DETROIT: Toyota showed off the FT-1 concept, its idea of "the ultimate sports car".
The design is modern yet makes references to Toyota’s sports car history, going back to the 2000GT of the mid-1960s.
The exterior captures the look of a racecar with a curvilinear form, pronounced front wings and sharply defined contrasts.
The FT-1’s aerodynamics are expressed by its large air intakes, exhaust ports and retractable rear wing.
The front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration allows the cockpit to be set further towards the rear of the car, within the wheelbase, helping improve weight distribution and create classic sports car proportions.
The wraparound windscreen and side glass arrangements are a clear nod to the design of the original 2000GT.
The ergonomics of the cabin capitalises on the car’s low centre of gravity, helping the driver derive the maximum reward from the driving experience.
A delta-shaped display zone is said to allow the driver to feel the heart of the action.
This quality is reinforced by the Formula 1-style steering wheel and a colour head-up display that projects key information just above the wheel. The designers have pushed the A-pillars as far back as possible, to increase visibility when cornering.
Traditionally, Toyota’s design decisions have been driven by consensus among a large group of people; as part of a company movement to give Toyota products more passion or excitement, the process has been streamlined.
