Toyota Gives Porshe a Run for Their Money With the FT-Se

Everything is going electric these days, including sports cars. Toyota is jumping in with their two-seat FT-Se. They recently unveiled the concept version at the Tokyo Auto show, and it not only looks great, it has the power and handling to give even the Porshe electric sports car a run for its money. It may be a while before you see this at a Toyota dealership, but take a look at a few details that Toyota released about the FT-Se.

What Does It Have for Power?

Power for the Toyota FT-Se concept sports car comes from two electric motors. One drives the front axle, and the other powers the rear axle, which also means it comes standard with all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive system will have a rear-wheel bias. This is not only for better traction but also because drivers of the FT-Se will most likely want to drift. This bias will also make it better for cornering, but the sideways drifting is what will make customers really happy.
The motors get their juice from Toyota’s third-generation battery. Quick is the name of the game with this setup. It’s expected to zip from zero to 62 mph in just three seconds, so the sprint to 60 mph could potentially drop below three seconds.

Light, But Strong Construction

The FT-Se concept is made with a lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic along with aluminum and steel. The goal was to make it not only light but to keep it stiff too. Toyota worked on aerodynamics to help with speed and handling. It has a big diffuser that provides some extra downforce.
Toyota did not release the dimensions of the FT-Se, but it sits low and wide with wheels pushed far out to the corners. The front bumper is noticeably designed for an EV, and the rear spoiler has extra space underneath.

No, It’s Not an MR2 or a Supra

Toyota has a lot going on in the sports car world. They previously confirmed that they plan to produce an electric sports car within the next three years, and many believe this will be an electric version of the Supra. Toyota execs didn’t give a lot of information about the FT-Se, but they were quick to point out that it is not a part of the MR2’s or the Supra’s lineup. It is a brand-new design.

Nürburgring Here It Comes

One of the goals for the FT-Se is a trip around the Nürburgring. Toyota won’t say what their target lap time is, but they plan to bring a prototype to the famous track in the future. The challenge is keeping the battery temperature low while making the trip around.

Will It Go into Production?

Concept cars are a tricky concept. The designers create them to get car enthusiasts’ hopes up, but not every concept makes it to production. This doesn’t sound like the case for the Toyota FT-Se. Toyota execs are planning to bring it to production in the next few years, so don’t be surprised when you see it at a Toyota dealerships before 2030. Porsche better watch out.