Toyota FT-HS Concept Car

Needless to say, we're really excite about the concepts being shown at the NAIAS this year. In previous years, there's been some disappointing concepts being displayed, but this year, it looks all good. Adding to the list is this concept from Toyota: The FT-HS. Toyota designers system which spits out a serious 400hp. From a Needless to say, we here at AutoZealot.com are really excited to go to the NAIASaparently thought, "what can we do, that no one else can?" Well, the answer is build a true high-performance hybrid, and that's what they did. It's powered by a 3.5 liter V6 with a new-generation hybrid system. To tame all those earth friendly ponys, they went with their parts bin and matched it up to a planatary CVT tranny with close ratios. We'd normally object to re-using old parts on a concept car, but they added a paddle shifter, so we'll forgive them. The only performance numbers Toyota is releasing is a 0-60 time which is 4 seconds. And the mileage is reported to be in the mid-20s. Not to shabby!
Besides the obvious hindrance of a heavy battery pack, Toyota is also claiming that this car is road and track worthy due to its more potent regenerative breaking system which captures a lot more energy than it's current Synergy Drive system.
This concept is supposedly not far from production which is nice, but Toyota hasn't released an estimated price yet. Based on say the Supra, which during its last days was going for $40,000, this ride probably isn't going to be cheap. Yet, we think it'll still be in the grasp of somewhat normal humans when compared to the prices of the marques Toyota is claiming to go after with this: Porsche 911, Ferrari F430, and the Corvette (probably the closest competitor as far as cost goes.)
Looks wise, we love this thing. Almost the exact size as the Nissan 300Z, has really cool flying buttress style c-pillars, and it's got a really interesting roof. The large roof is opaque and retractable like a 911 Targa, but tilts back further to allow for a good view out the back window. The only draw back to this is it's a 2+2 with the top up, but turns into a two+zero with the top down. Other features of note are functional vents that force cool air over the batter pack and a hood with a viewing window of the engine. In theory, it sort of reminds us of the engine cover of a Ferrari. Yet instead of seeing a gleaming red and aluminum v12, you see...a battery pack. Sign of the times for sure, but still pretty cool in our books.

[Source: Automobile Magazine]