At last, a new car at a major motorshow that's a genuine surprise. The rumour mill had been grinding in high gear about the possibility of Toyota showing a potential new Supra at the Detroit show and here it is in all it's OTT glory - the FT-1.
For those wondering whether or not Toyota will actually make a car based on this concept, perhaps the fact that FT-1 stands for Future Toyota 1 will give some hint, and it's likely that a production version will be based on the recently signed agreement with BMW to collaborate on a rear-drive sports car chassis.
Designed in Toyota's California based studio and think tank, CALTY, the FT-1 has been designed to eradicate Toyota's reputation for conservative, 'consensus' based design.
"The FT-1 is a dream-project for a designer and car enthusiast like myself," said Alex Shen, CALTY's Studio Chief Designer. "Our team was heavily influenced by Toyota's sports car past, especially Celica and Supra, and we sought to capture some of that history. It is an aggressive, track-focused sports car concept with a presence that has been amplified for shock and awe."
Toyota isn’t giving away many tech details just at the moment other than that it’s powered by a high-output mid-front mounted petrol engine which is visible through a glass panel in the bonnet, and that the interior features high-tech TFT screens and one-piece lightweight carbon seats.
