Toyota unveiled the FT-1 super sports concept on the inaugural day of the Detroit Motor Show at Michigan, USA. The concept looks staggeringly beautiful and is poles apart from the other Toyota products on display.
The FT-1 (Future Toyota 1) project began two years ago and was later slated to make its virtual appearance in the popular Sony playstation racing game Gran Turismo. Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corp, an avid race car fan himself took the FT-1 on the virtual Fuji Speedway. He was awestruck after testing its performance and completely mesmerised by its looks. Mighty impressed with the virtual car experience, he immediately gave a thumbs-up for a concept vehicle.
The concept gets wrap-around windshields and is the most aggressive sketch created in metal form by the Japanese car maker. The FT-1 features a front engine, rear-wheel driven layout propelled by a modern technology high-performance engine. The cockpit features a minimalist approach with Formula One-style steering wheel and a coloured heads-up display to keep the driver’s focus on the tarmac.
Toyota’s designs in the past have reflected a conservative, don’t-offend-anyone approach. Toyota, however, doesn’t believe in this philosophy and wants to introduce excitement in all its products.
The FT-1 is light years away from its production and there is no news on when it will be parked at your friendly neighbourhood Toyota showroom. However, enthusiasts can experience the super car virtually in the Gran Turismo game. This very concept may form the base for Toyota’s Supra successor in the future and might be jointly developed with partner BMW.
