetag on a full-blown luxury sports car.
How much do Audi A4’s go for? Or the sports Lexus? I think this car will cater to the high end in that respect.
And the Tesla’s are sold-out for the next 2 years at least…so there’s a demand for Green & Powerful.
6,
According to the article, the vehicle will have a mid-$30,000 tag. It doesn’t say “Full blown luxury sports car”, it says “a possible replacement for the Supra” which makes that price point credible.
Noooo, not a better looking car than my Prius and still Green !!!
And practically the same price! not fair
Haven’t found the article reference, but the Prius price is coming way down, and the resell is very high – meaning very low depreciation.
Meaning some dealers will lease (2006 in stock) 4 years for 209$/month.
If you’re spending over 300$ a month in gas, you owe yourself a look. Gas won’t be getting cheaper, and seems to have stabilized.
This is the kind of thing that makes sense. Keep the truck or muscle car, just find a way to run it more efficiently.
This is the kind of thing that GM, Ford, Chrylser et all should be doing instead of dumping cheap crap on the market.