NEWS
FT-1 concept resurfaces
Toyota designers reimagine Supra successor in graphite finish and trimmed in saddle leatherDesigners at Toyota's CALTY styling studio in California have revisited the FT-1 Concept that debuted at the North American International Auto Show earlier this year.
The show car, which is the basis for a new sports car to replace the long departed Supra, has been rolled out once more, but this time in a graphite finish and featuring saddle tan interior highlights. In Detroit, back in January, it had been red.
According to the company, the follow-up FT-1 was inspired by superhero movie posters. We're not seeing it ourselves...
Batman has his Batmobile – and the FT-1 looks nothing like any iteration of Batmobile we recall seeing. The Green Hornet drives a very boxy (and 60s retro) Chrysler... or at least Kato does; again, it shares nothing with the FT-1.
Other superheros don't seem to drive at all. Not Captain America, not the Hulk, not Superman, not even Iron Man. Thor has been known to put the hammer down, but not in an automotive context...
No, sorry Toyota, if anything the FT-1 reminds us of the first film in the 'The Fast and the Furious' franchise... and particularly the Supra appearing in that celluloid opus.
But no, it turns out that Toyota is referring to the interior design. It's INSIDE the car that's supposed to make you think 'oh yes, I recall seeing that in...' whatever movie (and poster); and the "high-tech performance materials" are reminiscent of MODERN superhero films – without the primary colours and the undies worn on the outside.
In Toyota's press release, Selene Lee, a CALTY designer, was quoted explaining the motivating factors behind the reinvention of the FT-1, although suspiciously, she made no mention of superhero movie posters providing the inspiration...
"From the start of the FT-1 project, we wanted the driver to have a feeling of flow while at the wheel – to be able to focus on the road and nothing else.
"In the colour studio we help create the atmosphere of the vehicle, and our aim was to ensure everything supported the driver through efficient choices. The saddle leather maintains that same 'in the zone' driving intention, while bringing in a more premium feeling."
Toyota is heavily promoting FT-1 currently, and that includes as the star of Gran Turismo 6. Gamers can choose between the 'standard' FT-1, or a GT3-style race version. From September the FT-1 will be downloadable in either the original red, the new graphite colour, or in the form of the high-performance 'Vision GT' edition.
In contrast with the 'road-going' FT-1, everything about the Vision GT in Gran Turismo 6 is larger; the wheels/tyres, (with wheelarches to match), cooling intakes, rear wing and rear diffuser are all larger. The FT-1 Vision GT also sports Canard wings at the front for improved downforce.
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Written byCarsales Staff
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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