Toyota has given the FT-HS hybrid sports car the green light

[JoeyW]

The June '07 print edition of Automobile is full of juicy information, and one of the more significant bits of news appears in a sidebar on page 30. According to the magazine, Toyota has given the FT-HS hybrid sports car the green light, and the Calty-designed production version will make its debut in 2009. It's being billed by Automobile as the spiritual successor to the late, lamented Supra -- a position that's hard to argue assuming you can look past the probable lack of an inline 6. Like the concept, the two-seat FT-HS will pair the company's Hybrid Synergy Drive with an as-yet-undetermined gasoline engine (the concept utilized a 3.5-liter V6). Power and pricing aren't discussed, but if the numbers thrown around when the concept was introduced -- 400 horses and mid-level dollar amounts -- are feasible, the thing should have plenty of takers.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/t...coming-in-2009

there is hope, while everyone is getting ugly (includes the impreza). Toyota is bring shekzi back

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[tg123]

I would gladly sell my evo for this.

[aren040]

Originally Posted by tg123

I would gladly sell my evo for this.

If this is going to be any type of a Supra successor then it will cost you. This is going to go up against the Nissan GTR and it should cost about the same. So dont be surprised to see 60,000 or 70,000 dollar price tags with markups of up to another 10,000 dollars.

In the end I think you can keep your Evo. This thing will cost about twice as much. There is no way on gods green earth that this thing is going to cost anywhere near 30 Grand to compete with your Evo or the STi.

[design1stcode2nd]

This has been discussed before. If Toyota intends to do it they are targeting "meid level" price meaning 30-40k.

Now teh real question is are they going to do it. I'll believe it when I see testing mules.

[aren040]

Originally Posted by design1stcode2nd

This has been discussed before. If Toyota intends to do it they are targeting "meid level" price meaning 30-40k.

Now teh real question is are they going to do it. I'll believe it when I see testing mules.

Unless Toyota released official documentation that this was going to be a 30K car, I would still question it. With 400 HP this would be competing against the Cobra, the S5, M3, and the most likely comparison would be the Vette. So in reality I can see this in the 40-50 market more than the 30 to 40 market.

[Skunkers]

Originally Posted by aren040

Unless Toyota released official documentation that this was going to be a 30K car, I would still question it. With 400 HP this would be competing against the Cobra, the S5, M3, and the most likely comparison would be the Vette. So in reality I can see this in the 40-50 market more than the 30 to 40 market.

More than anything, Toyota needs a 350Z/RX-8 Fighter. More than likely this will be offered like the Z. A high-$20K base model, up to a range topping $40K model with the hybrid-system.

Originally Posted by aren040

If this is going to be any type of a Supra successor then it will cost you. This is going to go up against the Nissan GTR and it should cost about the same. So dont be surprised to see 60,000 or 70,000 dollar price tags with markups of up to another 10,000 dollars.

In the end I think you can keep your Evo. This thing will cost about twice as much. There is no way on gods green earth that this thing is going to cost anywhere near 30 Grand to compete with your Evo or the STi.

Even if indeed this car is to be named Supra, it is not supposed to be competition for the GT-R. There's no way a N/A V-6+hybrid sports car will even come close to the performance of the 500hp twin turbo GT-R. While tunability-wise, the mkIV Supra was equal to the old Skyline GT-Rs, in stock form it was never meant to be in the same class. The JDM mkIV was only 280hp, while the GT-Rs were closer to 320-330hp (though only rated 280hp per gentlemen's agreement). The GT-Rs were far superior track machines and were more expensive. The USDM Supra was superior to the JDM Supra, boasting a better fuel system and more boost, upping power to 320hp stock.

Toyota will never in their right mind offer a 400hp hybrid sports car as competition to a 500hp AWD track machine. They already have the LF-A, IS-F, and rumored IS-F coupe to do that. The purpose of this car will likely be to up the ante against the lesser powered 350Z/370Z and RX-8, while offering affordable versions still in the same price range. As I said, their will likely be an N/A base model competitively priced, and a faster top-end hybrid model at the top of the line.

[rice h8r]

yay!!!

[tg123]

Originally Posted by aren040

If this is going to be any type of a Supra successor then it will cost you. This is going to go up against the Nissan GTR and it should cost about the same. So dont be surprised to see 60,000 or 70,000 dollar price tags with markups of up to another 10,000 dollars.

In the end I think you can keep your Evo. This thing will cost about twice as much. There is no way on gods green earth that this thing is going to cost anywhere near 30 Grand to compete with your Evo or the STi.

I am not really concerned with the car costing over 30k. I think this car will most likely be priced between the 350z and GT-R. I have a funny feeling that this car, if produced might be faster than the GT-R.

[design1stcode2nd]

If Toyota is anything they are savvy. They don’t always get it right on the first try (see Tundra) but when they enter the market they intend to be the industry leader in that market. They have other distribution channels to offer a high-priced sports car. If they make it I believe they will have a couple versions NA 6 and NA 6+Synergy Drive. As another posted said starting from base 350z or RX8 up to about 38k (Guessing the top level Evo X price).

Cars under 40k with 400hp or more:
Pontiac GTO
Dodge Charger SRT8
Dodge Magnum SRT8

Hell even a G37 will have around 330hp and be priced in the low 30k an it’s a luxury/sport car. The new G8 will be around 370hp and low to mid 30k as well. No reason the fire breathing 400hp Supra couldn’t be offered for around 35k. Even a BMW 335i starts at 38k.

All I can say is bring it:

Supra
STI
Evo
Camaro
Challenger
New Mustang
New RX8 or RX7
370z

A whole lot of performance coming soon and I for one applaud the competition regardless if its muscle car, pony car or sport compact. I’d rather see any of them on the road compared to an SUV or CamCord.

[r0bman]

Originally Posted by design1stcode2nd

If Toyota is anything they are savvy. They don’t always get it right on the first try (see Tundra) but when they enter the market they intend to be the industry leader in that market. They have other distribution channels to offer a high-priced sports car. If they make it I believe they will have a couple versions NA 6 and NA 6+Synergy Drive. As another posted said starting from base 350z or RX8 up to about 38k (Guessing the top level Evo X price).

Cars under 40k with 400hp or more:
Pontiac GTO
Dodge Charger SRT8
Dodge Magnum SRT8

Hell even a G37 will have around 330hp and be priced in the low 30k an it’s a luxury/sport car. The new G8 will be around 370hp and low to mid 30k as well. No reason the fire breathing 400hp Supra couldn’t be offered for around 35k. Even a BMW 335i starts at 38k.

All I can say is bring it:

Supra
STI
Evo
Camaro
Challenger
New Mustang
New RX8 or RX7
370z

A whole lot of performance coming soon and I for one applaud the competition regardless if its muscle car, pony car or sport compact. I’d rather see any of them on the road compared to an SUV or CamCord.

... Werd. Couldn't have put it better myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I got my STi when I did, but the next couple of years in the affordable sports car market are going to be fun to sit back and watch

[JC]

Originally Posted by tg123

I would gladly sell my evo for this.

I was thinking the same thing. It'll probably be a solid 3 years before you can get one without an insane mark up though.

[KrazyKarl]

is that a shaker hood?

looks pretty awesome. I too am pretty excited about the future of mid range sports cars here. it looks good.

[Balantz]

I'm thrilled there is FINALLY enough demand for hybrid/electric technology that we're seeing more options in different market segments every year. Although I, for one, think that if automakers had had the balls 10 years ago, we could have already shifted much of our self-transportation needs to drivetrains as technologically advanced as today's. "If you build it..."