Tokyo Preview: Toyota FT-EV II brings the tiny to T-town
Toyota FT-EV II Concept - Click above for image gallery
Perhaps Toyota has discovered that people are shrinking. The company's latest all-electric concept, the FT-EV II, will make its world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. What's amazing about the FT-EV II is that it is "more compact than ultra-compact "iQ", but still with seating for four," according to Toyota. As you are doubtlessly aware, the iQ is not exactly a large vehicle. Toyota says that elimination of traditional vehicle remnants, like brake and acceleration pedals, gives the interior more room than might be expected.
In any case, the FT-EV II gets down to the essentials of a city-use electric vehicle. It's only got a range of 90 km (56 miles) and a top speed of 62 mph. Futuristic touches in the FT-EV II concept include drive-by-wire joystick controls, a dye-sensitized solar panel, electric sliding doors and see-through LED rear combination taillights. Toyota says that the EV is "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." We like.
Gallery: Toyota FT-EV II
[Source: Toyota]
PRESS RELEASE:
FT-EV II Electric Vehicle that Envisions the Future Mobility Society
The FT-EV II, which stands for "Future Toyota Electric Vehicle II", is a concept car that was created from the core technology of the Toyota Hybrid System in the pursuit of the ultimate environmentally-considerate vehicle. Its lithium-ion battery provides a cruising range in excess of 90km on a full charge, which is more than enough for everyday use, and a maximum speed in excess of 100km/h. Since it is an electric vehicle, naturally it is an environmentally-considerate vehicle that produces absolutely no CO2 emissions while driving.
A distinctive, compact body with bright exterior colors has been designed in accordance with Vibrant Clarity, Toyota-brand design philosophy. The compact exterior and retro-futuristic interior feature designs that evoke images of the future.
The vehicle has no steering wheel or foot pedals-symbols of vehicle performance. In addition, it has not been designed simply as a means of transport, but instead based on the premise of collaboration with communications functions, a concept that differs from earlier vehicles. The console incorporates communications functions to achieve a more seamless link with information, expressing the new vehicle concept of the electric vehicle as an information device.
Enhanced communications functions enable the linking of individual drivers' information on a network, allowing the vehicle to connect with services that go beyond car navigation, such as recommending information tailored to the individual's preferences and downloading music and movie content. Furthermore, the vehicle can connect to home networks to play a role in storing energy and saving large volumes of data, making the vehicle a new information device in the networked society of the future.
The FT-EV II is not simply an electric vehicle designed for a post-fossil fuel era, but is a sustainable concept car that focuses on the relationship between cars, people and society of the future.
The FT-EV II is primarily designed for short-distance travel and is positioned as a commuter vehicle for urban use, but as it integrates communications, it will become a device that can provide completely new links between vehicles and people.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
NeilBlanchard 1:09PM (10/06/2009)
Hello,
I'm guessing that it is because the electric drive train is more compact and/or that it is easier to configure within the car -- that allows it to have more passenger space in a small package.
I like it, too; and I hope that all the new features do not delay its debut!
Sincerely, Neil
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NeilBlanchard 1:13PM (10/06/2009)
...and it has video mirrors for the side views -- check out the LCD screens on the side of the dashboard. :-)
gerrrg 3:35PM (10/07/2009)
No doubt.
Without the need for a large engine compartment, they are able to fully stretch out the wheel base to the edges and place the electric motor and batteries below the floor.
Yanquetino 1:29PM (10/06/2009)
Methinks this is actually part of Toyota's ploy to decry EVs as impractical, "punishment cars."
It is the same reverse psychology of the old EV1 commercials that "advertised" it in a setting that resembled the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust.
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Throwback 2:44PM (10/06/2009)
You are not serious are you?
jake 3:09PM (10/06/2009)
@Throwback
He has a point though. So far Toyota and Honda has been against BEVs as normal cars. They want to delegate BEVs as city cars and HFCV as normal cars. That is why their only BEVs are small city cars. Remember in the late 90s, Toyota's stance was completely different (they had the RAV4EV which was a lot bigger than this car). I'm guessing they are only releasing these BEVs because HFCVs won't be ready for market before 2015 and they need something for the CARB's ZEV quota. Certainly not anywhere near Nissan's push for BEVs or GM's push for EREVs (if they were serious they can totally build a Highlander EV or a Clarity EV).
Given that though, at least it looks decent given Smart cars are getting popular.
Reality Hurts 1:59PM (10/06/2009)
OMG... this easily is the second ugliest EV. Come on Toyota, I know you want to show EV's are worthless, but this is pretty pathetic...
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Mark Kiernan 2:17PM (10/06/2009)
Look it seats 4, it gets 90km range, it can be parked almost anywhere and it has the safety and reliability of Toyota, the design isn't bad at all, what more do you want from a city car?
mycomya 3:19PM (10/06/2009)
>what more do you want from a city car?
Uh... how about one that is actually ready to be built.
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Nick From Montreal 3:27PM (10/06/2009)
Common Toyota! All you have to do is put a damn plug and a bigger battery on the Prius. At 6'2", there's no way I'm fitting in this go-cart. Grrr.
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Laurens 4:16PM (10/06/2009)
Maybe in a car share scheme, otherwise I don't really see the point, when public transportation and/or cycling are available. Unless it is intended for the elderly.
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SumideXE 4:29PM (10/06/2009)
Seats 4 .... well, 4 Filipinos.
Jesus. Stop trying to fit 4 people into a minimalistic electric car, car makers. I'm sure even a Japanese person would feel cramped in a car like that.
Why not just electrify the IQ? or have they done that already..
I like the mini cooper approach. I also think tandem seating ( 1 + 1 ) is not a design crime. Sucks for couples, but do you really go on a long roadtrip in an EV anyway..
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mike 8:09PM (10/06/2009)
My first thought was that I like the increased front viewing area with the lower sub-windshield areas.
But on second thought I wonder how they'd be kept clean...
Overall some interesting stuff though.
I am not sure I would like joystick control - but maybe that is just years and years of pedal talking.
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mike 8:16PM (10/06/2009)
Actually - it might be nice if my shoes just had pressure sensors so I could use the pressure of my toe or heel in either shoe to break or gas it up - all fly by wire-lessly like.
Just like driving now but sans those pesky space-hogging pedals.
It could just be modular with a licensing/approval system for the shoe companies to work with the vehicles.
Standards based of course....
Need a seriously robust real time management system to work - and a lot of faith in it....
But hell.. they do it with fighter jets so why not tiny, tiny cars.
That's what I ask myself.
Chris M 4:08AM (10/07/2009)
Weird looking steering wheel with "joystick" controls? check. This is yet another concept that will not go into production.
While Toyota may eventually produce and sell an "EV city car" similar to this, it will not have such a weird steering wheel, will have conventional pedals, and will probably be a bit bigger both inside and outside. Oh, and will probably have the range bumped up a bit, probably to 70 or 80 miles.
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Pudgie 9:35AM (10/07/2009)
This news is disappointing.
I was hoping that Toyota's next EV concept would be a version of the production BEV that is supposed to have a range of 93 miles (150 km):
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/report-electric-toyota-iq-to-get-bespoke-body
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