Toyota FT-Se Is A Love Child of the MR2 and Supra
Ah, the joy of new vehicle unveilings. I've spent decades waxing poetic about combustion engines, the purr of a well-tuned V8, the growl of a motorcycle on the open road. But now? Enter the age of the whisper-quiet electric motor and this old soul is adjusting…slowly.
So, when Toyota's Gazoo Racing division unveiled the FT-Se concept car, I found myself torn between nostalgia and eager anticipation. It's like they took a peek into my teenage dreams, blending MR2 charisma with a hint of Supra oomph. Size-wise, it might fit the footprint of the MR2, but, goodness me, the energy is all Supra!
Looking at it, I thought, "If this is what we're branding as the future electric MR2, well, here's my wallet, Toyota."
First off, let's talk about the numbers. This electric beauty measures roughly 172.4 inches (4,380 mm) long, 74.6 inches (1,895 mm) wide, and a modest 48 inches (1,220 mm) tall. The wheelbase? A stretchy 104.3 inches (2,650 mm). And if you're whispering Supra specs under your breath, I'm right there with you.
Now, batteries. By 2026, Toyota is hinting we could see a new Performance lithium-ion pack, which they claim offers an impressive range of about 497 miles (that's some 800 km for you metric aficionados). And if that isn't enough to make you sit up, they're also suggesting it might bring down production costs by a whopping 40%. That's almost half for those of you who skipped math class to daydream about cars like I did.
Step inside, and it's futuristic alright. Dual smartphone-like displays flanking a sleek yoke steering wheel. But here's the kicker: whispers of a manual gearbox! I almost choked on my coffee. Remember that joke about electric cars feeling like overpowered golf carts? Well, Toyota's planning to throw a wrench in that narrative. How about programming the car to have an authentic manual feel? Rollback on an incline? Simulating a stall? Cheeky, Toyota, very cheeky.
"We are making battery EVs like only a true car maker can," said Koji Sato. And boy, they're trying. A low center of gravity with a spacious interior? Sounds like black magic, but I'm all ears.
Now, the FT-Se does leverage Toyota's advanced modular architecture. You might think, "Modular? Sounds like fancy LEGO," but it means the car's design allows for various shapes and powertrain layouts. Gigacasting reduces components, giving the car more oomph and lowering production costs. It's like building a cake and eating it too.
The FT-Se has an old dog like me, cautiously optimistic. It's a blend of everything I've loved from Toyota's golden years with the promise of tomorrow's tech. Would I swap my gasoline guzzler for one? Maybe. Would I have a boatload of fun test-driving it? Absolutely.
Here's hoping Toyota brings this concept to our roads soon. Till then, I'll be here, fingers and toes crossed, eagerly waiting.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
