Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept features funky looks, zero emissions

Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept features funky looks, zero emissions

Filed under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Toyota, Alternative Fuel

Toyota FT-EV II concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has revealed its latest plug-in electric concept car here at the Tokyo Motor Show. The FT-EV II is a followup to the iQ-based FT-EV that we saw in Detroit earlier this year but appears to be a ground-up design that takes advantage of the electric drive architecture. The iQ is promoted as a 3+1 layout because the presence of the steering column and instrument cluster force the driver's seat to be further back - limiting the already small rear seat behind it.

The new concept uses a complete drive-by-wire system with joystick-like controls that feature a steam-punk design motif. The result is wide open space in the front, which conspire with the very thin-shell seats to offer decent room inside. The car also has sliding doors on both sides. It's not known if this concept represents a design direction for an urban BEV that Toyota will likely build to meet ZEV mandates in the next five years, but it would seem to make sense for Toyota to do a custom design such as this.


Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept



Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept features funky looks, zero emissions originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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