Report: Toyota FT-HS coming in 2009
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The June '07 print edition of Automobile is full of juicy information, and one of the more significant bits of news appears in a sidebar on page 30. According to the magazine, Toyota has given the FT-HS hybrid sports car the green light, and the Calty-designed production version will make its debut in 2009. It's being billed by Automobile as the spiritual successor to the late, lamented Supra -- a position that's hard to argue assuming you can look past the probable lack of an inline 6. Like the concept, the two-seat FT-HS will pair the company's Hybrid Synergy Drive with an as-yet-undetermined gasoline engine (the concept utilized a 3.5-liter V6). Power and pricing aren't discussed, but if the numbers thrown around when the concept was introduced -- 400 horses and mid-level dollar amounts -- are feasible, the thing should have plenty of takers.
[Source: Automobile, June 2007]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John R 10:15AM (5/09/2007)
yes! but they need to clean up some of the harsh edges...and not call it FT-HS. i'm not saying they should call it the Supra or Celica (would be nice), but i'm getting kinda of tired of alphanumerics
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Tommy Pierce 9:35AM (7/06/2007)
this is one of the best looking cars in history (i guess that is quite arguable but plenty agree so far) and this could be, quite literally, one of the finest cars ever produced (that part at least most of us agree).
stefan 10:36AM (5/09/2007)
That thing is one of the best looking coupe's ever.
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FLR 10:48AM (5/09/2007)
#2...Really? I have the exact opposite reaction. I think it's hideous.
To each his own.
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Doogs 10:54AM (5/09/2007)
I say call it the Toyota Stormtrooper and call it a day.
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Mike 10:59AM (5/09/2007)
That thing is hideous.
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sammy z 11:01AM (5/09/2007)
fucking yes! go go go!
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DarkKnight67 11:01AM (5/09/2007)
They may have plenty of takers, but I won't be one of them. That thing is about as ugly as they come.
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White Goodman 11:03AM (5/09/2007)
Hmmm... a Toyota that I actually wouldn't be ashamed of owning. I happen to absolutely love the styling - one of my favorite concepts of the past 4-5 years - and if they build it with honest-to-goodness sporting intentions, it would be tough to ignore.
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JapH8r 11:04AM (5/09/2007)
NO!NO!NO! That thing is so bad that the only thing I'd take would be a cyanide pill or pepto bismol ... to get out of there or get the shit out of my brain for buying such a monstrosity.
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Doogs 11:09AM (5/09/2007)
"honest-to-goodness sporting intentions"
Every Toyota I've ever driven has all the steering reisitance and feedback of a Pole Position arcade rig. They'll need to work on that.
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MR Noy 8:04AM (1/19/2008)
Have you ever driven an MR2? It was #1 in 1985. Toyota produces some of the best sports cars. The FT-HS will be the next #1 sports car in today's market.
Ligor 11:17AM (5/09/2007)
i'm just not sure i'f fork over $50k for it
take the hybrid option out, make it $35k with the V6 and call it the Celica
would be nice
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Fragmaster170 11:18AM (5/09/2007)
Reminds me of an Alfa Romeo SZ and not in a good way.
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Cly 11:19AM (5/09/2007)
I think it's hideous. But what do I know, I'm an old geezer.
Judging by the design Toyota probably out sourced this car to China.
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DuckFat 11:21AM (5/09/2007)
That is the best ass-end of a car I've seen in years. There are very few cars that have a distinctive look from the rear but this I love.
Why not chop that V6 in half and give it about 200HP on a lightweight chassis? We need a "cheap but fun" hybrid sports car not another $35-40K car that only enviro-posers would want.
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Clinton 11:32AM (5/09/2007)
Paint it black (matte?) and it might make the next Batman movie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batmobile
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Will 11:46AM (5/09/2007)
Oh, here we go again... A car rag saying: The (Insert Manufacturer) has approved production of the (Insert Model), due to be in showrooms (Insert current date + 12 months). Remember the V10 rumor?
Automotive News: "All the rumors of the two-passenger sports car's return are false" This line came soon after they reported that the Supra would return by 2008.
Let's all remember how well the Supra fared here in the US. It was so popular, (ahem), that it was only sold until 1998, even though production continued through 2002 in Japan. The rock solid Turbo 2JZ engine couldn't pass 4 of our state's stringent emmisions standards in 1996, so it was only available with an automatic transmission. In '97, they stopped selling the Turbo in those states, altogether.
All in all, the MK IV Supra wasn't as popular then as it is to today's video game generation, and I believe the same fate is in store for the MK V, as the kids who lust after it can't afford a $60,000 Toyota.
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sw 12:11PM (5/09/2007)
If this car can replicate the smile that was put my face, or anyone else's face that ever drove a supra. This should be one hell of a sports car.
And if you can badmouth a supra, bet you dollars to donuts, you've never driven one.
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GOKARTN 12:17PM (5/09/2007)
Nice,
It is good to have a creative looking Toyota. Their cars have had some Eastern Block bland cars, that only a Hyundai fan could love.
This one has some balls to it. Lets' see if Toyota is willing to actually produce something that is not trying to be for everyone.
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