Tokyo Preview: Toyota FT-EV II Electric Car Unveiled Ahead of Official Debut
Toyota will take the wraps off an updated version of its FT-EV electric car at the Tokyo Auto Show in just a few weeks. Called the FT-EV II, the car is designed for urban use with a total range of 90 km (56 miles) and a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).
This news comes just days after Toyota Europe’s R&D boss downplayed the significance of electric cars.
Toyota says the FT-EV II is even smaller than the iQ city car, and yet has more interior room with seating for four people. Sliding side doors also make it easier to use in tight urban settings.
As for the operation, Toyota says all aspects of the car can be controlled though a joystick, including acceleration, braking and steering. In fact, part of the reason for the four-person space is the removal of the pedals, giving extra leg room for the driver.
The FT-EV II is still a concept car (like the strange Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea-themed joystick didn’t give that away), but Toyota is moving closer to bringing an electric city car to market in the next few years.
Toyota will also showcase its Prius PHEV as well as the FT-86 sports car concept at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show starting October 21st.
GALLERY: Toyota FT-EV II
Official release after the jump:
FT-EV II (world premiere)
The FT-EV II is a compact EV designed for short distances, and it is based
on the idea of a future mobility society in which EVs are common, and means
of transport are divided according to purpose, the characteristics of the
energy to be used and the status of the supply infrastructure. The FT-EV
II features a high-quality package extremely convenient in urban settings.
Ultra-efficient package with body more compact than ultra-compact
“iQ”, but still with seating for four
Drive-by-wire technology enables joystick operation of all functions
including accelerator, brakes and steering wheel; ample legroom
provided by elimination of accelerator and brake pedals
Vehicle designed with low front cowl and auxiliary window below
windshield for outstanding forward visibility; further
consideration paid to safety around vehicle led to see-through LED
rear combination taillights
Electric sliding doors on both sides facilitate ingress and egress,
particularly in narrow spaces
Top-speed of over 100km/h
Easy coverage of over 90km on fully charged battery—ample for
everyday use
Extremely quiet and comfortable ride with smooth acceleration, thanks
to TMC-cultivated motor-control technology, which is part of the
hybrid system at core of TMC’s environmental technologies
FT-EV II
| | | | |
| | | | |
Vehicle | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Seating
| | | | |
————————–+————-+————-+————-+————–+———–
| | | | |
| | | | |
FT-EV II | 2,730 mm | 1,680 mm | 1,490 mm | 1,900 mm | 4
| | | | |
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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