Toyota FT-Se concept could be an MR2 for the electric age

Toyota says its high-performance FT-Se concept combines the expertise gained by Gazoo Racing with an electric powertrain, and has pitched it as “one of the options for sports cars in the carbon-neutral era”.

The company says it shares major components with the FT-3e electric crossover concept that also took the stage today at the Tokyo motor show.

However, it hasn’t revealed any technical specifications. It has, however, said it set out to create a car “that continues to grow with the driver through software updates”.

The two-seater FT-Se is low, wide and sleek, with proportions evocative of a mid-engined vehicle – like Toyota’s own MR2 of yore.

It also features different, arguably smoother styling to the GR Sports EV Toyota teased in December 2021.

Up front, there are bold vertical LED daytime running lights that run from the base of the bumper up to the bonnet, as well as an aggressive front bumper.

There are bulging front fenders and sharp ones at the rear, with a similarly aggressive rear bumper treatment and lighting elements that curve downwards and run across almost the entire width of the vehicle.

A ducktail spoiler juts out at the rear.

Inside, it’s even more radical with an unusual, net-like material found on the minimalist centre stack, wrapping over to the door panels.

The material is finished in blue, like the seats. Other distinctive materials include what appears to be a mix of suede and carbon-fibre surfaces.

Toyota says its newly designed kneepads protect the body from G-forces during driving.

Before the driver is a steering yoke, flanked by a pair of small portrait-oriented screens. A digital instrument cluster sits almost at the base of the windscreen, and Toyota says the low instrument panel profile ensures high visibility.

It’s unclear whether Toyota plans to put this vehicle into production. The company has been rumoured to be reviving the MR2, although reports pointed to a petrol powertrain.

What do you think of the FT-Se concept? Let us know in the comments.

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